APC convention: Tinubu’s second term, NWC election top agenda 

…8,453 delegates to pick new national executives

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to hold its much-touted national convention on Friday and Saturday, with far-reaching decisions expected to be reached ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As the party’s highest decision-making organ, the convention comes on the heels of recently concluded ward, local government, state and zonal congresses conducted nationwide.

These preliminary exercises are expected to feed into the broader national gathering, where party leaders, delegates and stakeholders will deliberate on a range of strategic issues.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, federal and state lawmakers, state party chairmen, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), former governors, ex-party chairmen, and other key stakeholders are expected to attend the convention.

Responding to a question from our correspondent during a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Co-Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the convention, Mohammed Idris, said that 8,453 delegates were expected at the event.

Read also: N/East APC adopts consensus to elect zonal leaders in Gombe

Tinubu’s second term

At the heart of discussions is the political future of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the prospect of his re-election bid in 2027.

Although the president is yet to formally declare his intention to seek a second term, party insiders say the issue will feature prominently during deliberations.

Earlier this year, APC stakeholders at a summit in Abuja passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu and endorsed him as the party’s preferred candidate for the next presidential election.

The endorsement, backed by members of the National Working Committee (NWC), governors and federal lawmakers, was widely interpreted as a strong signal of internal support for continuity.

However, party officials have since clarified that the endorsement does not preclude internal democracy.
The APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, had stated that the party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants interested in contesting the presidential ticket.

According to him, nomination and expression of interest forms will be made available to any qualified party member willing to challenge Tinubu.

Observers say this position underscores the party’s attempt to balance political consensus with democratic openness, as Tinubu remains the dominant figure within its ranks.

Election of national officers

Another major highlight of the convention will be the election of a new crop of national officers to steer the affairs of the party. The exercise is expected to reaffirm the APC’s leadership structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Already, the party has concluded the screening of aspirants vying for positions within the National Working Committee (NWC). About 30 aspirants were assessed by the National Convention Aspirants’ Screening Committee, chaired by Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Among those cleared are the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, alongside 28 others.

Reports indicate that most of the NWC members are contesting unopposed, suggesting a consensus-driven approach to leadership selection.

Speaking after his screening on Tuesday, Yilwatda described the APC as Nigeria’s most nationally spread political party, highlighting what he called improvements in internal democratic processes and institutional reforms.

Read also: Akpabio rallies South-South APC to deliver ‘highest votes’ for Tinubu

Timelines for primaries

Top sources told BusinessDay that the convention is also billed to  ratify timelines for the party’s primaries for presidential, governorship and National Assembly election, in line with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It will equally decide the mode of primaries.

INEC has fixed April 23 to May 30, 2026, as the window within which all political parties must conduct their primaries. This timeline imposes a tight schedule on parties, making early planning and coordination critical.

For the APC, the convention will therefore serve as a platform to harmonise its electoral calendar, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while positioning the party for a competitive outing in 2027.

Campaign financing strategy

Another critical issue on the agenda is campaign financing, particularly for the presidential election.

Running a nationwide campaign in Nigeria, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), requires enormous financial resources, making funding a central concern for political parties, including the APC.

Analysts note that the cost of elections has continued to rise, driven by logistics, media outreach, mobilisation and security considerations. The recently amended electoral framework has further raised the stakes.

Under the new provisions, the campaign spending limit for presidential candidates has been increased to N10 billion. While this is intended to reflect current economic realities, pundits say it also places significant pressure on parties to develop robust and transparent funding mechanisms.

Sources within the NWC told BusinessDay that deliberations at the convention are expected to explore sustainable strategies for mobilising resources without undermining accountability or public trust.

Recall that INEC has fixed January 16 for presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027 for the governorship and state assembly elections.

Defections and internal tensions

The influx of high-profile defectors into the APC is another sensitive issue for discussion. In recent months, several governors, lawmakers and political heavyweights have crossed over from opposition parties, significantly boosting the APC’s numerical strength.

The governors who joined the party are Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), who defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

These defections have helped the APC consolidate a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, strengthening its legislative influence.

However, the development has also triggered internal concerns, particularly over allegations that some defectors were promised automatic tickets as part of negotiations.

Party insiders warn that granting such concessions could spark discontent among long-standing members who have built their political careers within the APC.

Sources say the issue of automatic tickets is likely to generate heated debate at the convention, as stakeholders weigh the need to accommodate new entrants against the imperative of rewarding loyalty and maintaining internal cohesion.

Digital registration

Party officials have revealed that one of the major items on the agenda is the review of the party’s electronic membership registration and the planned submission of its digital register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sources within the party say delegates are expected to deliberate extensively on the progress made so far in the e-registration exercise, as well as address outstanding technical and administrative issues to ensure compliance with electoral requirements.

The digital register, which captures verified membership data across the country, is considered critical to strengthening internal party processes and enhancing transparency.

The development came against the backdrop of provisions in the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates all political parties to submit their updated digital membership registers to INEC not later than April 2, 2026.

Failure to meet this deadline could result in severe consequences, including the risk of exclusion from participation in the 2027 general elections.

On January 30, 2026, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed to journalists in Abuja that the party had registered over seven million members through its electronic membership registration exercise.

He described the figure as a significant milestone, underscoring the party’s expanding grassroots base and the growing acceptance of its digital registration initiative.

The convention is therefore expected to provide a platform for ratifying the register and aligning stakeholders on the next steps.

The convention is also expected to ratify other decisions taken by NWC and the National Executive Committee (NEC).