Concerned North Central Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said it has commenced broad-based consultations to get a suitable replacement for the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Ganduje had recently resigned over alleged ill health.

A statement issued on Friday by the coordinator and convenor of the group, Mohammed Etsu, reaffirmed the commitment of the stakeholders to the progress, unity, and sustainability of the APC.

He said the outcome of the consultation will be presented to President Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party at the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting scheduled to hold on July 24.

“We believe this moment presents a historic opportunity for the North Central zone to reclaim the position of National Chairman in the spirit of fairness, zoning balance, and recognition of the zone’s consistent loyalty and contributions to the growth of the party since inception.

“We are currently engaging party elders, elected officials, youth and women’s groups, and strategic power blocs within the zone and across other geopolitical regions to arrive at a credible, unifying, and visionary candidate who reflects the ideals of the founding fathers of the APC and who can rebuild internal cohesion and electoral strength ahead of 2027,” Mr Etsu said.

“Our position is guided by the urgent need to restore confidence in the national leadership of the party and to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in delivering his Renewed Hope Agenda without internal distractions.

“We assure all party faithful and Nigerians that the North Central zone is ready and capable of producing a consensus-based, experienced, and nationally respected figure for the chairmanship role.

“The outcome of our consultations will be presented to Mr. President, the National Working Committee,NWC, and the National Executive Committee,NEC, of the APC in due course.”