The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APC

UPDATED :Tinubu meets APC Govs ahead NEC

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday evening, met with Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the banner of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), ahead of Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling party.

The meeting, which took place at the State House in Abuja, was attended by all 24 APC Governors but the Governors of Katsina and Akwa Ibom States were represented by their deputies.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door session, Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said the governors used the opportunity to formally condole with President Tinubu over the recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He noted that the discussion also revolved around strategies to fortify the APC across all levels.

“We came as a group to formally condole the passing of the former President Muhammadu Buhari and also to discuss the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting of our party tomorrow,” Uzodinma stated.

Read Also: JUST IN: APC shifts NEC meeting to Villa, adjusts time

According to him, the meeting was also an avenue to engage in a “convivial discussion” with the President on how to better reposition the party and deepen its grassroots support.

“We also shared some ideas with Mr. President on how best to strengthen our party at the grassroots, at the local government, at the state levels up to the national level. It was just a convivial discussion with Mr. President towards strengthening our party and to be able to help serve Nigeria better,” he said.

Asked whether Thursday’s NEC meeting will produce a consensus on the appointment of a new national chairman for the party, Uzodinma was non-committal, saying only that the outcome would become clear after the meeting.

“It is a National Executive Committee meeting; we cannot say what the outcome will be. When you come there tomorrow, you will see it,” he said.

The APC NEC is expected to deliberate on key matters affecting the party’s structure and leadership, including the possible ratification of a substantive national chairman to replace Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned from the position following internal consultations.

July 23, 2025
BREAKING: Tinubu set to meet APC Govs ahead crucial NEC session

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is about to host a meeting with Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) this evening at the State House, Abuja.

The high-level meeting, scheduled to commence from 7:00 pm at the conference hall of the State House, will bring together members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of APC governors.

It comes just hours ahead of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Thursday by 2:00 pm in the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Imo Governor and PGF Chairman Hope Uzodimma is expected to lead his 23 other colleagues to the meeting, which sources describe as “crucial,” given recent developments within the ruling party.

Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Oniru of Iru Kingdom at 55, hails his service, leadership

As of press time, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) had arrived at the venue ahead of their counterparts.

The President is expected to brief the Governors on the Federal Government’s current policy direction as well as the party’s internal agenda, including a possible consensus on a new substantive APC National Chairman following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje last month.

The outcome of tonight’s session is likely to shape Thursday’s NEC proceedings, where key party leadership decisions are anticipated.

July 23, 2025
JUST IN: APC shifts NEC meeting to Villa, adjusts time

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a change in the venue and time of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Originally planned to hold at the party’s National Secretariat on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, the meeting will now take place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

READ ALSO: Troops foil terrorist attacks, neutralise dozens in Zamfara-Niger axis

The time has also been rescheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who attributed the adjustments to logistical reasons.

July 23, 2025
BREAKING: Four PDP senators defect to APC

Four Senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further weakening the opposition’s grip in the Senate.

The defectors are Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi (Osun Central).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during plenary, signalling the latest wave of political realignments within the National Assembly.

Read Also: JUST IN: Three PDP Reps members defect to APC

Present in the chamber to witness the defection were APC national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Senator Chris Ngige; and Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, the member representing Ogbomoso North, South, and Orire Federal Constituency, among others.

Details shortly…

July 23, 2025
JUST IN: Three PDP Reps members defect to APC

Three members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further weakening the main opposition party’s presence in the lower chamber.

The defectors are Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro (Ife Federal Constituency, Osun State), Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakunmosa/Ilesa Federal Constituency, Osun State), and Markus Onobun (Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State).

Onobun, who was the only PDP lawmaker from Edo State in the 10th Assembly, said he was leaving the party due to persistent internal crises.

He added that his decision followed extensive consultations and that he was joining the APC to support Governor Monday Okpebholo in the development of Edo State.

In separate letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary, Ajilesoro and Olusanya also cited the unresolved crisis within the PDP as their reason for defection.

They said their move to the APC was in support of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and commitment to national development.

Read Also: Reps blame NAICOM for 25 insurance firms financial infractions

However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda objected to the defections, urging the Speaker to exercise his constitutional discretion and declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant. Chinda said that while such objections had become repetitive, it was important to formally record their stance.

In response, Speaker Tajudeen acknowledged the observation, saying, “Your observation is noted.”

The national secretary of the APC, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, was present at the House to receive the new members into the party.

