The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally announced that it intends to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s upcoming convention, scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.
The decision reflects the party’s effort to ensure unity and cohesion among its leadership ranks, even as internal aspirants prepare for competitive positions within the National Working Committee (NWC).
Mary Ikoku, the APC’s Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the 2026 National Convention, disclosed the plan during an interview on Sunrise Daily.
She confirmed that the consensus model would primarily govern the selection of top leadership, although the party has yet to decide how this approach will apply to elective positions during primaries.
Speaking on the nuances of party politics, Ikoku noted that the method of selecting candidates often varies by region due to local political dynamics. “APC, for this convention, is adopting consensus for leadership positions.
However, whether consensus will apply for elective positions is not yet determined because politics is local,” she said.
She added that in many cases, the candidates who ultimately emerge from the primaries do not always align with a prearranged consensus, reflecting the fluid nature of political competition across Nigeria’s diverse constituencies.
The APC’s choice to emphasize consensus at the convention comes amid growing attention to the requirements of the Electoral Act.
The Act mandates that all political parties maintain a digital register of their members within a specified timeframe and stipulates acceptable methods for candidate selection.
According to Ikoku, these legal requirements have presented challenges for some parties but also serve as a measure of preparedness.
“We have an electoral law that defines models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been removed. That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to,” Ikoku explained.
She questioned why some political parties struggle with these processes, noting that such challenges often reflect a lack of proactive planning.
“Any political party worth its salt should not wait until the election season to prepare for internal contests. Parties should plan ahead, ensuring their registration, congresses, and aspirant screenings are conducted efficiently.
“Failure to do so leaves parties unprepared and vulnerable to regulatory or logistical challenges,” she said.
In preparation for the 2026 convention, the APC has begun the screening process for aspirants seeking key positions in the NWC.
Among the aspirants for top roles are Nentawe Yilwatda, who is vying for the National Chairman position, and Ajibola Basiru, a contender for the National Secretary post.
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These screenings are part of a broader strategy to ensure that aspirants meet internal party standards and demonstrate readiness for the responsibilities associated with national leadership.
Other NWC members seeking to retain their positions include Dayo Israel, Ali Bukar Dalori, Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, Mary Alile Idele, and Felix Morka.
The screening exercise is designed to validate the credentials of both returning officials and new aspirants, ensuring that the APC’s leadership structure is strengthened and aligned with its strategic objectives ahead of the general elections.
The focus on consensus, according to party officials, is intended to minimize internal conflicts and provide a unified platform for governance.
By adopting this approach, the APC aims to create an environment in which leadership disputes are resolved internally, reducing the likelihood of public divisions or factional disagreements that could undermine the party’s performance at the national level.
Analysts suggest that the APC’s decision to emphasize consensus is also a reflection of its broader political strategy.
With several key national positions up for grabs and the stakes high in the forthcoming electoral cycle, the party is seeking to present a united front, projecting stability and organizational readiness to both members and the electorate.
The convention promises to be a decisive moment for the APC, setting the tone for internal governance and signaling the party’s preparedness for upcoming national elections.
While the method of selecting aspirants for elective positions may still generate debate, the commitment to consensus at the highest levels demonstrates a clear intent to prioritize unity and collaboration over internal competition.
As the APC moves closer to its March convention, all eyes will be on the outcomes of the screening exercises, the decisions regarding consensus in elective positions, and the overall effectiveness of the party’s preparations under the guidelines of the Electoral Act.
Observers note that how the APC manages these processes could influence both its internal cohesion and its appeal to voters in the coming electoral cycle.
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