By Jeremy Fregene
With the All Progressives Congress (APC) navigating turbulent waters ahead of the 2027 elections, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, met with governors elected on the party’s platform to forge a united front as the ruling party convenes its crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today.
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, came on the eve of the NEC session, which is expected to make far-reaching decisions, including deciding on a new substantive National Chairman to replace Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned on June 27.
Leading the APC governors to the Presidential Villa was Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Uzodimma said the talks centred on strategies to reposition the APC and enhance its capacity to deliver on governance promises across all levels.
“We are here to discuss the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting of our party tomorrow (Thursday), and to also share ideas with Mr. President on how best to strengthen our party—at the grassroots, local government, state, and national levels,” Uzodimma explained.
He added, “It was a convivial discussion with Mr. President aimed at ensuring the APC remains a formidable political force and is better equipped to serve Nigerians effectively.”
Pressed on what to expect from today’s NEC meeting, Uzodimma was cautious. “We can’t predict anything until we get there tomorrow,” he remarked.
Among the agenda items expected to dominate today’s NEC meeting is the ratification of a new national chairman, following Ganduje’s resignation, which saw the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari Dalori, step in as Acting Chairman.
Party insiders suggest the leadership tussle has been a source of quiet friction within APC ranks, with various blocs pushing for influence as the party attempts to steady itself amidst growing public discontent over economic hardships and internal squabbles.
In a related development, the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced a last-minute change of venue for today’s NEC meeting. Originally scheduled to hold at the party’s National Secretariat on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, the meeting will now take place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed this in a terse statement on Wednesday, citing “logistics reasons” for the venue change.
Party sources, however, suggest that the move to the Villa underscores the meeting’s strategic importance and Tinubu’s determination to directly steer the outcome in favor of stability and party cohesion.