July 23, 2025
APC, PDP kick-start 2027 plans with key NEC meetings
- Ganduje’s replacement, standing committee top ruling party agenda
- PDP pushes for cohesion after Atiku, others exit
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will begin preparations for the 2027 electioneering with crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

Today, the PDP will commence the process that will culminate in its 101st NEC meeting on Friday.

The meeting, during which the date of its convention will be decided, will lead to the election of new national officers.

They will take the party through the primaries and the 2027 general election.

Between today and Friday, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) will meet to resolve outstanding issues before the NEC meeting on Friday.

The party has been hit by the defection of prominent chieftains to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – the coalition platform.

A critical challenge for the opposition party is to resolve the crisis arising from the position of the National Secretary.

Although the party had asked Senator Samuel Anyanwu to continue in the position in accordance with a court verdict, some party leaders have continued to kick.

However, a party source said the acrimony would be laid to rest during the national convention when a new leadership would emerge.

APC to pick Ganduje’s successor

The APC caucus, which usually precedes the NEC meeting, will meet today to set the template for tomorrow’s NEC meeting.

Top on the agenda of the NEC will be the ratification of the National Chairman to replace the immediate past chairman, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned voluntarily on June 27 on health grounds.

Following his exit, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, has been acting as chairman.

Standing committee members of the APC will be ratified at the meeting, it was learnt.

National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who spoke on the preparations, said he would tender the annual report before the highest decision-making organ of the party.

Ganduje, who is from the Northwest, became chairman following the resignation of his predecessor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu from the Northcentral, in August 2023.

The Northcentral caucus has intensified the campaign for the selection of a new chairman from the zone.

But it is not clear whether the zone will get it because the Northwest is still angling to retain the position.

The NWC held its meeting on Monday, where the NEC meeting agenda was prepared and agreed upon.

Although the outcome of the NWC meeting, which lasted for two hours, was not made public, a source said the party would release the timetable for the congresses ahead of the National Convention.

Read Also: Senate okays Tinubu’s $21bn foreign loan request

Expected at the NEC meeting are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, NWC members, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Senator Jibrin Barau, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, his deputy Benjamin Kalu, APC governors, Speakers of APC-controlled Houses of Assembly and state chairmen.

A follow-up and an enlarged meeting of the NWC and Forum of State Chairmen convened by the acting national chairman took place at the party secretariat yesterday.

According to the source, the objective was to forge a synergy with the state chairmen on the timetable for the proposed congresses.

A similar meeting was held between the NWC and the Governors’ Forum at Asokoro, in Abuja.

An NWC member said: “We are prepared for the NEC meeting.

“Letters have been sent out to all the members of the committee, and the NWC has been meeting with other organs of the party in order to have a hitch-free meeting on Thursday.

“Mr. President and other leaders of the party and all NEC members have been invited, and the meeting will surely produce a substantive National Chairman that will replace Dr. Ganduje.”

Anxiety over PDP NEC meeting

There is anxiety over the PDP NEC meeting following the collapse of trust and persistent suspicion after the defection.

There is also disquiet over the announcement by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and key PDP leaders to work for the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

The governor explained that they took the decision “after weeks of consultations with stakeholders across the state — from traditional rulers and civil servants to market leaders and grassroots party members”.

On his X handle, Adeleke wrote: “I remain in the PDP, the party that gave me the platform to serve the good people of Osun.

“I have been unanimously endorsed by the Osun PDP for a second term in 2026.

“Our party in Osun has also endorsed President @officialABAT for re-election in 2027, recognising him as a proud son of our state.”

Before yesterday, the three PDP senators from the state pledged their total support for President Tinubu’s re-election.

A staunch member and four-time House of Representatives member, Oluwole Oke, defected to the APC.

Fears are also rife that more pro-Atiku Abubakar chieftains may dump the party for the ADC.

Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum will preside over the NEC meeting, which will be preceded by a pre-NEC meeting where contentious issues will be discussed.

Also, the PDP National Caucus is scheduled to hold tonight at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro.
July 23, 2025
APC gets new national chairman tomorrow

A new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge tomorrow, The Nation has learnt.

He will emerge as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

The party’s second highest decision-making organ will appoint a substantive National Chairman to replace Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned recently on health grounds.

Various statutory organs of the party have been meeting ahead of the NEC meeting scheduled for 10 am on Thursday at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

The National Working Committee (NWC), the highest administrative organ of the party, held a closed door meeting on Monday where the NEC meeting agenda was prepared and agreed upon.

