…How 3 NWC members lost to high-wire politicking
…Ekiti, Osun caretaker excos get 6-month tenure extension
The just-concluded National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has produced winners and losers, with three members of the former National Working Committee (NWC) losing their re-election bids to intrigues.
The casualties of the exercise were the Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu; Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, and the Financial Secretary, Bashir Gumel.
Blueprint gathered that those who lost out did so as a result of high-wire politics and zoning disagreement with the governors from their zones.
The 8th National Convention, which was held late Friday night in Abuja, also saw the re-election of the incumbent National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, among others.
More than 8, 000 delegates, who picked the new leaders through a voice-vote following the adoption of a consensus arrangement, also returned 20 other members of the NWC.
The new officials were immediately sworn in.
Those sworn in were the Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Dalori (Borno); Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye (Enugu); Deputy National Secretary, Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa); National Vice Chairman (North-central), Mu’azu Bawa Rijau (Niger); Deputy Vice Chairman (North-east), Dr. Mustapha Salihu (Adamawa); National Vice Chairman (North-west), Mohammed Datti (Kaduna); National Vice Chairman (South-east), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Imo); National Vice Chairman (South-south), Chief Victor Ton Giadom (Rivers); and the National Vice Chairman (South-west), D. I. Kekemeke (Ondo).
Others were the National Legal Adviser, Barrister Muritala Aliyu Kankia (Katsina); National Treasurer, Uguru Matthew Ofoke (Ebonyi); National Financial Secretary, Amb. (Jigawa); National Organising Secretary, Suleiman M. Argungun (Kebbi); National Welfare Secretary, Ignatius Nwapa (Abia); National Publicity Secretary, Bart Felix Morka (Delta); National Auditor, Sen. Abubakar Maikafi (Bauchi); National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile-Idele (Edo); National Youth Leader, Abdullahi Dayo Israel (Lagos); Special (Persons With Disability) Leader, Tolu Bankole (Ogun); Deputy National Organising Secretary, Emeka Okafor (Anambra); Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko (Kogi); Deputy National Women Leader, Zainab Ibrahim (Taraba); and the Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo (Gombe).
Six national ex-officio members and zonal officers elected at last Wednesday’s congresses were also inaugurated with the new saddled with the task of steering the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda’s assurances
Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, the re-elected National Chairman, Yilwatda, described his re-election as a “call to greater service,” pledging commitment to party unity and national progress.
“We are ready to serve, ready to lead, and ready to build the party together with the nation,” he said, assuring members that the new leadership would not “fail or falter” in its responsibilities.
The event was attended by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors, members of the National Assembly, and other key figures within the party.
Caretaker excos’ tenure
In a related development, the Convention ratified a six-month extension of the tenure of its caretaker committees in Ekiti and Osun states, as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structures and ensure stability.
The decision was made following a motion moved by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin.
Barau described the extension as an “urgent administrative and organisational necessity” aimed at sustaining the party’s leadership framework and maintaining operational continuity in the affected states.
He said the tenure of the caretaker committees at the ward, local government, and state levels in Ekiti and Osun was originally scheduled to expire at the end of March 2026.
According to him, the committees have played a critical role in stabilising the party’s affairs and ensuring effective coordination of activities.
The Convention also affirmed officers elected during the ward, state, and zonal congresses, a move seen as strengthening the party’s internal democratic processes.
Barau emphasised that extending the tenure of the caretaker committees would allow for the peaceful and orderly conduct of congresses, as well as adequate preparations by relevant party organs.
“It is expedient in the overall interest of the party to extend the tenure of the caretaker committees to allow for proper consolidation and preparation for the conduct of congresses,” he said.
He said further that the Convention, as the party’s highest decision-making body, was empowered by its Constitution to take necessary actions to ensure stability and effective administration.
Barau urged the party’s stakeholders to utilise the extension period to conclude all arrangements for the conduct of ward, local government, and state congresses in Ekiti and Osun, while calling on members to remain calm and supportive.
Other dignitaries in attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; all the APC governors; ministers, and other top government functionaries.
Governors present at the event were those from Kogi; Benue; Nasarawa; Niger; Kano; Borno; Adamawa; Gombe; Taraba; Yobe; Jigawa; Kebbi; Kaduna; Katsina; Zamfara; Rivers; Sokoto; Imo; Enugu; Ogun; Lagos; Delta; Cross River; Edo; Ebonyi, and Ondo states, among others.
Also, in attendance were the chairman of the APC Convention Coordination Committee and former governor of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Masari; former APC national chairmen; state chairmen; lawmakers; former governors, and other key stakeholders.