APC Moves Towards Elective Convention, Plans Committee Meeting July 24

The All Progressives Congress is gearing up for a major leadership shake-up as plans for a national elective convention in December begin to take shape.

Party insiders say the National Executive Committee (NEC) will likely set up a convention planning committee at its next meeting scheduled for July 24. The committee would oversee preparations for electing a new National Working Committee (NWC) to steer the ruling party into the 2027 elections.

While some NWC members are lobbying for only a replacement for the acting national chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, governors and key power blocs within the party are pushing for a full convention to elect an entirely new leadership.

A top party official, speaking anonymously, said, “Most stakeholders, including the Presidency, prefer an elective convention in December. Dalori will likely remain in place until then and lead the party into the convention.”

Article 12(4) of the APC constitution lists 22 national positions that make up the NWC, while Article 17 limits any officer to a maximum of two four-year terms. Still, no chairman has completed a full tenure since the APC came to power, with leadership changes often triggered by internal realignments.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje became the latest to step down when he resigned as national chairman on June 27. His departure, party sources say, is part of a broader repositioning ahead of the next general elections.

Confirming the upcoming NEC meeting, Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter said it would hold in Abuja on July 24.

“If they so desire that a new chairman is nominated, we’ll accept such nomination and then wait for the convention,” he explained.

Meanwhile, debates are ongoing within the party over whether to proceed with only Ganduje’s replacement or to overhaul the entire NWC to reflect shifting alliances and new political entrants.

One insider noted, “The December convention is expected to produce new leaders who reflect the interests of governors and key stakeholders now emerging within the APC. Some current NWC members are trying to hold on, but the momentum is against them.”

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, said there is currently no official plan for a December convention, adding that the NEC will ultimately decide.

“There’s nothing like that for now. The agenda for the NEC meeting hasn’t been fixed yet, but the President is back and will consult with the party leadership,” he stated.

Also speaking, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, urged Nigerians not to misread the current developments, assuring that the party would emerge stronger after its next round of decisions.