Sule, Alia, Mutfwang tighten APC’s grip in North Central ahead of 2027

Governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State have recorded significant political gains ahead of the 2027 elections, reinforcing their influence within the All Progressives Congress as internal alignments and screening exercises intensify.

While Governor Sule continues to consolidate support in Nasarawa amid rising political tensions over succession and his senatorial ambition, Governors Alia and Mutfwang have successfully scaled the APC screening process ahead of the party’s governorship primaries, a development widely interpreted by political observers as a major boost to their standing within the ruling party.

Governor Alia of Benue State was on Friday officially certified to contest the APC governorship primary after undergoing screening at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, the designated venue for screening incumbent governors seeking re-election. The development was disclosed in a statement signed by Tersoo Kula, his Chief Press Secretary.

The screening committee was chaired by Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman.

Alia’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms were procured by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Benue Chapter, and the Benue State Motorcycle Association, BEMOA.

Leaders of the groups said their support was based on the governor’s human-centred leadership style and the “massive turnaround” recorded in Benue State since he assumed office.

Political stakeholders within the APC described Alia’s clearance as a strategic boost ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State was cleared by the APC to seek a second term as the party commenced screening for serving governors and Senate aspirants in Abuja.

Mutfwang was among the first aspirants screened during the exercise also supervised by APC National Chairman.

According to the party, the screening exercise was conducted in an atmosphere of transparency, diligence and unity, reflecting the APC’s commitment to internal democracy and credible leadership selection ahead of future elections.

In Nasarawa State, political attention has remained fixed on Governor Abdullahi Sule, whose calm disposition amid growing political opposition has continued to attract public discussion as the 2027 race gathers momentum.

Governor Sule who has since be screened is seeking the Nasarawa North Senatorial seat while also backing Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who holds the title of Sarkin Yakin Keffi, as his preferred successor for the governorship contest.

The governor’s allies recalled that attempts were previously made to frustrate his second term ambition and influence the emergence of the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in what many interpreted as a prelude to impeachment proceedings.

Both efforts, however, failed as Governor Sule retained political control and continued his administration uninterrupted.

The current political disagreements within the APC in Nasarawa are linked largely to Sule’s open support for Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of 2027.

Supporters of the governor maintain that there is “nothing unconstitutional” about an outgoing leader openly supporting a preferred successor.

They also dismissed attempts to weaken the governor’s political influence through propaganda, cash distribution and ethno-religious narratives, insisting that the administration’s achievements in roads, schools, hospitals and investment attraction remain visible across the state.

As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, the three governors are increasingly being seen by supporters as central figures in the APC’s efforts to retain political dominance across the North Central region.