The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has strongly defended President Bola Tinubu's nomination of Mr. Cyril Tsenyil as Managing Director of the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC), dismissing protests against the appointment as politically motivated.

In a statement released on Thursday by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum characterized those opposing Tsenyil's nomination as "imposters sponsored by the opposition" seeking to undermine the Commission's development mandate for the North-Central region.

The controversy emerged after a group identifying itself as the Concerned Plateau Youth Forum, led by one Danladi Pam, called on President Tinubu to withdraw Tsenyil's nomination, claiming it does not represent the interests of Plateau State residents. The group had threatened protests in Abuja to press their demands.

Responding to these claims, the APC Forum described Pam and his group as "faceless entities" being manipulated by opposition politicians who are "pained over the successes being recorded by the APC administration headed by President Bola Tinubu."

"We make bold to say that these people are not Plateau residents nor indigenes of the North-Central region. No right thinking person from the North-Central will want to become an obstacle to the accelerated development that is certainly coming to the region through the North-Central Development Commission," the statement read.

The Forum further challenged the protesters to "show their face," suggesting they are merely "tools in the hands of the opposition" rather than genuine stakeholders in the region's development.

Defending Tsenyil's credentials, the APC Forum described his nomination as "well deserved," citing his career as a professional accountant and his loyalty to the APC, where he has served in various roles and committees.

"Mr. Cyril Tsenyil is a card-carrying member of the APC. He has worked for the success of the administration of President Bola Tinubu and we have full confidence in his ability to actualize the mandate of the North-Central Development Commission," the statement emphasized.

The Forum also expressed confidence that with Tsenyil at the helm, the North-Central region would be well-positioned to deliver on its pledge of six million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 election.

President Tinubu had on May 8, 2025, requested Senate confirmation for his nominees to head various regional development commissions, including the North Central Development Commission. For the NCDC, 19 nominees were presented, with Cosmos Akiyir nominated as Chairman and Cyril Tsenyil as Managing Director.

The Commission, established by law on February 4, 2025, is tasked with addressing developmental challenges in Nigeria's North-Central region.