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A new National Chairman for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be appointed on Thursday during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje resigned from the position in June, citing health concerns, although political analysts suggest his departure was related to internal power struggles and strategic shifts within the party in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
Following his resignation, Deputy National Chairman Ali Dalori has been serving as the acting National Chairman.
Sources from the APC National Secretariat, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that a key agenda for the NEC meeting includes the election of a new national chairman, updates from the Constitution Review Committee, and discussions on party congresses.
Many party leaders are reportedly in favor of Ali Dalori remaining as acting chairman until a formal Elective Convention is convened to select new National Working Committee members. Influential figures within the party, including members of the Progressives Governors Forum, are eagerly awaiting President Bola Tinubu's final stance on the party's leadership.
Leading candidates for the position include former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, especially as the North Central region intensifies its campaign for the chairmanship to return to their area.
Historically, the APC has seen five previous chairmen: Chief Bisi Akande (2013–2014), Chief John Oyegun (2014–2018), Adams Oshiomhole (2018–2020), Mai Mala Buni (2020–2022), and Abdullahi Adamu (2022–2023).
Article 13.3 of the amended APC Constitution allows the NEC to appoint the National Chairman and create a Caretaker Committee, among other roles. The article details the NEC’s responsibility to convene the National Convention and oversee the party's operations between conventions.
On June 30, APC Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter announced that the NEC meeting would take place on July 24 in Abuja to address the national chairman's selection along with other important matters.
Fuanter stated that if the members wish to nominate a new chairman during the meeting, it would be accepted, awaiting the convention for final confirmation.
As preparations for the NEC meeting are completed, influential party members have begun lobbying for their preferred candidates ahead of the pivotal meeting on Thursday, with Dalori, Al-Makura, and Yilwatda potentially leading the charge.
The agenda includes discussions on issues such as E-registration, updates from the Constitution Amendment Committee, party congresses, and the announcement of a new National Chairman.
Despite expectations for a new chairman to be named at the Thursday meeting, some factions within the party are advocating for Dalori to continue in his acting position until a later Elective Convention is organized to finalize the new National Working Committee. The outcome of the NEC is anticipated to provide clear direction for the party's leadership.
The North-Central APC Forum has urged President Tinubu and other party leaders to ensure the return of the National Chairman position to their region, emphasizing their historical contributions to the APC.
They argue that ignoring their request would be unjust, citing their significant role in the party's success.
In response to these calls, the state chapters of the party in Kaduna and Zamfara (North West) have emphasized that the selection process for the next chairman should adhere to democratic procedures, urging compliance with the party's constitutional guidelines.
Overall, as party leaders await President Tinubu’s decision on the new chairman, all indications suggest that the NEC meeting will be critical in defining the future leadership of the APC.
