Ahead of the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are expected to be elected, indication has emerged that the party might settle for consensus arrangement. This was revealed by the party’s national chairman, Professor Yilwatda Nentawe, even as governors have concluded plans to determine the next occupiers of key positions.

Media aide to the national chairman, Abimbola Tooki, told Daily Sun that the ruling APC would settle for consensus arrangements in electing the next members of the NWC.

He noted that consensus arrangements are usually the first option of the APC, before it settles for an open contest. He also noted that leaders of the party at every level would be carried along. The party, in December 2025, announced that it would hold its national convention in March 2026. During the convention, new members of the NWC will be elected to serve for a period of four years.

While some key positions are expected to be keenly contested, others may be settled through consensus arrangements by key leaders of the party, governors and the Presidency.

Daily Sun gathered from some party leaders that the struggle to control the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 and future elections, involves a mix of governors who emerged before and during the 2023 general elections and recent defectors who are seeking to displace the current power brokers within the party.

Governors from Delta, Edo, Kogi, Kano, Enugu, Bayelsa, Plateau, Taraba, Ondo, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, among others, have since commenced moves to establish a foothold, Daily Sun has learnt.

Some of the governors assumed office after the current national leadership emerged, leading to a disconnect between the state governors and the party’s national organ.

The current NWC was inaugurated in March 2022, following the national convention at Eagle Square, Abuja. Under Article 17(1) of the APC’s Constitution (2022 as amended), party officers serve a four-year term; meaning the current tenure is set to expire next month.

However, a constitutional loophole exists. While officers are eligible for re-election, a party chieftain noted that though the law allows it, “it may not be practically feasible” given the current political climate.

The national chairman, Professor Yilwatda Nentawe and Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, are both eligible to seek a second term.

A source said the coast may be clear for the national chairman, whose emergence in late 2025, was endorsed by governors of the party. However, the fate of the national secretary is yet to be settled, though the South West is still expected to retain the position.

In Delta State, the NWC representative, Mr. Felix Morka, originally nominated by former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, finds his position in jeopardy.

Following Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection to the APC and his subsequent fallout with Omo-Agege, Daily Sun has gathered that the Governor has reached an agreement with power brokers to produce Morka’s replacement.

Governor Monday Okpebholo is actively working to install a loyalist in the NWC. Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the party, until Okpebholo’s emergence as governor, controlled various organs of the party in Edo State.

However, that total control may soon cave in under the weight of Okpebholo, who is bent on producing the next NWC member from Edo State. The current national woman leader from Edo State was produced by Oshiomhole.

The ‘Confluence State’ is a major flashpoint. James Abiodun Faleke, a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, currently maintains a firm grip on national officers from Kogi State.

This has placed him at odds with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, with rumours suggesting Faleke may even be positioning himself to challenge Ododo’s second-term ticket.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang is locked in a leadership struggle with his predecessor, Senator Simon Lalong. With the national chairman who hails from Plateau State, the stakes are exceptionally high and it remains unclear if a truce will be reached before the national convention.

Governor Umo Eno faces a complex situation. The existing APC structure in Akwa Ibom is fiercely loyal to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. An NWC reshuffle could either bridge the gap or further fracture the relationship between the Governor and the Senate President.

In contrast, Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) appear to have consolidated power. Due to a lack of entrenched APC heavyweights in their respective states, both governors are expected to play decisive roles in selecting their states’ next national officers.

With party primaries expected by mid year and general elections looming next year, the outcome of the convention will be decisive. The governors view the control of the NWC as a prerequisite for securing their political interests and ensuring favourable outcomes in the upcoming electoral cycles. (The Sun)

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