The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) approved the proposed schedule and institutional framework for the upcoming Ward, Local Government, State, Zonal Congresses, and the National Convention. Last Wednesday, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) examined and approved these documents.
Recall that on March 27 and 28, 2026, the ruling party declared the date of its national convention.
However, the ruling party altered the Congress timetable at the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee.
The National Convention will take place from March 27–28, 2026, while the Ward Congresses will now take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Unexpectedly, the APC announced that the Federal Capital Territory, Osun, Ekiti, and Rivers will not be represented at the next Congress.
Felix Morka, the party’s national publicity secretary, told reporters: “There are two grounds for the exceptions for those states, Osun, Ekiti, FCT, and Rivers. There will be elections in One, Ekiti, Osun, and FCT. Therefore, we are exempting them so that the elections can take place. Congresses will then be planned in those states.
“As you may remember, we held off-season and off-cycle congresses in Rivers state last year. We must wait for the term of the executive that was elected at that congress to end before scheduling new congresses in River State.
The ruling party also stated that appeals will take place on March 23 and zonal congresses will take place on March 18 throughout all zones.
Article 11: A(i–xiii) and Article 17(i) of the party’s constitution govern the congresses and national convention.
Many people are wondering how the party plans to handle the results of the congresses and national convention before the general elections in 2027, because the party’s governors have given the go-ahead for them to take place as planned.
The Progressive Governors Forum chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma, stated, “The Forum reviewed and endorsed the proposed timeline and institutional framework as approved by NEC for the forthcoming Ward, Local Government, State, Zonal Congresses, and the National Convention.”
However, ahead of the 2026 national convention, the Concerned APC Stakeholders Forum has urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, and party elders to maintain the current zoning scheme in the sake of justice, equity, and unity.
According to Dr. Dominic Alancha, its convener, the stakeholders felt it was patriotic and appropriate to express their shared stance on important matters that would promote stability, unity, and the APC’s smooth election victory.
In light of this, Alancha also urged the leadership of the various geopolitical zones to investigate microzoning agreements based on equality and balance in order to fortify the party in the state.
“The Concerned APC Stakeholders Forum unquestionably supports the retention of the current zoning formula as adopted and practiced by our party,” he said.
Zoning continues to be a stabilizing mechanism that fosters national balance, equity, inclusivity, and a sense of community among the various factions that make up our party and the federation.
“Avoiding or changing this formula could cause needless stress and erode internal harmony at a time when national cohesiveness is crucial. For the sake of harmony, fairness, and equity, we so urge the National Executive Committee (NEC), President Bola Tinubu, party elders, and all interested parties to maintain the current zoning system.
In order to ensure continuity, the Forum also supported Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s current national chairman.
It stated that the party has seen significant stability under his leadership, as well as advancements in internal party reconciliation, party administration, membership recruitment, and strategic realignment for future election victory.
The Forum made the point that continuity would allow the National Chairman to build on the changes and policies now in place to stabilize the party, improve institutional memory and discipline, and better prepare for future electoral difficulties.
“We are confident that having seasoned leaders at the helm of our party will undoubtedly provide the APC with exceptional visibility as the foremost progressive political party in Nigeria,” the statement stated.
As of right now, it is unclear if the party will maintain the current zoning structure for party offices in order to reduce noise before the 2027 elections or if it would propose a new zoning formula.