Though the outcome of the NWC meeting which lasted for two hours was not made public, a source in the Committee confirmed that the meeting deliberated essentially on the appointment of a new National Chairman and drew a timetable for the party’s forthcoming congresses ahead of next National Convention of the party.

Read Also: JUST IN: Another Osun Fed lawmaker dumps Adeleke, PDP

Also, all the directors of the various departments of the party had a crucial and strategic meeting at the Villa on Monday to finalise the list of attendees at the meeting which will have the President, Vice President, members of the National Working Committee, the Senate President, his Deputy, Speaker of the House of Representatives, his deputy, all elected Governors of the party, Speakers of APC controlled State House of Assembly and others in attendance.

A follow-up and an enlarged meeting of the NWC and Forum of State Chairmen of the party took place at the party Secretariat on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was at the instance of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, The Nation gathered was to get the buying-in of the State Chairmen on the timetable for the forthcoming congresses ahead of the next National Convention.

The Nation also gathered that a similar meeting held between the NWC and the party’s governors’ Forum on Tuesday night at Asokoro, in Abuja.

A member of the NWC who spoke in confidence said: “We are prepared for the NEC meeting. Letters have been sent out to all the members of the committee, and the NWC has been meeting with other organs of the party in order to have a hitch free meeting on Thursday.”

When asked when the party’s caucus meeting will hold, our source simply said: “I am not sure of the caucus meeting. All our discussions either at the party Secretariat or with the Presidency have centered on the NEC meeting. I am afraid we are just going to have our NEC meeting.

“Mr. President and other leaders of the party and all NEC members have been invited, and the meeting will surely produce a substantive National Chairman that will replace our former Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.”

On the agenda of the meeting, our source said: ” I am not at liberty to divulge the agenda to you. All I know is that the appointment of National Chairman is the main focus, while other issues such as the congresses will be tabled at the meeting,” our source stated.

As of the time of filing the report, the big tent to host the NEC meeting is under construction at the open space of the Muhammadu Buhari House, the venue of the meeting.

July 22, 2025
APC Think Tank urges fresh leadership ahead of 2027 elections

A leading policy think tank within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Progressive Research Initiative (PRI), has called for the selection of forward-looking and strategically competent leaders to guide the party into the 2027 general elections.

In a statement jointly signed by Dr. Ali Ahmed and Dr. Tersoo Aondona, senior research fellows at the PRI, the group expressed concern over discussions surrounding the potential return of some former political figures to key leadership roles within the party.

According to the PRI, while all party members have the right to aspire to leadership positions, the current political climate demands individuals who possess contemporary political experience, strategic clarity, and broad-based appeal, particularly among youth and emerging voter blocs.

The statement emphasised the importance of strong, visionary leadership that can unify the APC, drive internal reforms, and inspire confidence among Nigerians.

“The APC requires a leadership that not only understands today’s political dynamics but can also chart a forward-thinking path toward 2027,” the group said.

Read Also: Senate okays Tinubu’s $21bn foreign loan request

While not endorsing any specific individual, the PRI advised President Bola Tinubu and other key stakeholders to prioritise competence, inclusivity, and strategic capacity in selecting the next national chairman.

“The coming elections will test not just the government’s performance but also the party’s coherence and ability to connect with Nigerians,” the group stated. “We believe that new leadership, grounded in the ideals of progressivism and digital-age engagement, is essential.”

The PRI also highlighted the evolving nature of Nigerian politics, including the rise of digital mobilisation, policy-focused campaigns, and increased youth participation, urging the APC to adapt accordingly.

“This is a time for renewal. To stay competitive and credible, the APC must reflect the energy, diversity, and aspirations of the people,” the group concluded.

The Progressive Research Initiative describes itself as an independent think tank committed to advancing evidence-based policy, party development, and internal democratic processes within the APC.

July 22, 2025
Court rejects bid to suspend Nasarawa APC chairman, orders parties to maintain status quo

The Federal High Court in Lafia has rejected a request by ward executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gayam Ward, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, to suspend the embattled State Chairman of the party, Dr. Aliyu Bello, and restrain him from parading himself as the APC Chairman in the state.

Dr. Bello was earlier suspended by his ward chairman, Ibrahim Ilyasu, and some executives over alleged anti-party activities.

Presiding Judge, Justice Mubolaji Olajuwon, declined to grant the ex parte application filed by the ward executives, stating that the matter would be decided on its merit, not through interim orders.

