By David Lawani, Abuja
Ahead of its February 26 national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there are palpable confusions over the purported decision of governors of the party to zone the national chairmanship to the North-Central zone.

A section of the media had on Wednesday quoted insider sources as saying the governors also agreed to zone the office of the national secretary to the South-East.

Multiple other party sources have disclosed that the governors never concluded on the issue of zoning.

Though many spoke in support of zoning the chairmanship position to North-Central, a close source at the forum told ThisNigeria yesterday that it was not yet concluded.

He said, “The governors met, but they could not resolve on the zoning. It is after they have convinced the southern governors, and they have accepted it that we can say the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has zoned the position.

“If anyone tells you anything otherwise, let him mention the names of the governors in that meeting, and also mention whoever addressed the press.

“In such meetings, the chairman of the PGF would address the press and open up on the decision of his forum. But for now, nothing like that.”

According to sources, the PGF has the right to suggest to the committee or proffer advice, just like any other group or organ in the party, “but the governors had not written to the committee on zoning.

“I understand their Tuesday’s meeting on zoning ended in deadlock, so don’t let anyone deceive you. Come to think of it, why would they zone a position to North-Central and sat there immediately and picked only one aspirant?

“Is Akume the only aspirant from North-Central? Why would they ask those from the South to go home and meet with aspirants and bring candidates for deputy national chairman and secretary, but in the case of chairmanship, they said they have picked a particular person?

“I don’t believe such cock and bull story and I think nobody would even believe it. We have channels of communication at our party. APC is a ruling party that has everything. The Progressive Governors that I know, are very experienced and principled. They would not want to send such a sensitive message to the CECPC via pages of newspapers.

“They have the right, like any other organs of the party, to advise the planning committee, but nothing like that has happened. We are working diligently to see that the convention holds and with a credible outing too”, the source added.

•PGF divided into four camps
Meanwhile, there are also indications that the Progressives Governors Forum has been polarised into four camps.

A House of Assembly aspirant from Benue State, Edwin Ochogwu, stated this yesterday.

Ochogwu was quoted to have said, “The PGF is divided into three to four camps and the news could be the latest mischief by one of the groups to deceive other members of the PGF and the general public.”

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•SGF tasks party faithful on unity
In another development, ahead of the convention, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has called on members of the party to unite.

Mustapha, represented by an APC chieftain, Mr Nuhu Maksha, made the call during the launch of an empowerment programme by a member of the House of Representatives representing Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Buba (APC).

The SGF said the call had become imperative to help the party members and supporters gear up for victory ahead of the convention and the 2023 general elections.

“We should empower our people from the grassroots up to the national levels so that as a party, we will find it easy to succeed in the forthcoming elections.

According to him, “Because, a single broom cannot sweep until it unites as a bunch, only then will we be able to achieve our goals and remain victorious.

“I, therefore, call on all APC members to eschew personal interests and look at the larger picture and interest of the party, to enable us to establish a government in Adamawa and continue in Aso Rock,’’ Mustapha said.

In his remarks, Buba said the empowerment programme was meant to support traditional rulers, party chieftains, as well as women and youths from the constituency.