Barring any last-minute changes, the All Progressives Congress is expected to retain Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman and Dr. Ajibola Basiru as National Secretary at its forthcoming national convention.
Top party sources disclosed that key stakeholders are pushing for continuity within the National Working Committee (NWC), with about 20 current officeholders reportedly seeking another term. Many of them have intensified consultations with governors and influential party leaders ahead of the March 27–28 convention.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, confirmed that the party is leaning towards a consensus arrangement to promote unity and minimise internal disputes.
According to him, the consensus model—already adopted during ward and local government congresses in most states—has proven effective in reducing friction and cutting costs.
The March convention will climax with the election of new NWC members. The exercise will be overseen by the Convention Planning Committee chaired by former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari.
Under Article 17 of the party’s constitution (March 2022, as amended), national officers serve a four-year term and may be re-elected once. While most current NWC members were elected in August 2023, Yilwatda assumed office as chairman in July 2025.
Sources within the party revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is believed to favour the retention of both Yilwatda and Basiru.
One source said the positions of National Chairman and National Secretary have effectively been settled, adding that unless the President changes his position, both men are likely to continue in office. Discussions on other positions, however, are said to be ongoing.
Although there were initial concerns over Basiru’s re-election due to regional considerations—given that both he and the President are from the South-West—party insiders say those reservations have largely faded, especially as Basiru has been in office since 2023.
Duru described the possible return of both officers as appropriate, stating that they remain widely accepted within the party’s rank and file.
“You cannot find better individuals to occupy those offices, even within Nigeria’s intra-party system,” he said, adding that consensus remains the preferred route for filling all positions at the convention.
Committee Inauguration Holds Wednesday
Meanwhile, the APC has fixed Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for the inauguration of the 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee. The event will take place at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the committee’s inauguration marks a major step in preparations for the convention.
Masari will chair the committee, while former Senate President, Pius Anyim, will serve as Vice Chairman I. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, will serve as Vice Chairman II.
Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, will act as Treasurer, while Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, will serve as Secretary.
Progressive Institute Inaugurated
In a related development, the APC National Chairman said the creation of The Progressive Institute reflects President Tinubu’s vision of building a world-class political foundation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the institute’s governing council in Abuja, Yilwatda expressed appreciation to the President for his foresight. He also acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in laying the groundwork for the institute.
Yilwatda said the institute would focus on policy research, leadership development, intra-party governance training, election capacity building and serving as the institutional memory of the party.
The Director-General and Secretary of the Council, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, pledged the institute’s commitment to advancing the party’s ideals.