Senator representing Nasarawa central, Umaru Tanko has declared his interest to contest for the office of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The declaration was made by Al-Makura on Monday while speaking at a campaign rally ahead of the party’s LGA congresses in the state.

Al-Makura who is an associate of national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu told his audience that he was presenting himself for the position to foster unity in the APC.

The lawmaker, said if elected, he will ensure that the values that birthed the party in 2014 are preserved.

As at the time of reportage, the ruling party has not officially announced a “zoning arrangement” but there has been talks of a power shift to the south after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari ends in 2023.

If the party zones the national chairmanship to the north, Al-Makura will be up against the likes of Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno state, and Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara state.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have already zoned the office of the national chairman to the north, an indication that the south will have the presidential ticket at the general election in 2023, if their position is adopted by the party.