The ruling All Progressives Congress on Tuesday screened the National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and other aspirants for positions in the party’s National Working Committee.
The chairman of the screening sub-committee and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, assured a transparent and credible convention during the exercise held at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, ahead of the APC’s national convention scheduled for March 27–28.
As outlined in Article 11, Section 12.4 of the APC Constitution (March 2022, as amended), the National Working Committee comprises the National Chairman, National Secretary, Deputy National Chairman (South), and Deputy National Chairman (North).
Additional members include the Deputy National Secretary, six National Vice Chairmen representing each geopolitical zone (Zonal Chairmen), the National Legal Adviser, National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, National Organising Secretary, National Welfare Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor, National Woman Leader, Deputy National Woman Leader, National Youth Leader, and the National Leader for Persons Living with Disabilities.
Most members of the current APC National Working Committee were elected in August 2023, while the incumbent national chairman took office in July 2025.
Notably, Article 17, titled Tenure of Office of the APC Constitution (March 2022 as amended) states that: “Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, all officers of the party elected or appointed into the party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four (4) years only, provided that an officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall, notwithstanding, be eligible for election to the same Office for two terms.”
The PUNCH on February 24 exclusively reported that Yilwatda and Basiru will be retained in their current positions, as many of the NWC members are reportedly interested in pursuing a second term, contingent on receiving approval from key party leaders, especially the governors.
Oyebanji, speaking before the screening exercise, stated that their responsibility was to vet aspirants by reviewing their credentials and posing key questions.
He stated, “Our duty is to screen all aspirants, even those we know well. We will carefully review their credentials and ask important questions.
“We are committed to ensuring a transparent and fair process, and with the work we and the other sub-committees are doing, this national convention will be credible.”
During his screening, Yilwatda emphasised that in the party, all members are accountable to the system and its processes.
He also highlighted that the party has a strong youth presence. Seeking re-election, Yilwatda stated that under his leadership, the party would prioritise the value of membership over personal friendships.
He stated, “And I must thank you for creating this belief and also ensuring that the system prevails over individuals. And I am so proud that we’re leading the party that is providing the best leadership for democracy in this country.
“Unlike other political parties, where every day you see the members of the convention committee making contrarian statements, arguing among themselves, and sometimes fighting over issues, I have not seen anything like that in the convention committee, in all the subcommittees.
“We’ve seen growth in the party, and it’s not a one-man job. Some of you here have been part of the people who reached out to leaders who were brought back into the APC.
“We’ve also seen the deepening of technology. The registration of the membership has given us more data-driven positioning of the party.
“It is now that we know that our party is more youth-driven than any other party. Before now, most people were telling us that they had the youth. We didn’t know that the youth were with the APC. Fifty per cent of the members of the APC are between the ages of 18 and 35.
“And it shows clearly that we have the youth on our side. We are the most youthful party in the country. People within the age of 50 and above make up just 18 per cent of the membership of the party.
“It clearly shows that the party is one of the most youthful parties in the country, which means the party has a future.”
The APC national chairman further noted that the party had demonstrated a more inclusive system than any other political party in Nigeria.
“APC is the only political party with a presence across all six geopolitical zones. Is it the governors? Is it the membership? Is it winning elections? If you look at all the by-elections conducted, we’ve won elections in all six zones. No political party has done this.
“Most political parties dominate only a zone, but APC has presence in all six geopolitical zones — we’ve won in Kano, Zaria, Adamawa, the Southwest, the South-South, and the Southeast. It shows the reach and strength of the party,” he added.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his screening, Basiru, who is also seeking re-election, stated that he and other members of the NWC would focus on strengthening the party and ensuring that its structures, from polling units to the national convention, are fully active.
He added that the screening committee commended their efforts since assuming leadership of the party in August 2023.
He stated, “And of course, we are charged to continue to work towards making the party cohesive and to ensure fairness and justice to all party members.
“So, by and large, when you are a member of the party, and you are contesting for the same position, it will be a double-edged sword.”
Basiru, who is the sole aspirant for the position of the national secretary, expressed optimism that the convention would be peaceful, vibrant, and one of the most memorable political gatherings in Nigeria.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Francis Duru, said contrary to perception, Friday’s convention is not a coronation but a consensus arrangement.
“I would like to say that it is majorly consensus. It also underpins the basic tenet for which APC is known.
“As much as possible, building a consensus, bringing people together behind the scenes, working harder to ensure that there is no rupture and there is no implosion, as people would like to have it.
“It does not mean that there are no contests. It doesn’t mean that there are no disagreements. But once the party has the internal mechanism, there can only be one person that occupies an office; it cannot be two, and if it is two, it makes it a lot easier,” he said.
Among the current NWC members screened to retain their positions are National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser, Prof Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa State), National Woman Leader, Mary Alile Idele (Edo State), and National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, among others.
Meanwhile, the Media and Publicity Committee of the convention has announced plans to hold a global press conference on Thursday to outline its preparations.
The announcement was made by the committee’s co-chairman and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting of the committee on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, the committee said, “As part of what we need to do, a major press conference will be held on Thursday to unveil the expectations of the party to Nigerians.”
He urged committee members to work collaboratively to ensure effective communication and the successful delivery of the convention, stressing the need for unity and commitment.
“It is important that members of the committee realise that a lot of sacrifice is expected from all, in line with the party’s vision for a united and disciplined approach to communicating to Nigerians,” he stated.
Idris also reminded members of the importance of maintaining internal democratic values within the party, noting its status as Africa’s largest political party.
“As party members, we must subject ourselves to a significant attribute of our President, who throughout his political career, and particularly in the last three years of his national leadership, has subjected himself to all internal democratic processes,” he added.
The APC national convention is scheduled to take place from March 27 to 28, 2026, in Abuja.
Among those in attendance at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare; Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu; House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Tunde Rahman; Vice Chairman of the Committee, Istifanus Gyang; Assistant Secretary, Mary Ikoku; Secretary 1, Abimbola Tooki; and others.