The judge directed all parties to maintain the status quo and warned against any actions that could prejudice the hearing of the substantive suit.

Read Also: Suspension: I’ll approach appellate court for interpretation of legal impasse – Natasha

Counsel to Dr. Bello, Barr. Thomas Ogwu, argued that the reliefs sought were speculative since the main suit had not been heard.

Meanwhile, counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr. Isa Hassan Nalaraba, had sought an order to bar Dr. Bello from acting as APC chairman and from suspending the ward chairman and his exco.

Justice Olajuwon ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the ex parte restraining order and adjourned the case to September 25, 2025, for hearing.

July 22, 2025
Return APC chairmanship to north-central, forum tells Tinubu ahead of NEC meeting

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC APC) Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s leadership to uphold fairness and return the office of the APC National Chairman to the North-Central region, ahead of the crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 24, 2025.

The Forum also firmly rejected calls for the extension of the acting chairmanship of Ali Bukar Dalori, the Deputy National Chairman (North) from Borno State, who stepped in following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, who also served on the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 elections, said returning the chairmanship to the North-Central would not only reflect equity and fairness but also align with the party’s internal zoning arrangements.

“There are several capable personalities in the North-Central who can lead the APC. We appeal to the President to choose any one of them to lead the party as National Chairman,” Zazzaga said.

The Forum warned that ignoring the North-Central zone would amount to political betrayal, especially since the region had previously held the position through Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who emerged as Chairman in 2022 but resigned before completing his tenure.

The group dismissed concerns that leadership changes might destabilise the party, stating instead that honouring the original zoning principle would strengthen unity and deepen trust among members, particularly in a pre-election year.

The resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje on June 27 reopened the debate over where the chairmanship should reside. The North-Central Forum insists the region must be allowed to complete its original tenure before any discussion of rotating the position.

“We are not against anyone, but we are for fairness,” Zazzaga said. “Our zone deserves the position, and it is the right thing to do for the stability of the party and the confidence of our supporters in the region.”

As the APC heads into Thursday’s NEC meeting, the call by the North-Central Forum adds to growing political pressure on the presidency and party leadership to ensure equitable representation and balance within the ruling party’s top hierarchy.

“As the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party meets on Thursday, we, the North-Central APC Forum appeal to President Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party to do the right thing and ensure that the National Chairman is returned to the North-Central.

“Any decision to the contrary will be viewed as a betrayal. It will be a terrible disappointment to stakeholders in the North-Central if the NEC fails to uphold fairness and equity.

“The North-Central gave President Tinubu and the APC the third highest number of votes in the 2023 presidential election, behind the South-West and North-West.

“In the presidential election, the APC secured 1,760,993 votes (41.3%) in the North-Central, ahead of the Labour Party’s 1,415,557 (33.2%) and the PDP’s 1,025,178 (24.1%).

“The North-Central deserves to produce the APC National Chairman due to the region’s contributions to the party,” he said.

Furthermore, the Forum noted that APC currently governs five of the six states in the region, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger, a feat unmatched in any other zone.

“Among the various geopolitical zones, the North-Central has the highest number of APC governors. This unmatched record demonstrates the strength and the wide acceptance of the party in the region.

“Returning the position of National Chairman to the North-Central is not a favour; it is well deserved,” he said.

However, the Forum dismissed calls by Dr. Maryam Danjaki’s All Progressives Stakeholders Forum to extend Ali Bukar Dalori’s acting chairmanship, rejecting fears of unrest or political instability.

“We reject any plan to extend Dalori’s acting tenure. That would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. The North-East should not benefit at the expense of the North-Central.

Read Also: Adeleke won’t defect to APC – Osun PDP caucus

“It is on record that the opposition won in the North-East in 2023, even though the running mate of President Bola Tinubu is from the zone.”

“In the North-East during the last presidential election, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar secured 1,741,846 votes (55.9%), while Tinubu managed only 933,176 votes (29.9%), a result the Forum believes undermines any claim by the North-East to the National Chairmanship position.

“The North-Central and the North-West are the only zones that believed in President Bola Tinubu 100 percent. We don’t want a situation where our people will feel that their contributions are not appreciated,” Zazzaga said.

Addressing fears that a change in leadership could destabilise the party, the Forum said the opposite is true.

“Effecting a change in leadership by returning the position of National Chairman to the North-Central will revitalise the party. It will demonstrate that the APC is committed to the principles of fairness and equity,” he said.

July 22, 2025