By Arabinrin Aderonke
The forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is drawing heightened attention as party stakeholders prepare for what is widely regarded as a defining moment in its institutional and political trajectory.
The convention, scheduled to hold at Eagle Square, is the party’s highest decision-making assembly, where members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) are selected through a structured internal process. Beyond leadership selection, the gathering is expected to shape policy direction, reinforce internal cohesion, and clarify zoning arrangements ahead of future elections.
Party officials say the event represents the culmination of a nationwide consultative process involving ward, local government, state, and zonal engagements. These stages, according to insiders, have helped harmonise interests and build consensus across the APC’s diverse membership base.
This will be the fourth major convention since the party’s formation. Observers note that previous conventions — including those held in 2014, 2018, and 2022 — played significant roles in consolidating party structures, managing leadership transitions, and determining presidential nominations.
In a recent statement, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka confirmed that the party would retain its existing zoning formula for NWC positions. The decision, he said, is aimed at promoting equity, balance, and stability across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Aspirants have been advised to comply strictly with the arrangement.
At the national level, political focus remains on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is positioned as the party’s sole presidential candidate. Analysts view this alignment as a strategic move to project unity and avoid internal divisions ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The APC, regarded as Nigeria’s largest political party, continues to expand its influence through defections and alliances, further strengthening its national footprint. However, analysts caution that managing such growth requires sustained internal coordination and discipline.
As preparations intensify, expectations remain high that the convention will not only consolidate the party’s leadership structure but also set the tone for its future political engagements. Party members and observers alike see the gathering as a critical test of the APC’s capacity for unity, organisation, and strategic direction in an evolving political landscape.
The outcome of the convention is expected to have far-reaching implications, both within the party and across Nigeria’s broader democratic space.
Arabinrin Aderonke is an award-winning investigative journalist; 2016 finalist, CNN
African Journalist Award; 2013
winner, Wole Soyinka investigative award, a policy analyst and good governance advocate. She writes from Abuja.
