Ahead of the National Executive Council meeting of the party scheduled to hold today, Thursday, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday evening held a closed-door meeting with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma; Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu of Lagos; Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti; and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun were among those who arrived early for the meeting held at the presidential banquet hall of the Aso Rock Villa.
Wednesday’s meeting allowed Tinubu to brief the APC governors on his position ahead of the NEC meeting.
The meeting was held hours before the APC NEC meeting scheduled for 2pm on Thursday, at the State House Conference Centre.
The NEC meeting was initially planned to be held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Among the issues discussed is the emergence of a substantive APC National Chairman to replace Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned last month citing health reasons.
Deputy National Chairman, Ali Dalori, has since then held the fort as the acting National Chairman of the party.
However, there are also those in favour of Ali Dalori continuing as the party’s acting chairman until a formal elective convention is held to choose new National Working Committee members.
The NEC may also decide to return the post to the North‑Central zone, whose leaders have complained of marginalisation.
Some sources also pinpoint former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as the leading contenders from the North Central region.
Today’s meeting is expected to feature a review of the party’s finances and 2027 election timetable, updates from the Constitution Review Committee, and party congresses, among others.
Before Ganduje, the APC had 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 2022 APC Constitution grants the NEC the authority to appoint the National Chairman and establish a Caretaker Committee, among other powers.
