President Bola Tinubu held a closed-door meeting Wednesday evening with governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner, ahead of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Aso Rock Villa, was attended by key APC governors, including Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who were among the early arrivals.
Wednesday’s session served as a platform for President Tinubu to brief the governors on his stance ahead of the NEC gathering, which is slated for 2 p.m. Thursday at the State House Conference Centre. The meeting was initially planned for the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
One of the key topics discussed was the selection of a substantive National Chairman to succeed Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned last month, citing health concerns. The party’s Deputy National Chairman, Ali Dalori, has since assumed the role in an acting capacity.
While some party members support Dalori continuing in the interim role until a formal elective convention is held, others are pushing for a new chairman to emerge immediately. There are calls for the position to be returned to the North-Central zone, with leaders from the region alleging marginalisation. Former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, have been identified as leading contenders for the role.
In addition to leadership issues, Thursday’s NEC meeting is expected to address the party’s financial status, the 2027 election timetable, constitutional review updates, and upcoming party congresses.
