In a strongly worded statement issued by the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the group expressed displeasure over Sule’s recent comments regarding the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC. Sule had stated at a May 3 event in Lafia that only former President Muhammadu Buhari could speak for the CPC bloc, seemingly downplaying an earlier pledge of loyalty to President Tinubu made by CPC leaders led by former Nasarawa governor Tanko Al-Makura.
Zazzaga noted that Sule’s remarks contradicted the position of Al-Makura and other CPC stalwarts, who in April publicly declared their support for President Tinubu and distanced themselves from an opposition coalition allegedly being promoted by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“The North-Central APC Forum is asking Governor Abdullahi Sule to make his position clear,” the statement read. “He should say whether he is with those working against President Bola Tinubu or stand with the President and support his administration sincerely.”
The Forum highlighted Tanko Al-Makura’s unique position in CPC history, recalling that he was the only governor ever elected under the party’s platform, a distinction they argued gives him legitimacy to speak for the CPC bloc.
They also took aim at Sule’s previous criticisms of Tinubu’s policy reforms, including his remarks from October 2024 about the economic hardships caused by the administration’s tax reforms. The Forum argued that such positions indicate a lack of full commitment to the Tinubu presidency.
The Forum further alleged that Sule did not support Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries and has since shown signs of disloyalty by associating with figures opposed to the current administration.
“We are forced to believe that Governor Abdullahi Sule is working with those who do not want the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” the Forum asserted.
Reaffirming their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, the Forum commended Al-Makura and other CPC leaders for standing by the President, stating that any attempts to dispute their endorsement only serve to undermine party unity.
They concluded by advising Sule and others aligned with former President Buhari’s camp to “fall in line with other progressives” and back Tinubu’s administration for the sake of continuity and progress.
