APC Overhauls Leadership at Convention, Retains Core Figures, Axes Three NWC Members
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a refreshed National Working Committee (NWC), keeping a majority of its former leadership while dropping three members in a late-night consensus exercise at its 8th National Convention in Abuja.
The reconstituted leadership, announced at Eagle Square, reflects a strategic blend of continuity and limited reshuffle, as party stakeholders opted to return most incumbent officials while making selective changes in key positions.
Among those retained are National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, both of whom secured fresh mandates alongside several other returning officers.
However, three notable figures from the previous NWC Emma Eneukwu, Chidi Duru, and Bashir Gumel did not make the new list, marking the only significant departures from the outgoing team.
The newly elected officials emerged through a consensus arrangement and were immediately sworn in, with the Vice President Kashim Shettima presiding over the oath-taking ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Nentawe pledged loyalty and commitment to the party, assuring members that the new leadership would not disappoint.
“I will not disappoint the party for the confidence reposed in me,” he said.
Other key positions filled include Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Dalori; Deputy National Chairman (South), Ben Nwoye; and Deputy National Secretary, Abdulkarim Kana. The party also elected zonal vice chairmen across the six geopolitical zones, alongside principal officers such as National Legal Adviser, Muritala Kankia; National Treasurer, Uguru Ofoke; and National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungun.
Additional positions filled include National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka; National Women Leader, Mary Alile-Idele; and National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, among others.
The exercise also saw the inauguration of deputy national officers, six national ex-officio members, and zonal executives earlier elected during the party’s zonal congresses.
The convention underscores the APC’s reliance on internal consensus as a mechanism for leadership selection, even as it makes limited changes to its top decision-making body ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
FULL LIST OF NEW APC NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE (NWC) FROM THE 8th CONVENTION are
• National Chairman – Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda
• Deputy National Chairman (North) – Ali Bukar Dalori
• Deputy National Chairman (South) – Dr. Benjamin Obi Nwoye
• National Secretary – Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru
• Deputy National Secretary – Prof. AbdulKarim Abubakar Kana
• National Legal Adviser – Murtala Aliyu Kankia
• National Treasurer – Uguru Mathew Ofoke
• National Financial Secretary – Amb. Haruna Ginsau
• National Organising Secretary – Muhammad Sulaiman Argungu
• National Welfare Secretary – Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa
• National Publicity Secretary – Felix Morka
National Auditor – Sen. Abubakar Maikafi
• National Women Leader – Dr. Mary A. Idele
• National Youth Leader – Dayo Israel
• National Leader (Persons with Disabilities) – Aare Durotolu Oyebode Bankole
• Deputy National Financial Secretary – Hammam Adamu Ali Kumo
• Deputy National Organising Secretary – Barr. Emeka Okafor
• Deputy National Women Leader – Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim
• Deputy National Publicity Secretary – Hon. Meseko Durosinmi Josiah
• Deputy National Welfare Secretary – Dr. Christopher Michael Akpan
• Deputy National Auditor – Mr. Olugbenga Olayemi
• Deputy National Legal Adviser – Barr. Ibrahim Salawu
• Deputy National Treasurer – Engr. Ben Akak
• Deputy National Youth Leader – Jamaludeen Kabiru
• National Ex-Officio (North Central) – Dr. Opawoye Oluwatoyin Bunmi
• National Ex-Officio (North East) – Adamu Jallah
• National Ex-Officio (North West) – Kano Muhammed Jamu Yusuf
• National Ex-Officio (South East) – Hon. Ikechukwu Umeh
• National Ex-Officio (South South) – Mr. Francis Kolokolo
• National Ex-Officio (South West) – Hon. Bunmi Orinowo
