Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally constituted a 73-member Central Coordination Committee tasked with overseeing preparations for its national convention, slated for March 2026. The convention is seen as a critical event in shaping the party’s leadership, strategy, and positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a list released on Tuesday, the ruling party announced that Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, will serve as chairman of the committee. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was named vice chairman, while Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni will act as secretary.
The committee brings together a cross-section of serving and former governors, current and former lawmakers, senior party leaders, and key government officials from all regions of the country, reflecting the APC’s intention to maintain broad representation and coordination.
The committee includes several sitting governors, notably:
- Babagana Zulum (Borno)
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos)
- Peter Mbah (Enugu)
- Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano)
- Uba Sani (Kaduna)
- Dikko Radda (Katsina)
- Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers)
In addition, the party has included top federal and legislative figures, such as:
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio
- Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu
- APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
Veteran lawmakers and former House and Senate leaders like Ahmed Lawan, Ken Nnamani, Anyim Pius Anyim, Femi Gbajabiamila, Yakubu Dogara, Dimeji Bankole, and Patricia Etteh are also members.
Former governors and senior party stalwarts, including Adams Oshiomhole, Abdullahi Adamu, Aminu Bello Masari, Abdulaziz Yari, Atiku Bagudu, and Ovie Omo-Agege, round out the committee’s leadership, alongside serving legislators and retired military chief General Christopher Musa.
According to the APC, the Central Coordination Committee will oversee all preparatory activities leading to the March convention. This includes ensuring smooth conduct of party congresses, managing logistics, and facilitating coordination between state chapters and the national leadership.
The party described the committee’s formation as a vital step in strengthening internal democracy, ensuring broad participation, and maintaining party cohesion ahead of the next election cycle.
The March 2026 convention is expected to be a high-profile national event, attracting attention from political watchers, stakeholders, and the electorate due to its implications for the APC’s leadership, policy direction, and electoral planning for 2027.
Analysts note that the committee’s composition reflects the APC’s effort to balance regional representation, experience, and political influence within the party. By including both senior party leaders and current governors, the party appears intent on pre-empting internal disputes and consolidating consensus around leadership arrangements.
“The APC is signalling that it wants this convention to be transparent, orderly, and representative,” said political analyst Dr. Aisha Bello. “Including a mix of veterans and active officeholders shows an attempt to bridge generational and regional divides.”
Observers also highlight the presence of Uzodimma, AbdulRazaq, and Buni at the helm as strategic, given their influence in the Progressive Governors’ Forum, which has often played a key role in shaping party decisions and mediating internal disagreements.
The party’s timetable for congresses and the national convention has already been released, signaling that preparations for the March event are now in full swing. State chapters are expected to conduct ward, local government, and state congresses in accordance with the timeline, feeding into the national process.
For the APC, the March 2026 convention is more than an internal exercise—it will serve as a platform to project unity, consolidate support, and outline electoral strategies for the 2027 general elections.
With a committee of 73 high-profile members, the party appears to be taking no chances, ensuring that logistics, coordination, and compliance with party regulations are meticulously managed. Political watchers say the outcome of this convention could set the tone for leadership contests within the APC and influence its fortunes in the upcoming general elections.