All is set for the 2026 national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two-day event, themed “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” will be held at Eagle Square, Abuja, today and Saturday.
Coming a few months to the 2027 general election, the convention is Ithe fourth organised by the party since it was formed in 2013, following the merger of some opposition parties. The parties, now defunct, were the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The previous conventions were held in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
According to the Media Sub-Committee for the convention, 8,453 delegates drawn from the 36 states and the FCT are expected to attend.
President Bola Tinubu, his deputy, Kashim Shettima, and other functionaries of the federal administration are among the delegates.
Also, delegates from the diaspora will attend for the first time, marking a significant development for the governing party.
Mohammed Idris, subcommittee chair and information minister, said the large number of delegates accredited for the event “demonstrates inclusiveness, and organisational strength of our great party.”
A major exercise taking place at the convention is the election of a 25-member National Working Committee (NWC), alongside five non-NWC members and six national ex-officio members representing the six geopolitical zones as listed in Article 11 Section 12.4 of the party’s constitution. The contestants were screened by a committee on Tuesday.
Current occupants of some positions elected at the 2022 convention are seeking re-election. However, the National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who also want to return to office, were appointed midway following the resignation of the previous occupants of the positions.
The Central Coordinating Committee chair, Aminu Masari, said the party is ready for the convention, noting that its multiple sub-committees had completed their assignments.
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“The central coordinating committee started its work about three weeks ago. We started with 25 subcommittees covering all areas.
“We are so far satisfied with all that has been done. And to assure Nigerians and even those outside Nigeria that APC is very ready for the convention of 2026 that will start in the early hours of tomorrow (Friday),” Mr Masari, a former Katsina State governor, said.
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6:59 p.m: Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, arrive at the convention ground.
7:03 p.m: Deputy Senate President of the 9th Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, arrives at the venue.
7:07 p.m: Guests, including former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Betta Edu, the national chairman and vice chairman representing each geopolitical zones, are welcomed to the event.
7:09 p.m: Dance presentation by Ogun State cultural troupe taking place.
7:13 p.m: Recognition of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu; senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, and other delegates
7:17 p.m: Dance presentation by the Edo State cultural troupe.
7:20 p.m: Arrival and recognition of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
7:45 p.m: Recognition of the former senator from Edo State, Matthew Urhoghide; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; senator representing Cross River South, Asuquo Ekpenyong, and senator representing Cross River Central, Eteng Jonah.
7:58 p.m: Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, arrives and his arrival is announced.
8:05p.m: Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Minister of Information, Mohammed Malagi and the Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, are recognised.
8:08 p.m: Music performance by Victor Uwaifo and his crew energises and entertains the convention arena and delegates as proceedings continue.
8:15p.m: President Bola Tinubu makes his way into the arena.
8:16 p.m.: The national anthem is rendered as the president and the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu are formally welcomed into the convention arena.