The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called on Bola Tinubu to ensure that only credible candidates emerge as national officers of the party at its forthcoming national convention.
The APC national convention is scheduled to hold between March 27 and 28, 2026, during which members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including the national chairman, will be elected.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the APC North-Central said the party must embark on wide consultations to produce experienced and reputable individuals with proven track records to occupy positions in the NWC.
The forum urged the president to lead a thorough vetting process to ensure that those elected at the convention possess the capacity and experience required to manage the affairs of the party.
According to the statement, the national chairman of the APC should be a statesman of considerable age and experience, rather than “an inexperienced fellow who has not acquired the experience to manage the affairs of a political party with so many prominent, distinguished personalities.”
The forum noted that the recent growth of the APC, following the defection of several opposition governors into the party along with their political structures, has made competent leadership essential.
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“The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum is urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure the election of a credible national leadership for the party at the forthcoming national convention,” the statement said.
It added that the APC is home to many prominent politicians who have served, or are still serving, at the highest levels of governance, stressing that electing the best leaders from such a pool should not be negotiable.
No Excuse Allowed in National Convention
The forum warned that there should be no excuse for errors at the national convention, reiterating its call on the president to oversee a vetting process that would guarantee the emergence of capable national officers.
It further stated that credible leadership of the party should comprise individuals with the right mix of age, leadership experience, track record, national acceptability, wide networks and resources.
“We urge the President to ensure that credible people are elected to occupy all the positions in the National Working Committee. We don’t want people who will commercialise the party by only looking out for their personal interests,” the statement said.
The forum also maintained that academic qualifications should not be a major factor in choosing the party’s national chairman, arguing that political sagacity and capacity are more important.
The group insisted that individuals who failed to deliver their polling units, wards, or local government areas for the party in previous elections should not be considered, while also cautioning against the influence of religious sentiment in the selection process.
“Leading APC is not about speaking grammar or parading academic qualifications; it is about capacity to deliver,” the forum said, adding that the party’s national chairman must be non-sectional and committed to serving Nigerians of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
The statement concluded by urging the president to ensure that religion does not play a role in the choice of the APC national chairman, stressing that the interest of Nigeria should remain paramount.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
