Governor Sule Under Fire: Align With Tinubu Or Face Fallout, Insiders Warn

A political coalition within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s North Central region has called on Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, to openly declare his support for President Bola Tinubu and his expected 2027 re-election bid—or clearly define his political allegiance.

The group, operating under the banner of the North Central APC Forum, issued the demand following Governor Sule’s recent remarks about the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which had merged into the APC. His comments have raised questions regarding his loyalty amid shifting alliances within the party.

Amid these political realignments, reports suggest some CPC-affiliated politicians are being courted by a rising opposition coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

In contrast, former Nasarawa Governor Tanko Al-Makura—widely regarded as a key figure in the CPC’s legacy—led a delegation of CPC veterans in April to publicly declare their backing for Tinubu and the APC, distancing themselves from any opposition moves.

However, that declaration was later contested by former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, who argued that only ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he represents, has the authority to steer the CPC bloc’s political direction.

At a public event in Lafia on May 3, 2025, Governor Sule echoed Malami’s stance, saying:

“There is only one person in this world that can decide for the CPC, and that is our father, Muhammadu Buhari… He is the CPC himself. Wherever he goes, his 12 million loyal voters follow.”

This assertion sparked concern from the North Central APC Forum. Its chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, criticized Sule’s statement, asserting that it contradicts the CPC bloc’s publicly stated support for Tinubu under Al-Makura’s leadership.

The Forum emphasized that Al-Makura, being the only individual ever elected governor under the CPC platform and a central figure in the APC’s formation, holds substantial legitimacy.

“No one can claim to be more CPC than Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura,” the group said. “His status as the sole CPC-elected governor gave the party significant negotiating power during the APC merger talks.”

They cautioned Governor Sule against making further remarks about the CPC’s political alignment and insisted that Al-Makura’s support for Tinubu should be recognized as the bloc’s official position.

“We urge Governor Sule to make his stand clear—either he is with President Bola Tinubu or not. If he supports the President, he should align with other progressives working to ensure the administration’s success and re-election in 2027,” the Forum stressed.

Citing Governor Sule’s past criticisms of some of Tinubu’s policies, the group further questioned his commitment to the current administration.

In contrast, the Forum commended Al-Makura and other CPC-aligned figures for their unwavering loyalty to Tinubu and confidence in his leadership.

“As stakeholders of the North Central who have endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, we salute the Al-Makura-led CPC bloc for standing firmly with the President,” the statement concluded.