*As Three APC NWC members lose re-election bids
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President Bola Tinubu has firmly dispelled notions that the All Progressives Congress’ political dominance is evolving into a one-party state, while branding relentless opposition attacks on the Electoral Act 2026 as “a disservice to the Nigerian people.”
Speaking at the APC’s 4th Elective National Convention at Eagles Square, Abuja, on Friday night, President Tinubu declared his belief in a credible opposition as essential to democratic governance.
“Let me reiterate, especially to those who often lament and misunderstand us: we do not seek a one-party state. Democracy thrives on vibrant and healthy competition,” Tinubu stated.
“As a statesman and political leader, I believe in a credible opposition — one that can challenge, question and help refine policies. That is how statecraft improves, and good governance is achieved.”
President Tinubu defended the Electoral Act 2026, which has come under sustained criticism from opposition parties, describing it as the product of rigorous legislative processes.
He said the Act, born of “the crucible of legislative scrutiny, including public hearings”, embodies Nigeria’s “collective quest to strengthen our electoral system.”
The President’s remarks appeared aimed at countering opposition claims that recent amendments to the electoral framework favour the ruling party.
The convention re-elected Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator Ajibola Basiru as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively through consensus.
Other members of the National Working Committee were also returned through consensus at the convention chaired by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, moved the motion for the adoption of consensus as the mode of election of national officers. The motion was seconded by the Governor of Kaduna State and Vice Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Uba Sani.
The National Legal Adviser of the party had earlier moved the motion for the dissolution of the outgoing National Working Committee to pave way for the election of new members.
The convention adopted the congresses conducted at ward, local government, and state levels following a motion moved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and seconded by the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma.
The convention also approved the extension of the tenure of Caretaker Committees in Ekiti and Osun states in the interest of party unity.
The new officials were immediately sworn in at the convention grounds.
They are National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda (Plateau); Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Abubakar Dalori (Borno); Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye (Enugu); National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru (Osun); 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), Hon. Mohammed Datti (Kaduna); National Vice Chairman (South East), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Imo); National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Hon. Victor Ton Giadom (Rivers); and National Vice Chairman (South West), D. I. Kekemeke (Ondo).
Others are National Legal Adviser, Barr. Muritala Aliyu Kankia (Katsina); National Treasurer, Uguru Matthew Ofoke (Ebonyi); National Financial Secretary, Amb. (Jigawa); National Organizing Secretary, Suleiman M. Argungun (Kebbi); National Welfare Secretary, Hon. Ignatus 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, Hon. Emeka Okafor (Anambra); Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Duro Meseko (Kogi); Deputy National Women Leader, Hon. Zainab Ibrahim (Taraba); and Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hon. Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo (Gombe), and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Duro Meseko.
Six national ex officio members and zonal officers elected at last Wednesday’s congresses were also inaugurated during the convention.
The new leadership is expected to steer the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking under the theme “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda”, President Tinubu opened with optimism and gratitude.
“Today, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude, pride, and hope. Gratitude to God Almighty for His grace upon our nation and our party. Pride in what we have built together as a party since 2013, and optimistic about a bright future for our nation, despite the challenges we face,” Tinubu said.
He hailed the convention as “a defining chapter in the story of our democracy”, urging renewal of bonds forged when patriots “set aside our political differences for national redemption.”
President Tinubu led delegates to observe a minute’s silence for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away recently.
“May Allah continue to keep his soul in Aljana Firdaus,” Tinubu said.
Another minute’s silence was observed for other departed party leaders.
“May their souls rest in perfect peace,” the President added.
Tinubu vowed to deepen their vision: “All the departed members and those of us still alive bearing the torch did not build this party for division and selfishness.”
President Tinubu made a clarion call for unity within the party, warning against ego and division.
“Our greatest strength has never been in our size or numbers, but our unity. Political parties do not fail only through electoral defeats. Often, they falter when ego overrides ideology. We must guard against those tendencies at all costs,” Tinubu stated.
The President emphasised that the APC is not merely a “vehicle to carry ambitious politicians to electoral victories” but one for transformation where “every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region or social status, can live with dignity and hope.”
“Our party is strong, united, focused and ready for the future,” he declared.
On governance, Tinubu recommitted to the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as more than a campaign slogan.
“We made a solemn promise to chart a new course for national renewal. That agenda was not conceived as just another campaign slogan. It was conceived as a governing philosophy,” he said.
Despite global challenges such as the “US-Israeli-Iranian War”, the President listed achievements including:
- Superhighways and concrete-and-steel roads
- Seaport and airport modernisation
- Tax reforms
- Social investments
- Security improvements
- Foreign exchange buffers
- Rising stocks
- GDP growth
- Trade surpluses
- Inflation reduced to 14.45% over eight months
“Our Eurobond issuance was oversubscribed by 400%, and Nigeria exited the FATF Grey List,” Tinubu added.
He framed these as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s shift “from survival mode to stability and steadily towards an era of prosperity”, insisting programmes are “real, visible, feasible, impactful, measurable, and not mere rhetoric.”
President Tinubu addressed longstanding concerns over erratic electricity supply, acknowledging “legacy issues such as electricity supply, debts to GENCOs and gas suppliers, and antiquated transmission infrastructure.”
