Nigeria’s major political parties the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are moving into high gear for the 2027 general elections, with back-to-back National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings to settle internal disputes and shape new leadership.
Today, the PDP will start the process that will culminate in its 101st NEC meeting on Friday, where a new date for the national convention is expected to be fixed. The convention will produce fresh national officers to lead the party through the primaries and the 2027 polls.
The PDP, rattled by defections of key chieftains to the new opposition coalition platform the African Democratic Congress (ADC) must first resolve internal wranglings, especially over the status of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Although a court ruling backed Anyanwu to continue, some factions are pushing back, creating tension that insiders say should ease once a new leadership emerges at the convention.
Meanwhile, the APC is also finalizing its post-Ganduje era. After Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje stepped down on health grounds on June 27, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, has been acting chairman. Today’s caucus meeting and tomorrow’s NEC session are expected to ratify a substantive National Chairman and approve the party’s congress timetable.
Power Play Over Chairmanship
Ganduje, who hails from the Northwest, succeeded Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Northcentral. Now, the Northcentral caucus is lobbying fiercely to reclaim the chairmanship but the Northwest bloc still wants to hold on to the position, sparking fresh power play.
National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, confirmed he will present the APC’s annual report to NEC members. Sources say the party’s leadership has held extensive meetings with state chairmen and governors to ensure a smooth convention plan.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, APC governors, National Assembly leaders, and other party stakeholders are expected at the decisive NEC meeting.
The PDP’s NEC will take place under a cloud of anxiety. Defections to the ADC and surprise endorsements of President Tinubu by Osun State’s PDP structure have rattled party loyalists. Governor Ademola Adeleke, despite staying in PDP, declared support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 claiming to have the blessing of Osun’s PDP leaders and grassroots.
Osun’s three PDP senators have echoed Adeleke’s stance. Meanwhile, influential PDP figure Oluwole Oke has dumped the party for the APC adding to fears that more pro-Atiku Abubakar chieftains could switch allegiance to the ADC coalition platform.
Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum will preside over the crucial NEC meeting, preceded by a National Caucus session at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro tonight, to iron out remaining disputes.
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