In less than 48 hours, over 7,200 delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will gather at Eagle Square, Abuja, for a national convention aimed at electing new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The convention will serve as a platform to ratify leadership, affirm congress outcomes, make key internal decisions, and consider updates to the party constitution to reflect its current status as Nigeria’s largest ruling party.
Four years and two days ago, a similar exercise was conducted at the same venue to elect members of the NWC. Former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was elected National Chairman in March 2022 alongside 24 other members, emerging from a consensus arrangement. However, in July 2023, Adamu, the then National Secretary, and National Legal Adviser resigned, paving the way for former Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and others to assume leadership positions in August 2023. Ganduje later resigned in June 2025, citing health reasons, though analysts suggest it was a strategic move ahead of the 2027 elections.
Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, was elected to complete Ganduje’s tenure in July 2025. Despite initial doubts about his experience, Yilwatda has strengthened the party and attracted notable defections from opposition parties nationwide.
As the current NWC’s four-year tenure ends, Yilwatda inaugurated a 92-member National Convention Central Coordinating Committee (NCCCC) in February 2026, chaired by former Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari. Prominent members include former Senate President Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yobe State governor Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State governor Senator Hope Uzodimma. Masari assured that the committee will deliver a transparent and successful convention while setting a template for future APC gatherings.
Preparations for the convention are underway, with subcommittees handling media, transportation, ceremonies, security, and screening. Aspirants are contesting various NWC positions, with many incumbents seeking to retain their seats amid the party’s reaffirmed zoning arrangement aimed at ensuring regional balance.
Governors, through the Progressive Governors’ Forum, are expected to influence delegate decisions significantly, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained a neutral role to promote unity and a smooth convention process.
The convention will also consider amendments to the party constitution, following reports from the Constitution Amendment Committee. Political analysts view this convention as more than a routine leadership transition, seeing it as a key test of APC’s unity and readiness for the 2027 general elections.
With over 7,000 delegates set to attend, Abuja is poised for a high-stakes political event that will shape the party’s trajectory for the coming years.
