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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu arrived at Eagle Square in Abuja on Friday evening for the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, where the party will elect a new National Chairman and other top officials.
Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 8:10 p.m.—three hours behind the scheduled 5:10 p.m. slot—kicking off the official opening with the national anthem at 8:15 p.m.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had arrived earlier.
The event, themed “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” is the APC’s fourth elective national convention since its 2013 formation from mergers including the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party, and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Past conventions saw John Odigie-Oyegun elected as inaugural chairman in Lagos in 2014, followed by Adams Oshiomhole in 2018 amid controversy, a caretaker committee under Governor Mai Mala Buni in 2020, and Senator Abdullahi Adamu in 2022. Adamu resigned in July 2023 over clashes with the presidency; former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje replaced him but stepped down abruptly on June 27, 2025, citing health issues amid internal conflicts and zoning disputes.
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Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Dalori has acted in the interim.
Accredited delegates from Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT streamed in from 9:00 a.m., joined by governors, National Assembly leaders, and special guests from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Prayers opened proceedings, led by APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel (Christian) and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan (Muslim).
INEC’s Electoral Act 2022 guidelines require parties to notify conventions, elect officers in line with their constitutions, and submit names promptly—or face sanctions such as unrecognised leadership or deregistration.
The night promises a full slate of elections for National Chairman, deputies (North and South), secretary, and National Working Committee members. Highlights include Tinubu’s 15-minute address (delayed from 7:20 p.m.), dissolution of executives, voting, a special lecture, reform remarks from officials such as Finance Minister Wale Edun and the NIMC Director-General, as well as goodwill messages from labour, youth, women, persons with disabilities, and market women groups.
Aminu Masari, National Convention Planning Committee chair, will deliver opening remarks; Governor Buni, the secretary, will outline proceedings; and Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Election Subcommittee chair, will address the ballot process. Activities are expected to run late into the night, ending with results, the new chairman’s speech, a vote of thanks, and formal closure.
