Politics

APC NEC Meeting to Focus on Ganduje’s Replacement and Party Unity

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 23rd, 2025.

APC NEC Meeting to Focus on Ganduje’s Replacement and Party Unity

APC

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is scheduled to convene in Abuja on Thursday, with the party’s leadership transition and internal stability expected to dominate discussions.

According to reliable sources within the APC national secretariat, the meeting will center on choosing a substantive replacement for former National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down on June 27. Since his resignation, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori has been acting in an interim capacity.

Party insiders revealed that the NEC gathering could either confirm Dalori’s appointment and provide a roadmap toward a national convention or see a new national chairman named directly—possibly influenced by President Bola Tinubu.

The NEC, the APC’s second-highest decision-making body, includes top-ranking party figures such as the President, Vice President, state governors, National Working Committee (NWC) members, and state party chairmen.

NWC Sends Draft Agenda to Tinubu

In preparation for the NEC meeting, the NWC held a two-hour closed-door session on Monday. Although no official statement followed, it was learned that a draft agenda was finalized and sent to President Tinubu for approval.

A source familiar with the meeting told Daily Trust: “The agenda includes leadership transition, the timeline for an elective convention, internal congresses, and digital membership registration.”

Legal expert and 2022 APC Constitution Review Committee member Barrister Bashir Maidugu noted that the NEC has the authority to appoint a substantive national chairman, referencing Article 13:3(ii) of the party’s constitution. He added that the acting capacity of national officers is limited to 12 months, per Section 13.3(c).

Maidugu explained, “Ganduje himself was nominated and ratified by the NEC after Adamu’s resignation. A similar process could apply here, but a formal national convention is still required to validate the appointment.”

Caretaker Committee Speculations

Amid growing uncertainty, some party sources suggest the NEC may dissolve the current NWC entirely and set up a 13-member caretaker committee to manage party affairs until a new convention is held. Concerns have been raised about lingering loyalty to Ganduje and alleged links between some NWC members and opposition figures.

This scenario mirrors the 2020 shake-up when the NEC dissolved the NWC under Adams Oshiomhole and appointed Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni to lead a Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

APC Publicity Director Responds

When contacted, APC’s National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, confirmed that the NEC meeting would take place but declined to comment on its agenda.

“I don’t have access to the full agenda,” he said. “As for the rumors about dissolving the NWC, I can’t confirm them—they remain speculation at this stage.”

Another insider revealed that Thursday’s meeting will also address broader party issues, such as planning for congresses, managing opposition influence, resolving state-level disputes, and preparing for the 2026 FCT Council elections and the 2027 general elections.

Dalori is also expected to present a report on developments since the last NEC meeting in February, including updates on defections