Barring any last-minute changes, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to retain Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Dr Ajibola Basiru as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, at its forthcoming national convention, as stakeholders intensify efforts to sustain continuity within the National Working Committee (NWC).
Senior party officials who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that approximately 20 current officeholders are seeking re-election to the NWC.
They are engaging governors and other stakeholders to secure support ahead of the March 27–28 convention.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, confirmed that party leaders had adopted a consensus arrangement to promote unity, reduce internal disputes, and ensure a peaceful convention.
In accordance with its revised timetable, the APC has concluded ward and local government congresses in most parts of the country, except in a few states where the exercise was postponed.
The national convention scheduled for March will culminate in the election of members of the NWC.
The Convention Planning Committee, chaired by former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, has been mandated to oversee the exercise.
According to Article 17 of the APC Constitution (March 2022, as amended), party officers serve a four-year term and may be re-elected for one additional term.
Most current NWC members were elected in August 2023, while Yilwatda assumed office as National Chairman in July 2025.
A party source disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has indicated a preference for retaining Yilwatda and Basiru.
The source stated: “What I can tell you now is that the matter concerning the National Secretary and the National Chairman has been settled.
“From what we have gathered, and based on what the President has informed some party members, he prefers to retain Senator Basiru as the national secretary and have Prof Yilwatda continue as the national chairman of the party.
“If the President does not change his mind, it is highly likely that these two individuals will retain their positions in the next NWC. Discussions regarding other offices are still ongoing.”
Another source acknowledged earlier reservations about retaining Basiru due to regional considerations but said those concerns had diminished.
He stated: “Before now, some leaders of the party were sceptical about having the current national secretary retain that position because he is from the Southwest and the President is also from the Southwest.
“However, since he has served since 2023, many leaders believe he can continue for another term.”
The PUNCH