Politics

APC Plans Big Leadership Changes Before December Convention

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 14th, 2025.

APC Plans Big Leadership Changes Before December Convention

APC

Barring any unexpected developments, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is gearing up to inaugurate a convention planning committee during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for July 24, 2025.

Insiders within the party, speaking under condition of anonymity, disclosed that the planned committee will be responsible for organizing the party’s national elective convention set for December. This convention is expected to usher in a new National Working Committee (NWC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to these sources, there’s growing support among APC governors and NEC members to go beyond replacing the current acting national chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori. Many are pushing for a complete reshuffle of the NWC to reflect new political dynamics within the party.

However, it has been revealed that some NWC members are lobbying behind the scenes to limit the changes to just the national chairmanship, hoping to preserve their current roles.

Under the APC Constitution (amended 2022), Article 12(4) outlines 22 key NWC positions, including the National Chairman, Deputy Chairmen (North and South), National Secretary, and Zonal Vice Chairmen from the six geopolitical regions. The structure also features roles like National Legal Adviser, Financial Secretary, Women and Youth Leaders, among others.

The party’s constitution also limits an officer’s tenure to two four-year terms, with specific conditions for those appointed mid-term due to vacancies. Additionally, no member is allowed to hold national and state-level positions simultaneously, except in an ex-officio capacity.

Despite these constitutional guidelines, history shows that no APC national chairman or NWC has served a full four-year term without disruption.

The latest shake-up comes in the wake of the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as national chairman on June 27, 2025—an exit seen as part of internal realignments ahead of 2027.

Speaking on the upcoming NEC meeting, Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter confirmed the July 24 date and emphasized that any nomination of a new chairman would be subject to NEC approval and formal ratification at the national convention.

“It’s up to NEC to decide if a new chairman will be nominated. Until then, Dalori remains in charge,” he said.

Party insiders suggest Dalori is likely to hold the fort until the December convention, where a broader leadership transition is expected. A source noted, “There is a consensus among major stakeholders, including the Presidency, to wait until December for a comprehensive NWC election. The NEC may simply set up a planning committee for that convention.”

Another insider revealed that the planned overhaul is also aimed at accommodating influential newcomers and powerful state governors who have recently aligned with the APC.

“The December convention isn’t just about filling Ganduje’s position. It’s about reconstituting the party’s leadership structure to reflect current realities,” the source said. “Some NWC members are lobbying to retain their seats, but the broader goal is a total leadership reset.”

It was also revealed that governors plan to meet with President Bola Tinubu soon to finalize strategy ahead of the NEC meeting.

Efforts to reach the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful. However, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko told reporters that no formal decision had been made on holding a convention.

“As of now, the NEC will decide whether or not to hold an elective convention. The agenda is not fixed, and we await further consultations, especially with the President,” Meseko explained.

Bala Ibrahim, APC’s Director of Publicity, expressed confidence that the party would emerge stronger from its upcoming meetings.

“Dr. Ganduje left the chairmanship voluntarily but remains a committed APC member,” Ibrahim said. “People expecting the party to fall apart will be disappointed. We’re poised for consolidation and growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.”