President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday evening held a closed-door meeting with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the party’s crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa, was attended by several APC governors, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; and Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.
Although details of the meeting were not made public, it was gathered that President Tinubu used the session to brief the governors on his position ahead of Thursday’s NEC meeting, which will hold by 2pm at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The NEC meeting was initially planned to take place at the APC national secretariat, but was later moved to the Villa.
One of the key issues expected to top the agenda is the appointment of a substantive National Chairman to replace Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned from the position last month, citing health concerns.
Since Ganduje’s resignation, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Ali Dalori, has been serving in an acting capacity. However, there are divided opinions within the party, with some stakeholders calling for Dalori to remain in office pending an elective convention, while others want the position zoned back to the North-Central region.
Notable names reportedly under consideration for the role include former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
Also on the agenda for the NEC meeting are discussions on the party’s finances, the 2027 general election timetable, updates from the Constitution Review Committee, and preparations for party congresses.
Since its formation, the APC has had six National Chairmen, including Chief Bisi Akande (2013–2014), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (2014–2018), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (2018–2020), Governor Mai Mala Buni (2020–2022), Senator Abdullahi Adamu (2022–2023), and Dr Abdullahi Ganduje (2023–2024).
According to Article 13.3 of the amended APC Constitution (2022), the NEC has the authority to appoint a National Chairman, form a Caretaker Committee, and take other major decisions on behalf of the party.
