President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with top leaders and elected officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the ruling party fine-tunes arrangements for its forthcoming national convention and congresses.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, brought together the APC national leadership, state-level party leaders and members of the party caucus in the National Assembly. It was aimed at harmonising plans and strengthening coordination between the party structure and all arms of government ahead of the internal exercises.
Speaking after the engagement, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the session focused on assessing the party’s level of preparedness for the convention and congresses.
“It was just a brief meeting to review the preparations for the convention and the congresses and the synergy between all arms of government so that we can be on one page; the sub-national, the national, the National Assembly and the party,” Yilwatda said.
He explained that the party leadership also examined the current political climate, noting the need for an inclusive process in view of the increasing number of new members and governors joining the APC.
“Same timetable, the same planning activities, but just to study the environment and review our preparation as a party and ensure inclusivity,” he stated.
According to the chairman, the APC is determined to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along as the party continues to expand across the country.
“Both at national and sub-national levels, I want to carry everybody along with the party. We have new members who have come in, new governors, new members. The party is expanding every day, we are growing beyond bounds, and we want to ensure that nobody is left behind,” he said.
Yilwatda also described President Tinubu’s contribution to the meeting as highly impactful, stressing that the President’s political experience has continued to guide the party’s growth.
“Mr President is a shrewd politician, very experienced, and his advice was remarkable,” he said, attributing the party’s expansion to Tinubu’s deep understanding of the political process.
Those in attendance included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; House of Representatives Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; Chief Whip of the House, Usman Bello Kumo; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru.
Meanwhile, the APC has released a revised timetable for its congresses and national convention. Ward congresses are scheduled for February 18, followed by local government congresses on February 20. State congresses will hold on March 7, while zonal congresses are fixed for March 21. The national convention is slated for March 27 and 28.
Party leaders are expected to intensify consultations nationwide as preparations continue, with the APC seeking to strengthen internal unity and effectively integrate its growing membership.
