Barring any last-minute changes, the All Progressives Congress is set to retain Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Dr Ajibola Basiru as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, at its forthcoming national convention, as stakeholders intensify efforts to sustain continuity within the National Working Committee.
Senior party officials who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that approximately 20 current officeholders are seeking re-election to the NWC.
They are engaging governors and other stakeholders to secure support ahead of the March 27–28 convention.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, confirmed that party leaders had adopted a consensus arrangement to promote unity, reduce internal disputes, and ensure a peaceful convention.
In accordance with its revised timetable, the APC has concluded ward and local government congresses in most parts of the country, except in a few states where the exercise was postponed.
The national convention scheduled for March will culminate in the election of members of the NWC.
The Convention Planning Committee, chaired by former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, has been mandated to oversee the exercise.
According to Article 17 of the APC Constitution (March 2022, as amended), party officers serve a four-year term and may be re-elected for one additional term.
Most current NWC members were elected in August 2023, while Yilwatda assumed office as National Chairman in July 2025.
A party source disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has indicated a preference for retaining Yilwatda and Basiru.
The source stated: “What I can tell you now is that the matter concerning the National Secretary and the National Chairman has been settled.
“From what we have gathered, and based on what the President has informed some party members, he prefers to retain Senator Basiru as the national secretary and have Prof Yilwatda continue as the national chairman of the party.
“If the President does not change his mind, it is highly likely that these two individuals will retain their positions in the next NWC. Discussions regarding other offices are still ongoing.”
Another source acknowledged earlier reservations about retaining Basiru due to regional considerations but said those concerns had diminished.
He stated: “Before now, some leaders of the party were sceptical about having the current national secretary retain that position because he is from the Southwest and the President is also from the Southwest.
“However, since he has served since 2023, many leaders believe he can continue for another term.”
Duru, responding to inquiries, said retaining the two officers would not be inappropriate.
He stated, “It will not be out of place if that is the case. I also wish that, by way of consensus, the national chairman be returned, and the national secretary be returned.
“You cannot find better individuals to occupy those offices, even in an intra-party setting in Nigeria.
“If that is the thinking and the consensus among the leaders of the party, it is supported by a large portion of the rank and file of the party.”
He further confirmed that the convention would adopt a consensus model.
“We have devised the process of consensus to ensure that, at every level, we minimise friction.
“We conducted our congresses through consensus, which is cheaper and easier to coordinate. All offices will be filled by way of consensus in the forthcoming national convention,” he said.
Convention committee inauguration holds Wednesday
The APC, on Monday, scheduled the inauguration of the 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee for Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
The event, scheduled to be held at the NWC Hall of the APC National Secretariat, Abuja, would commence by 2.00 pm
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the committee’s inauguration as part of preparations for the party’s forthcoming national convention.
Masari serves as chairman while former Senate President, Pius Anyim, has been appointed Vice Chairman I, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, serves as Vice Chairman II.
Also, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, serves as treasurer, while the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, will serve as secretary of the committee.
Meanwhile, the APC National Chairman has said the establishment of The Progressive Institute reflects President Tinubu’s vision of building a premier political foundation.
Speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of the institute’s governing council, Prof Yilwatda said: “Let me express our leadership’s appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his vision in establishing this premier political foundation in the country.
“I wish to assure him of our total commitment to ensuring that the President’s desire for a world-class institution is achieved.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.
“I wish to thank my predecessor, His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and others for their efforts in establishing this great institution.”
Yilwatda added that he would serve as chairman of the governing council to ensure policy and strategic oversight at the highest level.
He outlined the institute’s statutory functions, including policy research, leadership development, intra-party governance training, election-related capacity building, and serving as the institutional memory of the party.
The Director-General and Secretary of the Council, Dr Lanre Adebayo, assured the leadership of the institute’s commitment.
“We will continue to give our best because we believe in APC,” he said. (The PUNCH)