The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cease holding audiences with governors from opposition parties who, they allege, harass and intimidate APC members within their states.
In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Salleh Zazzaga, accused these governors of using their access to the President to mislead him while undermining the APC and its members at home.
Although the statement did not name specific individuals, opposition governors such as Ademola Adeleke (Osun, Peoples Democratic Party), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra, All Progressives Grand Alliance), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau, PDP) are known to enjoy close ties with President Tinubu. Adeleke and Soludo are currently seeking re-election in upcoming off-cycle elections and have publicly suggested that the President supports their bids, even when running against APC candidates.
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Zazzaga criticised these governors for “pretending to be nice” in the President’s presence but working “against the interests of Mr President and the APC” once they return to their states. He alleged that opposition governors use state machinery to intimidate APC members by harassing them, demolishing or threatening their properties, and generally frustrating their businesses.
The Forum warned that such actions are demoralising for APC members and called on President Tinubu to withdraw access and privileges extended to these governors. They urged the President to concentrate his efforts on APC members and to demand that opposition governors either defect to the APC or cease their deceptive behaviour.
“This is not acceptable and should not be allowed to continue,” the statement said, adding that continued engagement with these governors risks giving the impression that President Tinubu endorses the victimisation of APC members.
The North-Central APC Forum further urged Tinubu to call the governors to order ahead of upcoming elections and focus on strengthening the party, insisting that any governor wishing to be part of the APC should formally defect rather than “telling nice things” while working against the party behind his back.
