Convention: APC may settle for Yilwatda, Basiru

Barring any sudden twist (because politics loves drama), the All Progressives Congress is expected to keep Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman and Dr. Ajibola Basiru as National Secretary at its upcoming national convention, as party stakeholders push for continuity in the National Working Committee (NWC). 

Senior party sources say roughly 20 current NWC members are seeking another term and have been lobbying governors and key stakeholders ahead of the March 27–28 convention. 

The party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, confirmed that leaders are leaning toward a consensus arrangement to promote unity, reduce internal tensions, and avoid a messy convention. 

Under the APC’s revised timetable, the party has already completed ward and local government congresses in most parts of the country, except for a few states where the exercises were postponed. The March convention will end with the election of the NWC members, supervised by the Convention Planning Committee led by former Katsina State governor Aminu Masari. 

As provided in Article 17 of the APC Constitution (March 2022, as amended), party officers serve four-year terms and can be re-elected once. Most of the current NWC members were elected in August 2023, while Yilwatda took over as chairman in July 2025. 

A party insider also said President Bola Tinubu has signalled support for retaining both Yilwatda and Basiru, adding that while other positions are still being discussed, the top two roles appear “settled” unless the President changes his mind.

Another source admitted there had been earlier hesitation about Basiru staying on due to regional balancing concerns (since both he and Tinubu are from the Southwest), but said that resistance has largely faded given Basiru has served since 2023 and many leaders feel he can continue. 

Duru, speaking on the matter, said it wouldn’t be surprising if both leaders return through consensus, arguing the party would struggle to find better alternatives and that the idea enjoys strong support within the party ranks. He also reiterated that all offices at the convention are expected to be filled through a consensus model, similar to how the congresses were conducted. 

Separately, the APC announced it will inaugurate the 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. A statement by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the inauguration is part of preparations for the convention. 

Masari will chair the committee, with former Senate President Pius Anyim as Vice Chairman I; AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (NGF chairman and Kwara governor) as Vice Chairman II; Hope Uzodimma as treasurer; and Mai Mala Buni as secretary.

Meanwhile, Yilwatda said the creation of The Progressive Institute aligns with Tinubu’s vision of building a top-tier political institution. Speaking at the inauguration of the institute’s governing council in Abuja, he thanked Tinubu, acknowledged the groundwork laid by his predecessor Abdullahi Ganduje, and said he would chair the governing council to provide strategic oversight. He listed the institute’s roles to include policy research, leadership training, intra-party governance education, election capacity-building, and serving as the party’s institutional memory.