The North-Central leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned against what it described as politically motivated attacks on party leaders by unregistered groups. The party specifically denounced recent criticisms directed at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and reaffirmed its confidence in him and the five APC governors in the zone.
In a statement released on Saturday, February 7, in Abuja, APC National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, and the party’s Zonal Secretary, Yakubu Adamu, strongly criticised what they termed “unwarranted attacks” on Akume. The party leadership attributed the criticisms to a group that, according to them, is neither registered nor officially recognised.
"The attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North-Central, has been drawn to the activities of some unregistered and unrecognised support groups who are using the name of the party in the zone to attack, insult, and disparage the persons, characters, and reputations of some eminent leaders of the party in the zone on the media," the statement read.
The party leadership insisted that only the officially recognised zonal leadership, as sanctioned by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), has the mandate to speak on matters concerning the party in the North-Central region.
The North-Central APC reaffirmed its backing for Akume, who previously served as the governor of Benue State, and described those behind the attacks as politically sponsored elements attempting to create division within the party.
Additionally, the party leadership passed a vote of confidence in the five APC governors from the region, commending their performance and contributions to governance.
“All our governors in the zone have remained shining stars in delivering dividends of democracy to our people,” the statement added.
Beyond expressing confidence in its zonal leaders, the North-Central APC leadership also extended its support to the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Rijau commended the national leadership’s efforts in steering the party and assured continued loyalty to the party’s central authority.
The party urged all members and supporters in the zone to remain united, while warning against further attacks on its leaders.