The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it will adopt a consensus arrangement to elect national officers at its upcoming national convention scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2026, in Abuja.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday by Mary Ikoku, Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity of the APC National Convention 2026, who said the ruling party had settled on consensus as the preferred mechanism for choosing its national leadership.
According to Ikoku, while consensus will guide the selection of party executives at the convention, decisions on how candidates emerge during future primaries may differ across states and political zones, depending on local party dynamics.
She noted that candidate selection remains largely influenced by grassroots realities and internal consultations within each political environment.
Electoral Law and Party Preparedness
Speaking on the provisions of Nigeria’s electoral framework, Ikoku referenced the current electoral law, which requires political parties to maintain updated online membership registers and outlines approved methods for candidate emergence.
She explained that the law recognises direct primaries and consensus arrangements, while indirect primaries are no longer provided for under the current legal framework.
“We have an electoral law that clearly defines the models for elections. Direct primaries and consensus are allowed, while indirect primaries have been removed. That is the law of the land,” she said.
Ikoku argued that concerns raised by opposition parties over compliance with these requirements reflect deeper organisational weaknesses.
“Any serious political party should not wait until election season before preparing for congresses, internal elections, and candidate emergence. Lack of preparation naturally creates difficulties when these processes begin.”
She added that political organisations must remain proactive if they intend to compete effectively in national elections.
Screening of Aspirants Underway
Ahead of the convention, the APC on Tuesday conducted screening for aspirants seeking positions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), a process seen as critical to shaping the party’s internal power structure before the next electoral cycle.
Among those screened were aspirants for key offices, including:
- Nentawe Yilwatda for National Chairman
- Ajibola Basiru for National Secretary
Several incumbent officials seeking re-election were also screened, including:
- Dayo Israel, National Youth Leader
- Ali Bukar Dalori, Deputy National Chairman (North)
- Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Legal Adviser
- Mary Alile Idele, National Woman Leader
- Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary
The convention is expected to shape the ruling party’s internal leadership structure ahead of future political contests, with consensus likely to play a central role in managing competing interests within the party.
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