APC: How ‘all powerful’ govs handpicked new leaders, axed three incumbents

2026-03-29 - 04:33

By Omeiza Ajayi Before the motion for the adoption of a consensus mode of election was moved at Eagle Square, the real script for the All Progressives Congress APC’s 8th National Convention had already been written in a closed-door marathon session of the party’s powerful governors. It was in this private huddle, away from the hovering cameras and restless delegates, that the state executives hammered out the final “consensus” list – a move that effectively ended the tenures of three National Working Committee (NWC) members before the convention even began. It was there that the APC governors, acting as the party’s ultimate power brokers, met to finalize their position and harmonize the “consensus list” that would later be presented at Eagle Square. During this decisive session, the governors sealed the fate of the NWC, specifically marking three prominent members for removal to pave the way for a restructured executive. The finality of the governors’ decision meant that the convention itself functioned as a formal ratification of a pre-determined script. The three casualties of this high-level consensus were Hon. Emma Eneukwu, the Deputy National Chairman (South) from Enugu State; Nze Chidi Duru, the Deputy National Organizing Secretary from Anambra State; and Hon. Bashir Gumel, the National Financial Secretary from Jigawa State. Their removal was strategically executed following consultations with either their respective state governors or others from the zone. In Enugu, the transition saw Eneukwu replaced after a realignment involving Governor Peter Mbah. In Anambra, the exit of Chidi Duru came as a shock to many, having been one of the most loved in the NWC, while the removal of Bashir Gumel was finalized with the consent of Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi. Chaos at the Gates While the governors had already smoothed the political path, the physical entry to the convention was a different story. The night was defined by a harrowing collapse of order at the Ministry of Finance Gate and the inner entrances of Eagle Square. Policemen, claiming they had orders to bar everyone, threatened to shoot journalists and delegates. The situation turned violent when security forces fired teargas canisters into the dense crowd, leading to scenes of mass commotion where a few ladies fainted and some fell on themselves as mounted police on horses tried to push back the throng. The struggle to enter was described by witnesses as harder than a camel passing through the eye of a needle. In the chaos, many lost valuable personal property, including eyeglasses and mobile phones. Journalists, who were given no official vehicle to convey them to the venue and no designated media centre or seating, were forced to cover the event under extreme physical duress. Accreditation Crisis The logistical failure had begun earlier on Friday at the Transcorp Hilton, where dozens of journalists from national and international outlets protested the “hoarding” of accreditation tags. Media practitioners who had registered days in advance were left stranded for hours without explanation, leading to heated exchanges with the organizers. Security personnel had to be deployed to the hotel to maintain order as frustration boiled over due to the shoddy distribution process. As the night progressed into the early hours of Saturday, Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the solemn inauguration of the new team. Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda of Plateau State was sworn in as the National Chairman, effectively retaining his position. In his acceptance speech, Prof. Yilwatda promised to justify the mandate, even as the echoes of the evening’s turmoil – and the quiet efficiency of the governors’ pre-convention meeting – lingered as the defining themes of the 8th National Convention. The 8th National Convention of the APC will be remembered as a night of stark contrasts, where the high-stakes political triumph of a newly inaugurated leadership was mirrored by a harrowing collapse of order at the gates of Eagle Square. While Vice President Kashim Shettima eventually presided over a late-night ceremony to swear in a restructured National Working Committee, the path to that moment was defined by teargas, physical exhaustion, and a systemic failure in logistics that left many wondering if might had become the only right. For those attempting to access the convention grounds, the experience was less an exercise in democracy and more an ordeal of endurance. Meanwhile, the convention also granted a six-month extension of the tenure of caretaker committees in Ekiti and Osun states. A motion to that effect was moved by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who cited heightened tensions and security concerns ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both states. Relying on Article 13(1) of the APC constitution, Senator Barau said the prevailing situation is not conducive for the conduct of party congresses, hence his call for the extension. The motion was seconded by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele who is from Ekiti state. Regional Breakdown Based on the newly inaugurated All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), the following is the regional breakdown of the leadership following the 8th National Convention. North Central •National Chairman: Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda (Plateau) * National Vice Chairman: Mu’azu Bawa Rijau (Niger) •Deputy National Secretary: Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa) •Deputy National Publicity Secretary: Hon. Duro Meseko (Kogi) North East •Deputy National Chairman (North): Hon. Abubakar Dalori (Borno) •Deputy Vice Chairman: Dr. Mustapha Salihu (Adamawa) •National Auditor: Sen. Abubakar Maikafi (Bauchi) •Deputy National Women Leader: Hon. Zainab Ibrahim (Taraba) •Deputy National Financial Secretary: Hon. Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo (Gombe) North West •National Vice Chairman: Hon. Mohammed Datti (Kaduna) •National Legal Adviser: Barr. Muritala Aliyu Kankia (Katsina) •National Organizing Secretary: Suleiman M. Argungun (Kebbi) •National Financial Secretary: Amb. Haruna Ginsau (Jigawa) South East •Deputy National Chairman (South): Dr. Ben Nwoye (Enugu) •National Vice Chairman: Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Imo) •National Treasurer: Uguru Matthew Ofoke (Ebonyi) •National Welfare Secretary: Hon. Ignatus Nwapa (Abia) •Deputy National Organizing Secretary: Hon. Emeka Okafor (Anambra) South South •National Vice Chairman: Chief Hon. Victor Ton Giadom (Rivers) •National Publicity Secretary: Bart Felix Morka (Delta) •National Women Leader: Dr. Mary Alile-Idele (Edo) South West •National Secretary: Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru (Osun) •National Vice Chairman: D. I. Kekemeke (Ondo) •National Youth Leader: Abdullahi Dayo Israel (Lagos) •Special (Persons With Disability) Leader: Tolu Bankole (Ogun)