The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday met in Abuja to deliberate on the composition of the party’s 2027 presidential campaign council and its official position on the outcome of the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.

The meeting, which lasted from 4pm to 6:20pm at the APC National Secretariat, came less than 48 hours after the governorship election in which the party’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, lost to Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.

The meeting was also the first formal gathering of the NWC at the party’s national secretariat since the conclusion of the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 general elections.

The NWC, presided over by National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, also reviewed preparations for the commencement of the 2027 electioneering campaign ahead of the lifting of the ban by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed that the NWC discussed issues relating to the activities of the party and preparations for the formal commencement of campaigns.

He said the party was also reviewing arrangements for the forthcoming flag-off of campaigns in line with the timetable and schedule to be released by INEC.

“What we deliberated upon are issues concerning the party, including the forthcoming flagging-off of campaigns by INEC,” Morka said.

He explained that the APC could commence its campaign once the relevant period opened, provided the party did not violate the electoral timetable.

“The party is at liberty to kick off its campaign any time, provided we didn’t jump the gun by starting earlier than the stipulated date by INEC,” he said.

he NWC also resolved to issue an official statement on the party’s position on the outcome of the Osun governorship election.

Morka said the party would make its position known today.

“Concerning Osun election, I will be issuing a statement to state the position of our great party on Tuesday,” he said.

The decision to issue the statement followed discussions within the party over the outcome of the poll and the performance of the APC candidate.

The Osun election has generated internal discussions within the ruling party, particularly over the party’s campaign structure and the coordination of its efforts during the election.

A source who spoke on the meeting said some NWC members expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the party’s activities were coordinated during the Osun election.

The source alleged that some members felt sidelined by the National Chairman and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, in the conduct of party affairs.

The aggrieved members were also said to have questioned the decision to conduct some party activities outside the national secretariat, rather than at the party’s headquarters as had been the practice.

he source further said some NWC members attributed the Osun outcome partly to what they described as inadequate coordination of the party’s campaign structure.

According to the source, concerns were also raised over the role and effectiveness of members of the National Campaign Council during the election.

The source alleged that members of the campaign council were not allowed to fully perform their assigned responsibilities.

The discussions formed part of the broader review of the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, particularly as the APC begins to organise its presidential campaign structure.

The meeting therefore provided an opportunity for the NWC to consider the composition and coordination of the proposed 2027 presidential National Campaign Council.

The development comes as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the APC expected to organise its campaign structures following INEC’s timetable.

The Osun election has also become an immediate subject of political review within the ruling party following the defeat of its candidate by Adeleke.

The APC is expected to formally communicate its assessment of the election and its position on the outcome when Morka issues the promised statement on today. (The Sun)

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