By Israel Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to stop giving audience to opposition governors accused of harassing and intimidating party members in their states.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Salleh Zazzaga, said Tinubu and his inner circle should “stop entertaining” such governors, insisting they do not mean well for the President or the APC.
Although the Forum did not name names, several opposition governors—including Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau—are known to enjoy close access to Tinubu. Adeleke and Soludo, both facing off-cycle governorship elections, have even hinted that the President is backing their second-term bids.
The Forum accused the governors of exploiting Tinubu’s large-heartedness while undermining the APC in their home states.
“They say nice things when they meet Mr President, but when they go back to their states, they do a different thing altogether,” Zazzaga said. “They use the instruments of government to frustrate law-abiding APC members. Some even go as far as demolishing or threatening to demolish properties belonging to our members.”
According to the Forum, such actions are demoralising for APC members, particularly in opposition-controlled states where governors allegedly drop Tinubu’s name to claim presidential endorsement.
“Continuing to entertain these governors would give the wrong impression that President Bola Tinubu supports their victimisation of APC members,” the statement said. “We urge Mr President to withdraw the access and unmerited privileges being enjoyed by these deceitful opposition governors.”
The Forum further called on Tinubu to warn the governors against victimising APC members, stressing that they should either join the ruling party or stop pretending to support the President while weakening the APC.
“If they wish to defect, they should join the APC and become part of the family,” it added. “Ahead of the off-cycle elections and 2027, Mr President should focus all attention on APC members.”
