Governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) convened a closed-door meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, as internal consultations within the party intensify ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) session scheduled for Thursday.
The meeting, which is still ongoing, is being hosted at the residence of Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma. It comes just hours before the party’s NEC meeting, which will hold at the Presidential Villa.
Early attendees include Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Monday Okpebholo (Edo). Others present are Bassey Otu (Cross River), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Uba Sani (Kaduna).
While the official agenda of the meeting remains undisclosed, sources suggest that deliberations are centered on the possible selection of a new National Chairman for the party. The position became vacant following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje in June, who stepped down citing health reasons and a desire to take a break from active politics.
Ganduje’s departure has left a leadership vacuum at a critical time, as the APC prepares for by-elections and upcoming governorship contests in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states.
Top on the agenda for Acting National Chairman Ali Bukar Dalori during the NEC will be the ratification of congress schedules, updates on the party’s e-registration process, and the reconstitution of key standing committees.
A key point of debate among party stakeholders is whether the chairmanship should remain in the North-West—Ganduje’s home zone—or revert to the North-Central, where it was originally zoned prior to the 2022 reshuffle. Some leaders advocate for a return to the North-Central in order to maintain regional balance and historical equity within the party. Meanwhile, some quarters are floating the name of former Kano State Governor and NNPP leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as a potential compromise figure, although his alignment with APC remains speculative.
The outcome of this meeting may prove pivotal to the APC’s strategic direction ahead of 2027.