The North-Central wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly rebuked former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami for his opposition to statements made by Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that Al-Makura, who leads a faction of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) aligned with President Bola Tinubu, asserted that his group would not join the new coalition being formed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Malami’s comments, made through his media aide, have sparked controversy within the party.
In his statement, Malami claimed that only the faction of the CPC loyal to former President Muhammadu Buhari has the authority to decide on coalition matters, dismissing Al-Makura’s faction as lacking legitimacy. However, the North-Central APC Forum responded on Saturday, labeling Malami’s remarks as unfounded and asserting that he is unqualified to represent the CPC faction. The Forum praised Al-Makura’s faction for rejecting the opposition coalition.
Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, criticized Malami’s credibility, referencing the controversies that marred his tenure as Minister of Justice under Buhari. The Forum stated that Nigerians are uninterested in Malami’s opinions, highlighting his role in the perceived failures of the Buhari administration, particularly regarding corruption and economic policies.
The Forum accused Malami of undermining the fight against corruption during his time in office, specifically pointing to his influence in the appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They argued that Malami’s actions have had lasting negative effects on the country, including the devaluation of the naira, which has exacerbated financial hardships for many Nigerians.
The North-Central APC Forum also asserted that President Tinubu does not require Malami or his allies to secure victory in the upcoming 2027 elections. They expressed concerns about Malami’s loyalty, suggesting that his previous lack of support for Tinubu during the 2023 elections indicates a potential collaboration with opposition forces against the current administration.