APC elders hail Tinubu, Matawalle as eight Zamfara lawmakers return to party

The Northern Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, following reports that eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have returned to the ruling party.

The forum said the development could help resolve internal disputes and strengthen the APC’s political structure in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers reportedly agreed to return to the party after discussions with Matawalle, who has been leading efforts to reconcile aggrieved members and consolidate the APC’s presence in the North-West.

The minister was also said to have presented the lawmakers to Tinubu after they reaffirmed their allegiance to the president and the party.

In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, praised Tinubu for encouraging dialogue and reconciliation among party stakeholders.

“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly role and commitment to promoting reconciliation within the party, despite his tight schedule. His leadership and willingness to encourage dialogue remain crucial to strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Abubakar said.

He also commended Matawalle for his role in the reconciliation process, saying his efforts were important to restoring confidence among party members and preventing further divisions.

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“We equally commend the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for his dedication, energy and efforts towards reconciling aggrieved members and strengthening the APC’s political structure in Zamfara State and the North-West,” he added.

The elders said the lawmakers’ return could help the party rebuild internal cohesion, strengthen its grassroots structures and improve its preparations for the next electoral cycle.

However, the forum urged the APC leadership to sustain its reconciliation efforts and address the grievances of other aggrieved members.

“We appeal to all stakeholders in the North, particularly in the North-West, to embrace genuine reconciliation, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence,” the statement said.

“Party unity must go beyond the return of elected officials; it must involve building trust and ensuring that every stakeholder has a sense of belonging.”

The forum also urged APC leaders to maintain dialogue and consultation, noting that lasting unity would require a collective commitment to resolving disputes and accommodating differing interests within the party.

It expressed confidence that a united APC would be better positioned to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and strengthen its political influence across the North-West.

Matawalle governed Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023 before joining the APC and remains a key political figure in the region.

The reported return of the eight lawmakers comes as the APC seeks to consolidate its political structure and resolve internal disagreements ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the durability of the reconciliation effort will depend on the party’s ability to address outstanding grievances and maintain unity beyond the lawmakers’ return.