“I assure you, many of you lamenting the problems of electricity power. Yes, we are paying attention to that,” Tinubu stated.
He revealed plans for the Grid Asset Management Company: “Recently, we announced plans to address this by establishing the Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO), which will inject approximately 1,600 megawatts into a new grid corridor.”
“We are going to improve. Electricity will become better and be rest assured,” the President said.
He linked improved electricity supply to broader economic opportunities: “There will be opportunity and progress in our industrial life.”
The Grid Asset Management Company was created on March 4 after the Federal Executive Council approved a proposal by Tinubu for its establishment.
President Tinubu addressed the youth directly: “You are not only the future of Nigeria. You are our hope. Your creativity, innovation, digital fluency are our greatest national assets.”
He added that the party must nurture young people “as decision makers.”
To women, he stated: “A party that excludes women weakens itself; a party that empowers women will be stronger. We have heard your calls, and we will act.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared that President Tinubu and the APC leadership’s style of governance is strengthening the ruling party while steadily reducing the influence of the opposition.
“APC is showing the way. I want to say that, as a result of the good governance brought by Mr President, there are now only two political parties in Nigeria: APC and others. APC and others,” Akpabio said.
He praised Tinubu’s reforms across key sectors including the economy, infrastructure, security, and agriculture.
“From removing subsidies, to harmonising the idea of multiple exchange rates, and to your reforms in the education sector, you have brought about progress that now gives students greater opportunities for national education. You have brought about agricultural revolution,” the Senate President stated.
Akpabio highlighted infrastructure development: “Now people can travel from Lagos all the way to Ibadan. Now people can travel from Lagos to Calabar. As I speak now, I have taken a ride through the coastal roads that we contemplated 50 years ago in the Niger Delta region.”
He noted that the APC now controls 32 governorships and the number is growing.
“By election day, we may have more,” Akpabio said.
On security, the Senate President assured: “We are on course. With the support of Nigerians, we shall overcome these challenges. We are going to bring peace to Nigeria. We are going to restore peace to the APC family.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, called on the APC to ensure the return of President Tinubu and committed lawmakers in the 2027 general elections.
“This is why I say that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must continue this work beyond 2027. Not for sentiment. Not for convenience. But because the work has begun, and it must be completed. Because the foundation has been laid, and it must be built upon. Because the path has been chosen, and it must be sustained,” Abbas stated.
He commended Tinubu for choosing reform over comfort, noting that revenues to states have improved, transparency has increased, infrastructure is advancing, and security coordination is strengthening.
“Reform is not a sprint. Reform is a journey. Reform is a commitment. And that commitment requires continuity,” the Speaker said.
Abbas extended the call for continuity to the legislature, warning that the high turnover of lawmakers has come at a cost.
“The high turnover of Senators and Members over the years has come at a cost to governance, to lawmaking, and to public resources spent on constant training and retraining. Experience is lost. Institutional memory is weakened. Momentum is broken,” he stated.
“We cannot continue to start every cycle afresh and expect consistent progress. The legislature is not separate from this journey. It is a partner in it,” Abbas said.
He added: “We cannot change direction in the middle of the journey. We cannot abandon progress halfway. We cannot trade certainty for uncertainty.”
Convention Chairman Aminu Masari dismissed the opposition African Democratic Congress as lacking fresh ideas or new faces.
“Who was not in government? Tell me. Some for 20 years, some for 15 years, eight years. Is there anybody new?” Masari said.
“You have not shown me anybody new in this business that we don’t know, that we have not participated with, or that we have not contested elections against.”
The former Katsina State governor declared that the APC is fully prepared for the 2027 elections.
“In terms of popularity, APC is number one, whatever the permutations,” he said.
“As a party, we are not afraid. We are very ready.”
Masari defended the removal of fuel subsidies: “We have removed all the distortions in the oil market, and people are getting value for their money. More money is now coming to the state, local, and federal governments for development. Previously, that money was going into the hands of a few individuals.”
President Tinubu demanded decorum from party members: “Conduct yourselves with integrity. Let no contest divide us.”
He lauded the convention organisers — Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mai Mala Buni, Hope Uzodimma, and Dapo Abiodun.
He charged new leaders: “Lead with courage, lead with integrity, and lead with vision. Sustain this expansive political structure through credible leadership.”
The President closed: “May God bless our great party. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The convention was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, 31 state governors, ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and 8,453 delegates from across the country.
The convention consolidates the APC’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the party now firmly united behind President Tinubu’s second term bid.
The endorsement of continuity by top party figures — from the Senate President to the Speaker of the House — signals a coordinated campaign message that will frame the next electoral cycle around completing ongoing reforms rather than starting afresh.
The retention of Yilwatda and Basiru at the helm of the party’s National Working Committee ensures administrative continuity, while the ratification of congresses at all levels confirms the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the elections.
President Tinubu’s emphatic rejection of one-party state fears, combined with his defence of the Electoral Act 2026, signals the APC’s readiness to engage opposition criticism head-on while maintaining its dominant position in Nigerian politics.
With 31 governors, control of the National Assembly, and a united front, the APC enters the 2027 election season as the clear frontrunner — though the opposition continues to explore coalition arrangements that could challenge the ruling party’s dominance.
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