By Awwal Umar Kontagora The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has criticized the party's National Vice Cha...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has criticized the party's National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Muazu Bawa Rijau, over his claims that "faceless" support groups are being sponsored to attack the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
In a statement jointly signed with the North-Central Zonal Secretary, Yakubu Adamu, on Saturday, Rijau had warned that legal action would be taken against those attacking Akume, stating that such acts would no longer be tolerated.
Although Rijau did not specifically mention the APC North-Central Forum, the group had previously criticized the SGF over alleged lopsided appointments and his failure to properly represent the interests of the North-Central region. The Forum had also accused Akume of sponsoring attacks against Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, warning that such actions could cost the APC its stronghold in the state.
Forum Questions Rijau’s Allegiance
Responding on Sunday, the APC North-Central Forum, in a statement by its chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, noted that Rijau was not even a member of the APC when the Forum was officially registered as a recognized support group within the party.
The Forum has been at the forefront of advocating for the North-Central to produce the party’s national chairman in line with zoning arrangements. As part of this push, the group had previously demanded the removal or resignation of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje in favor of a North-Central candidate. However, the Forum later suspended its calls for Ganduje’s removal.
The group accused Rijau of aligning with the SGF against Governor Alia, claiming that his initial support for Ganduje’s removal was self-serving, as he allegedly harbored ambitions of becoming national chairman himself.
"Rijau was not even a member of the APC when the North-Central APC Forum was registered as a support group of the party," the statement read.
"When we called for the resignation or removal of Abdullahi Ganduje to allow a North-Central candidate to take over, Rijau remained silent because he was interested in taking the position himself.
"When a calculated move was made to sideline the Benue State governor—the only Christian APC governor in North-Central Nigeria—Rijau said nothing.
"But now that the North-Central APC Forum has taken a stand to protect the party’s unity and ensure that no one, no matter how highly placed, undermines the governor of Benue State, Rijau has suddenly decided to speak."
The Forum also accused Rijau of working closely with the dissolved APC chairman in Benue, Austin Agada, whom it described as a “stooge” of the SGF.
Call for Rijau’s Resignation
According to the Forum, Rijau’s recent statements indicate that he does not fully understand his role as the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-Central).
"If Rijau is claiming that the APC North-Central Forum is being sponsored to attack certain individuals, then does that mean he was sponsoring us when we demanded Ganduje’s removal?" the statement questioned.
"As the Vice Chairman (North-Central), he should not take sides or engage in actions that could destabilize the party in the zone. His role is to accommodate all interests and mediate disputes, not to serve personal or sectional interests."
The Forum emphasized that its criticisms of the SGF had always been constructive and aimed at strengthening the APC in the region.
"Unlike Rijau, we have been on the ground, keeping the party united and calling for peace and progress in the North-Central," the statement added.
"We Are Not Afraid of Legal Action"
In response to Rijau’s threat of legal action, the Forum made it clear that it would not be intimidated.
"We are ready for any legal action. Nobody can stop us from fighting for the good of the APC in the North-Central and the nation as a whole," the Forum asserted.
"The party belongs to its members, not a select few self-serving officials. We are not afraid."
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