….As North-West, South-East seek chairmanship, secretaryship slots
Ahead of next month’s national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), concerned stakeholders of the party have called for the retention of its existing zoning formula, describing it as vital to unity, inclusiveness and internal harmony.
The stakeholders said the zoning arrangement remains a critical stabilising mechanism as preparations for the convention intensify.
Under the current formula, the office of the National Chairman is zoned to the North Central, while the position of National Secretary is zoned to the South-West. However, there are concerns that some party elements are pushing for the chairmanship to be moved to the North-West and the secretaryship to the South-East.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja after an emergency meeting, the convener of the Concerned APC Stakeholders Forum, Dr Dominic Alancha, said the forum considered it “patriotic and timely” to clearly state its position on issues capable of affecting the stability, unity and electoral fortunes of the party.
Alancha said zoning has “remained a stabilising mechanism that promotes inclusiveness, fairness, national balance and a sense of belonging among the diverse components of our party and the federation,” warning that any attempt to alter or abandon the arrangement could “generate unnecessary tensions and weaken internal harmony.”
He therefore urged the National Executive Committee (NEC), President Bola Tinubu, party elders and other stakeholders to uphold the existing zoning formula “in the interest of unity, equity and justice.” He also called for micro-zoning within geopolitical zones to further strengthen the party at the state level.
The forum also endorsed the continuation of the current national leadership of the party, backing Professor Nentawe Yilwatda to remain as APC National Chairman.
According to the stakeholders, the party has enjoyed notable stability under Yilwatda’s leadership, citing progress in internal reconciliation, improved party administration, membership expansion and strategic repositioning ahead of future elections.
They argued that leadership continuity would enable the chairman to consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen institutional memory and discipline, and better prepare the party for upcoming electoral challenges.
“It is our firm belief that retaining experienced leadership at the head of our party will give exemplary visibility to the APC as the leading progressive political party in Nigeria,” the forum stated.
In a related development, Alancha formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC.
He said his aspiration is driven by a commitment to strengthening party communication, engagement, grassroots mobilisation and image management in line with modern public communication practices.
He said that if elected, he would prioritise effective communication of the party’s policies and programmes to Nigerians and party members, while seeking the support and guidance of stakeholders to achieve his vision.
The forum appealed to APC members and stakeholders to place the collective interest of the party above personal ambitions, insisting that retaining the zoning formula, ensuring leadership continuity and supporting capable hands would make the APC stronger, more united and better positioned to deliver good governance under President Tinubu.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and its leadership, expressing continued belief in the ideals of the party and commitment to its success.
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