By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC-APC) forum has called on Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, to stop playing what it described as a “double game” and publicly declare where he stands, whether in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or aligned with elements opposed to the president.
In a statement on Saturday by its chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the forum expressed disapproval over recent comments by Governor Sule concerning the political direction of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC.
The CPC, one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC, has recently been at the centre of speculation, with some of its prominent members reportedly being courted by an emerging opposition coalition spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
In April, former Nasarawa Governor Tanko Al-Makura led a group of CPC bloc leaders—including former Katsina Governor Bello Masari—to publicly pledge their loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC, distancing themselves from the alleged coalition.
However, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, pushed back against the Al-Makura-led declaration, asserting that only the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s camp could determine the CPC bloc’s political direction.
Governor Sule echoed Malami’s view during a reception in Lafia on May 3, stating that only Buhari could speak on behalf of the CPC.
“There is only one person in this world who can decide for the CPC, and that is our father, Muhammadu Buhari. He is the CPC. When he speaks, the CPC moves,” Sule said, citing Buhari’s loyal 12 million voter base.
In response, the North-Central APC Forum said Sule’s comments reveal a contradiction and signal a possible opposition to the bloc’s endorsement of Tinubu, as led by Al-Makura, his immediate predecessor.
“It is now evident that Governor Sule does not support the CPC bloc’s alignment with President Tinubu. His statements suggest he is undermining the stance taken by Al-Makura and other respected leaders,” the Forum stated.
The Forum further emphasised that no one could claim more authority over the CPC legacy than Al-Makura, the only governor ever elected on the CPC platform before the party’s merger into the APC.
They argued that his role gave the CPC significant leverage during merger negotiations that led to Buhari’s presidency in 2015.
“If anyone represents the CPC legacy, it is Al-Makura, not even President Buhari, who couldn’t deliver a governor on the CPC platform in his home State of Katsina,” the statement said.
The Forum cautioned Governor Sule against working in tandem with individuals trying to destabilise the Tinubu administration, calling on him to clarify his position.
“We are forced to believe that Governor Sule is collaborating with those who do not want Tinubu’s government to succeed. He needs to stop sending mixed signals and decide where he stands.”
They also argued that Sule’s continued commentary on the CPC’s political trajectory was unnecessary, especially since he was not part of the party’s formative years or the APC merger negotiations.
The Forum noted Governor Sule’s cautious stance on some of the administration’s initiatives, such as the tax reforms, referencing his public remarks in October 2024 about the challenges posed by the reforms to Nigerians.
“As stakeholders from the North-Central region who have endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in 2027, we commend the Al-Makura-led CPC bloc for standing firm with Mr. President and rejecting the opposition coalition.
“We see this coalition as a self-serving alliance aimed at reversing the progress made since May 29, 2023,” the Forum noted.
It added that the loyalty of CPC leaders to Tinubu had already been declared and that ongoing attempts to discredit or diminish that endorsement only serve to create unnecessary confusion.
“The likes of Abdullahi Sule and Abubakar Malami cannot simultaneously oppose Tinubu’s endorsement and claim allegiance to his presidency.
“If they are truly with the President, they should fall in line and join other progressives working for the success of his administration and his reelection in 2027,” the Forum noted.