APC: no threat to convention
There is no threat to the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday, National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said yesterday.
- Aspirant sues party
- Yilwatda, Basiru, others cleared
- Zonal congresses hold today
- By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor; Jide Orintunsin, Tony Akowe, Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja; Godwin Otang, Calabar and Abdulrahman Abdullahi, Gusau
There is no threat to the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday, National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said yesterday.
He said the convention would be held in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the ruling party’s constitution and guidelines.
Also yesterday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the convention would be a milestone.
Basiru noted the complaint by a Southsouth national vice chairmanship aspirant, Fubara Dagogo, who has gone to court, describing the move as “spurious and lacking in basis.”
No fewer than 7,200 delegates are expected at the convention.
Ahead of Saturday’s convention, zonal congresses to produce leaders at that level of the party’s structure will be held at six centres today, reflecting the six geopolitical zones.
Among the officials to be elected are zonal vice chairmen and other executives.
Yesterday, the Aspirants Screening Committee, chaired by Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, cleared the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Basiru; National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka and his deputy, Duro Meseko; and other aspirants to participate in the election.
In Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where he led other party leaders in receiving Governor Dauda Lawal into the party, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the APC is waxing stronger.
Convention will hold as scheduled, says Basiru
Basiru, who spoke on the telephone last night, said the national convention would be held at Eagle Square, Abuja, as scheduled, adding that party faithful are full of enthusiasm.
The national secretary, who said he had not been served with any court process, also noted that he had not received any request from Dagogo for an expression of interest form.
Basiru said the position Dagogo is aspiring to is a zonal office that can only be decided at the zonal congress being held today in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
He said: “We have not been served with any court summons. The position he is referring to is not contestable at the convention; it is a zonal position. The Vice Chairman, Southsouth, is a zonal executive position.
“Without prejudice, we only heard his complaint on television. Nothing will stop the convention. I have not received any request from him for a form. There are procedures. Since he has gone to court, I cannot say much.
“People should study the Constitution. You cannot stop a process that does not concern you.”
Party clears Yilwatda, Basiru, others
Yilwatda, Basiru, Morka, Meseko, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were cleared by the Oyebanji panel, which sat at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
After scrutinising their credentials, they were asked to take a bow and leave.
Yilwatda told reporters after the screening that the party has successfully transitioned into a transparent, institution-driven organisation, adding that the rigour of the screening showed that no member is above the party’s internal laws.
He said: “In the APC, things have been different. Everybody is subject to the system and how it operates. The processes have become more transparent and organised, and the system now prevails over individuals.”
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The chairman described the APC as the only platform with a “truly nationwide spread” and a functioning internal democratic system capable of self-regulation.
He praised the party’s commitment to due process, stressing that under the current leadership, all members are subject to the same internal mechanisms regardless of status.
He also commended the screening committee and other sub-committees for ensuring a seamless and conflict-free convention process, in contrast with recurring crises in opposition parties.
Yilwatda said the APC is the only party with electoral victories and organisational presence across all six geopolitical zones.
He added: “If you look at the recent by-elections, the APC has recorded wins in Kano, Zaria, Adamawa, the Southwest, Southsouth, and Southeast. No other political party has achieved this in the past year.”
Also, Basiru expressed satisfaction with the committee’s recognition of the administrative reforms introduced since August 2023.
Basiru, who is the sole aspirant for the position of National Secretary, said the convention would mark a turning point for the party’s internal cohesion and democratic efficiency.
He said the immediate revitalisation of the party’s internal organs would be his priority after the convention, adding that the reforms would strengthen the party from the grassroots to the national level.
Basiru said: “One of the tasks before us is to consolidate the strength of the party and ensure that our structure, from the polling units to the national level, becomes very active.”
He said the National Advisory Council would be activated immediately after the convention to provide high-level guidance.
Basiru added: “We believe that if we activate all our structures and make them functionally efficient, the APC will continue to move forward with electoral victories and democratic consolidation.”
Reflecting on his tenure since August 2023, Basiru highlighted significant administrative milestones, including a surge in party membership and a more professional secretariat.
He said: “We thank God that since we assumed leadership, notable progress has been recorded in our party. Even before the amendment of the Electoral Act, we were able to drive registration that brought membership to about 12 million.”
Basiru added that his office has introduced more seamless and efficient processes into the conduct of party primaries and daily operations.
Others cleared by the committee include Deputy National Chairmen: Abubakar Dalori (North) and Chief Emma Eneukwu (South); Mu’azu Bawa Rijau (North Central); Mohammed Datti (North West); Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Southeast); Chief Victor Giadom (Southsouth); and D.I. Kekemeke (Southwest).
Also cleared are Muritala Aliyu Kankia (National Legal Adviser); Uguru Matthew Ofoke (National Treasurer); Chidi Nze Duru (Deputy National Organising Secretary); and Anyanwu Nduka (National Welfare Officer).
