The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will begin the process of electing its officials from the ward, local government, state congresses and national convention on Monday.
This signals the beginning of preparations for next year’s general election.
The party’s ongoing e-registration of members, which started at the beginning of the month, will end tomorrow.
Last night in Abuja, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) reaffirmed the dates for the crucial party elections after being briefed by the National Working Committee (NWC) led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
Both the party leadership and the governors agreed to keep the party in cohesion and maintain a transparent process leading to the elections of party officials from the ward, local government, states, and to the national level.
The schedule of activities stamped yesterday had been ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in December.
The process will climax with the convention at the end of March.
At yesterday’s meeting were: Governors Uzodimma (Imo),
Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau),
Uba Sani (Kaduna),
Mohammed Idris (Kebbi);
Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi),
Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto),
Usman Ododo (Kogi),
Hyacinth Alia (Benue),
Agbu Kefas (Taraba),
Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom),
Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo),
Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos),
and Umar Bago (Niger), among others.
The communiqué issued after last night’s meeting reads:
•“The Forum reaffirmed its collective commitment to deepening internal democracy, strengthening party structures, and advancing reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness within the APC across all levels of the federation.
•“The PGF welcomed the comprehensive briefing by the APC National Chairman on the party’s ongoing national e-registration and digital membership update, which has recorded significant growth, including increased youth participation and the integration of National Identity Number (NIN) verification.
•“The Forum noted that this initiative will enhance data-driven planning, improve demographic insights, and strengthen grassroots engagement across states and communities.
•“The Forum reviewed and endorsed the proposed timetable and institutional framework as approved by NEC for the forthcoming ward, local government, state, zonal congresses, and the national convention.
•“The Forum emphasised the importance of transparent and coordinated financial management in the conduct of congresses and conventions, ensuring fairness, consistency, and accountability across all states, including those without APC-governed administrations.
•“The PGF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to party unity and internal harmony. The Forum underscored the need for responsible leadership communication and collective discipline in strengthening public confidence in the party’s democratic processes.
• “The Forum announced a schedule of strategic engagements and state visits aimed at reinforcing grassroots structures, strengthening party cohesion, and supporting progressive governance across the federation, beginning with a visit to Taraba State and subsequent engagements in other states.
•“The PGF formally welcomed the Governors of Taraba and Plateau states into the Forum, reaffirming the collective resolve of Progressive Governors to work in partnership with the APC leadership to advance national development, democratic consolidation, and people-centred governance.
•“The Progressive Governors Forum expressed its appreciation to the APC National Chairman, National Secretary, and members of the National Working Committee for their constructive engagement and reaffirmed its readiness to continue working closely with the party leadership to deliver a credible, transparent, and unifying congress and convention process in the interest of Nigeria’s democratic growth.”
In a schedule of its activities for 2025/2026 time-table released late last year by National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, the APC said it would end the e-Registration of its members tomorrow.
The membership e-Registration kicked off nationwide last December.
The schedule released via Basiru’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle contained a comprehensive nationwide ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, culminating in the party’s national convention.
According to the timetable, the activities are being conducted pursuant to the provisions of Articles 11 and 17 of the APC Constitution to elect party officials across all levels.
The schedule stated that the December 1, 2025 – January 30, 2026 membership e-Registration will be followed by the issuance of notices of congresses to state and Federal Capital Territory chapters on Monday (February 2, 2026).
According to the schedule, purchase and submission of forms for ward and local government area congresses are scheduled for between February 4 and February 9.
It added that screening committees for ward and local government area positions will be inaugurated on February 10, with screening of aspirants from February 11 to February 13.
Ward congresses are fixed for February 18, while appeals arising from the ward congresses will be heard on February 19; local government area congresses, including the election of three delegates, one of whom must be female, to the national convention, will be held on February 20, with appeals scheduled for February 21.
At the state level, the purchase of forms for state executive positions will commence earlier, from February 23 to February 27, 2025.
Screening and appeals for state executives are slated for late February and early March, while state congresses will be held on March 7.
The time-table stated that appeals from state congresses will be entertained between March 9 and March 11, while the party will then move to the zonal level, with the purchase and submission of forms for zonal congresses and the national convention scheduled for March 12 to March 17.
According to the schedule, zonal congresses will be inaugurated on March 18, followed by the screening of aspirants on March 19 and 20.
It said the zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones will take place on March 21.
The designated zonal offices are Ibadan for the Southwest, Enugu for the Southeast, Rivers/Cross River for the Southsouth, Kaduna for the Northwest, Gombe/Bauchi for the Northeast and Nasarawa for the Northcentral.
Appeals arising from the zonal congresses would be heard on March 23.
The timetable shows that the APC National Convention is scheduled to be held from March 25 to March 28.
