The North-Central APC Forum has firmly stated that it will not join any coalition against President Bola Tinubu, distancing itself from alliances involving the North-East and North-West.

This comes amid speculation that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, and Labour Party?s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are allegedly planning to unite against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The rumors intensified after the opposition figures openly criticized Tinubu?s administration and the APC at the recent National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, held in Abuja.

However, in a statement on Saturday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum emphasized that the North-Central region has learned from past experiences, particularly its treatment under former President Muhammadu Buhari?s administration.

Zazzaga explained that the Forum?s stance stems from the North-Central?s past experiences, where, despite playing a key role in the APC?s formation and Buhari?s 2015 victory, the region was marginalized in governance, infrastructure, and security.

He noted that Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State was the only sitting opposition governor who actively contributed to the APC merger.

Yet, once in power, Buhari?s administration overlooked the region, denying it key positions like the Speaker of the House of Representatives and failing to address its developmental and security concerns.

With Tinubu at the helm, according to the party chieftain, the Forum believes the North-Central now has a fairer shot at national relevance and will not repeat past mistakes.

Emphasizing that aligning with those who previously excluded the region is not an option, Zazzaga affirmed that, instead, the Forum is committed to ensuring the region secures a stronger political and developmental future under Tinubu?s leadership.

Distancing the North-Central from the coalition, Zazzaga said, ?Whatever Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai are doing is for their own benefit, not even in the interest of the North-East and North-West.

?Nigerians should also bear in mind that all these politicians who are attacking President Bola Tinubu today are just frustrated individuals who are angry that they are not part of the government.

?They will be singing a different song if they are part of the government.

?We restate our position that no magic would make President Bola Tinubu lose his bid for reelection in 2027, not even the alliance and coalition of these political leaders.

?We are confident that Nigerians will once again chose the APC government in the next election because of the good performance of President Bola Tinubu?s administration.

?However, the North-Central APC Forum wishes to make it clear that the North-Central zone will not be part of any coalition with the North-East and the North-West.

?It is very imperative that we make this point because we have observed that the planned coalition is being championed by politicians from these two zones ? His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the North-East and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from the North-West.? (The Nation)

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