The screening committee’s report was expected to be submitted to the National Convention Central Committee last night, setting the stage for a “peaceful and eventful” convention.
Dagogo sues party
Dagogo, Director-General of the APC States Assembly Forum (ASAF), had approached the Federal High Court to halt the convention, claiming he was denied the expression of interest and nomination forms by the APC Convention Committee despite meeting all requirements and paying the compulsory N5.1 million.
Dagogo said in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, that he had no option but to seek legal redress as a foundation member of the party.
In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/591/2026, the Rivers indigene is seeking the court’s interpretation of APC Payment Acknowledgement Receipt No. 26827 dated March 13, 2026, and the adjusted APC 2026 schedule of nationwide congresses and national convention.
Defendants in the suit are the APC, its National Chairman, incumbent National Vice Chairman Victor Giadom, and National Organising Secretary Suleiman Mohammed Argungu.
His counsel, Chief OAU Onyema, said Dagogo is asking the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from conducting the Southsouth zonal congress scheduled for March 25, 2026.
He is also seeking a declaration that he is entitled to be issued the expression of interest and nomination forms as an aspirant for the position of National Vice Chairman, Southsouth.
He said: “This legal challenge is not just about one man’s exclusion; it is about defending the integrity of the APC and restoring the vision upon which it was founded.”
Idris: convention will be a milestone
Information Minister Idris said the convention would be a milestone that would strengthen the APC’s internal structures and democratic processes.
Idris, who co-chairs the APC Media and Publicity Committee with presidential aide Tunde Rahman, said the committee would brief the media today.
He said in a statement: “It is important that members of the committee realise that a lot of sacrifice is expected from all, in line with the party’s vision for a united and disciplined approach to communicating with Nigerians.
“As party members, we must emulate a key attribute of our President, who throughout his political career, particularly in the last three years of his national leadership, has subjected himself to all internal democratic processes.”
At the meeting were Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare; Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; House of Representatives Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi; Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Istifanus Gyang; Assistant Secretary, Dr Mary Ikoku; and Secretary, Dr Abimbola Tooki.
APC waxing stronger with Lawal’s defection
Shettima lauded Lawal’s decision to join the APC, saying that his membershio has made the party stronger.
The vice president, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the defection ceremony, said:”Governor Lawal make Zamfara APC strongest and solidified.”
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who also welcomed the governir, said:”Governor Lawal was in isolation among governors of the Northwest, but now, he has joined the moving train. His colleagues will help him to confront issues for proper solutions.
Barau urged the People of Zamfara to vote for APC in next year’s general election, adding that it will pave the way for more federsl support for the state.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, said, Zamfara is now a state without opposition.
He added: “APC is the only political party in Zamfara State from top to bottom. We congratulate the people of the State and Governor Lawal for this development.”
Yilwatda urged the governor to show maturity, give respect and do justice to all party members.
He said: “You are the party leader in Zamfara State. Treat everybody equally, both those that recently joined from the PDP and those that you met home.”
Lawal thanked the stakeholders who welcomed him into the APC, urging the people to vote for the president during next year’s poll.
He said: “We are now united; all our former Governors, Deputy Governors, Speakers, and other past political office holders together with all state party stakeholders, we are in single umbrella for the progress of the state.
“Today, I was officially received and welcomed as APC member and I’m happy for that.”
At the ceremony were the Chairman Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto.
APC targets 100m Nigerians in digital plan
Also yesterday, APC launched a digital media plan aimed at reaching 100 million Nigerians and a global audience of 400 million through a “new media” infrastructure.
This was disclosed during the inaugural meeting of the National Convention Sub-Committee on Digital and New Media at the Niger State Governors’ Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
The party likened the initiative to the high-tech digital campaigns of the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States.
Co-Chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urged the digital team to look beyond the convention and focus on the broader “Renewed Hope” agenda of the Tinubu administration.
He said: “We are depending on you to reach millions of our members in their homes.
“It is your duty to use all digital platforms, without restriction, to showcase what we have done. We are showing the world that there is a party in Africa that believes in real democracy.”
Describing the committee’s role as the primary link between the leadership and the grassroots, Kalu urged members to promote the party’s democratic credentials globally.
Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Committee, Mohammed Umaru Bago, urged members to approach the assignment with a sense of sacrifice.
He said: “Today we received the 32nd governor into the APC, and tomorrow we will receive the 33rd.”
Unveiling the technical scope of the project, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media, O’tega Ogra, said the party would deploy a wide range of tools to ensure effective communication.
He said: “We aim to reach at least 100 million Nigerians and about 400 million people globally through a combination of digital tools to ensure effective information dissemination.”
The committee’s strategy includes real-time streaming, interactive social media engagement, and localised content aimed at showcasing the APC’s democratic credentials to both local and international audiences.
