Barring last‑minute changes, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to establish a convention‑planning committee during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for July 24. This committee will spearhead preparations for the party’s National Elective Convention slated for December. At that convention, delegates will elect fresh members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
Sources within the party, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that governors and key NEC stakeholders are advocating for a full-scale restructuring of the NWC—not just replacing the national chairman, currently acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori. The push aims to usher in a completely new leadership line-up ahead of the next general election.
Meanwhile, some sitting NWC officials are lobbying to limit changes to only the top post—the acting chairmanship. They hope to preserve much of the existing leadership through internal arrangements prior to December.
The APC Constitution (2022, as amended) stipulates that the NWC comprises 22 official positions—from national chairman and zonal vice-chairmen to youth and disabilities leaders. Officers are elected or appointed for a fixed four‑year term and may serve up to an eight‑year limit, barring specific exceptions.
Despite these guidelines, no national chairman or NWC member has ever completed a full four‑year term, often stepping down early due to internal political shifts. Most recently, former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje resigned as national chairman on June 27, 2025, in a move seen as part of broader strategic realignments within the party.
APC Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter confirmed that the NEC meeting will take place in Abuja on July 24. He stated that if stakeholders propose a new chairman at that meeting, the party would welcome the nomination and await the convention’s outcome to finalise leadership decisions .
According to an informed source, Dalori will likely remain in office until December, when party delegates will hold an elective convention to choose new NWC members. Stakeholders backing a complete overhaul say this process is vital to include influential governors and fresh entrants into the party fold.
Though some NWC members are reportedly mobilising support to limit changes to Ganduje’s replacement, most party heavyweights are aiming for a total leadership reset at the December convention to align with emerging power centres and upcoming electoral needs.
APC’s leadership, including Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim and Deputy Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko, emphasised that the final decision lies with the NEC after consultations with the President. They expressed confidence that forthcoming decisions will strengthen the party and uphold President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
