The just concluded National Convention of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) successfully produced a new National Working Committee (NWC) primarily through a consensus arrangement ratified by more than 8,000 delegates. Dateline Nigeria takes a look at this development and the challenges ahead for the APC as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its 8th National Convention at Eagle Square, Abuja, from March 27–28, 2026. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator Ajibola Basiru were returned as National Chairman and National Secretary of the APC, respectively. The newly elected NWC members were immediately inaugurated to lead the party in the next four years.
It was a major consolidation effort for the ruling party, which now controls 31 out of 36 states as against 21 two yeas ago. This gives the APC gains significant leverage in mobilizing networks and resources for nationwide campaigns. The party also dominates both chambers of the National Assembly with 85 out of 109 seats in the Senate and 242 out of 360 members in the House of Representatives, making it easier for it to have its way.
Indeed, high-profile defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party (LP) have left the opposition parties in disarray. Political analysts believe it is left to be seen how these parties can present a united front to face the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. But in politics, things can happen.
While delivering a message after his re-election, Nentawe knew that there were still challenges that needed to be overcome. He declared a new phase of unity, inclusion and political mobilisation for the ruling party, pledging resolute leadership and a clear path towards future electoral success.
He described his mandate as a solemn trust: “I don’t see this position as a throne with a crown but as a duty with a burden of trust… and we take it with gratefulness.” He assured members of steadfast leadership, declaring, “We will not flinch, we will not falter, and we will succeed in serving you. We choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, maturity over chaos. This is what we are and that’s the APC way.”
Resolving crises in states
Within the ruling APC, itself, a crisis of confidence seems to be brewing as power dynamics shifted between state governors, federal lawmakers, and the party’s national leadership, especially with regards to the content of the Electoral Act 2026. One of such controversies is the abolishing of the delegate system for selecting candidates, in favor of direct primaries or consensus.
Dateline Nigeria reports that governors, who previously controlled small groups of delegates to secure nominations, feel outmaneuvered by federal lawmakers who pushed for this change in the Electoral Act. For instance, any single aspirant can block a consensus candidate by refusing to sign a written withdrawal, forcing a full direct primary and reducing the “godfather” system’s influence.
Despite making inroads into opposition territories, there are still bitter disputes and unresolved leadership crises across some states. While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 reelection ambition seems to be enjoying a smoot sail, the situation is still dicey in some states.
in Benue State, for instance, the Secretary to the Governor of the Federation George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia are still battling for the control of the party despite intervention by President Bola Tinubu. In Akwa Ibom State, the new members and the old members of the party are struggling for control. The same is happening in Bauchi, Kwara and other states.
Also, some members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), known as Buhari’s group, including former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, have exited the APC alleging unfair treatment, especially since the death of the former president.
Analysts speak
Speaking on the APC convention and the challenges ahead, a political analyst Bello Dan Sule said the APC should not be carried away by the successful outcome of its recent outing as there are many other hurdles to cross.
“Right now, the biggest threat to the APC is APC itself. Many of those who trooped into the party came with their individual agendas. They want a big platform to run for political offices. So if this fails to materialise, they may decide to opt out, but they won’t just go without putting up a fight which may adversely impact the party. This is probably why former Senate President Bukola Saraki questioned APC’s capacity to accommodate all the defectors at the end of the day when it comes to electing candidates,” Dan Sule said.
He added that “Even during the convention, some eyed offices in the National Working Committee (NWC). But they could not achieve their ambition because the party adopted consensus in electing the national, state, local government and ward officials. Naturally, they will feel disappointed. Some blamed some state governors for scuttling their aspiration and may therefore draw battle lines to work against the choices in the 2027 election. It is how the current leadership handles them that will make the difference.”
Martha Simon, a woman leader in Cross River State, said “The talks about the opposition not having structure is misleading. We all have not forgotten what the Labour Party and their then presidential candidate Peter Obi were able to achieve without the so-called structure in place. Anything can happen.”
Also speaking, Lazarus Titus, congratulated the APC for the successful conduct of its national convention, especially the integration of several high-profile defectors, including former opposition governors.
“However, the APC must be able to distinguish between the outward display of unity at the convention and the internal disappointment that politicians feel. Beneath the consensus, for instance, tensions remain high in several state chapters, from Benue to Enugu, Kwara to Adamawa. The new APC leadership must adopt the delicate balancing act of managing competing ambitions of new entrants without alienating the legacy members who built the party.”
A Kaduna-based political analyst Sani Haruna believes the new APC leadership needs to remain vigilant because things can happen from where he least expects. He said politicians can go to any length in their quest for power, sometimes using means that are more foul than fair.
“Already, there are apparent plans to sow seeds of discord to associate the party leaders, elders, governors and youth leaders with the opposition political parties and their leaders. A typical example is the fabrication against the Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Sule meeting with Atiku in Saudi Arabia.
“There are plans to create more such stories to allege the association of other leaders, elders, governors and youth groups in all the six geo-political zones to Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso and the opposition parties just to further cast doubt over their loyalty to the APC, its leadership and President Tinubu, in a bid to deliberately cause more disaffection within the party,” Haruna said.
He added that it should be to the advantage of the party that such plans have been uncovered. “It is said a stich in time saves Nine. There is no doubt, the party has a huge task of managing its successes, mass defections and ambitions against enemies from within and outside. There is high probability of people resorting to spreading fake news and other forms of misinformation in the run up to the 2027 elections.”
Prof Nentawe is equal to the task
Suleiman Bakari, an Adviser on Intelligence Coordination to the APC National Chairman, says Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has, since his appointment, shown the zeal, human relations and organisational skill to keep the party on a sound pedestal well beyond the 2027 general elections.
Bakari said “As a sound leader, the APC National Chairman has spearheaded the nationwide electronic registration of members of the party to create a reliable, real-time database and modernise party operations, directed state coordinators to prioritize grassroots recruitment, and held major reconciliation meetings to unite factions and strengthen internal discipline ahead of future elections.
“He holds the record for receiving the highest number of governors defecting from opposition parties to the APC during his tenure and has been lauded for fostering a more inclusive environment, specifically promoting the participation of youth and women in the party’s decision-making processes.”
Analysts warn that despite the outward unity, the party’s primary challenge is managing its size and reconciling internal, competing interests to prevent it from becoming its own greatest threat.
