.It’ll foster unity in party, says Gov. Diri, as Akpabio, South-South Govs vow Tinubu’s re-election
.Giadom retains Zonal Chair
.S’West APC re-elects Kekemeke, targets 2027 landslide for Tinubu
.Leaders emerge in other zones
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it plans to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.
The Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, Mary Ikoku, disclosed the plan during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
On the issue of elective positions during primaries, Ikoku said the party had not yet decided how these would be handled, noting that decisions may vary depending on local political dynamics.
She explained, “APC, for this convention, I am aware and can say that the party is adopting consensus for this convention. As to whether they are adopting consensus for elective positions, I do not have an answer to that because politics is local.
“So, I believe that, at the end of the day, when it comes to the issue of elective positions, the persons who would emerge aren’t often what you would want to make consensus in every space.”
Ikoku also addressed the Electoral Act’s provisions, which require political parties to register members online within a specified timeframe and outline acceptable methods for candidate selection.
She said these requirements posed challenges for some parties but reflected preparedness—or the lack thereof.
“We have an electoral law that defines the models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been taken out.
“That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to. Now, why do you think other political parties will have issues with that?” she asked.
“That would be to say there are levels of unpreparedness of these political parties. Any political party that is worth its salt should not wait till election season to start preparing for the run for office and all of these congresses.
“It is something they would have planned ahead of time. So, when you are not proactive as a party, these kinds of situations can challenge you deeply,” she added.
Ahead of the convention, the party began screening aspirants for key positions in its National Working Committee , including National Chairman aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary hopeful Ajibola Basiru.
Other NWC members seeking to retain their posts include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.
Meanwhile, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) adoption of the consensus mode of electing its officials as the best way of fostering unity and consolidating the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday at the APC South-South Zonal Congress held at Asaba, Delta State.
The Bayelsa governor expressed satisfaction that politically, the South-South region now speaks with one voice under the APC, stressing the need for the region to be part of the decion-making process at the national level.
Diri, who is chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, recalled that when he contested for the governorship in 2019, the delegate election process for primaries in the political parties made the exercise rancorous.
He said the slogan then was that without delegates, there will be no governor, noting however that today, that had changed to consensus building.
His words: “I like to align myself with the previous speakers on the unity of the South-South zone. In this region politically, the South-South now speaks with one voice. This is important because of the strategic nature of the zone.
“If you are not on the sharing table, in terms of decision-making process, you will be left behind. We need to be united that we will not allow petty divisions among us.
“Let us work together for the unity and protection of APC in the South-South and God willing, all our candidates will come out tops in the 2027 elections. There cannot be anything better than a united family.
“Let me congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable achievements so far. Political events such as elective congresses like this were usually filled with rancour and violence. But, today, we have adopted the consensus model to produce our party executives from the wards to the regional level.”
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, commended the outgone national vice chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, for working relentlessly to woo all the governors of the region into the party.
Senator Akpabio expressed excitement that Governor Diri joined the APC, stating that he was an admirer of the Bayelsa governor due to his gentle mien.
“The governors of the South-South zone coming together in the APC was made possible by Chief Giadom. I congratulate you and your team for what you have done. Now that we are complete and focused, we will be the geo-political zone in Nigeria that will turn out the highest votes in 2027 for President Tinubu.
“In the last 46 years or so, our region had not produced a senate president. But under President Tinubu, the South-South region is recognised. We thank the president for giving the South-South a senate president.”
In their goodwill messages, the host governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and his counterparts of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo, and Cross River all spoke on unity of purpose to be able to re-elect President Tinubu for a second term.
All the governors in their remarks vowed to work for the president’s re-election.
Chief Victor Giadom was returned as the party’s zonal chairman alongside seven other zonal executives of the party.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, moved the motion for dissolution of the immediate zone executive and the motion was seconded by his Bayelsa counterpart, Abraham Ingobere.
In his remarks, Giadom said the gathering of the six governors of the region, lawmakers, ministers and other major stakeholders was an indication of the zone’s commitment to return all APC candidates in next year’s poll.
.S’West APC re-elects Kekemeke, targets 2027 landslide for Tinubu
The South-West chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday re-elected Isaacs Kekemeke as its National Vice Chairman for the zone.
Kekemeke and other zonal executive members emerged at the party’s South-West Zonal Congress held at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos.
A total of 3,188 delegates from the six South-West states participated in the congress, where the executives were returned through a consensus arrangement ratified by voice vote.
Chairman of the Zonal Congress Committee, Jide Jimoh, said the adoption of consensus was in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Other officials elected include Femi Aluko (Secretary), Lateef Ibirogba (Organising Secretary), Ayo Afolabi (Publicity Secretary), Adeduyi Daramola (Youth Leader), Ismail Majaro (Legal Adviser), and Dayo Ishola (Representative of Persons with Disabilities).
Party leaders at the event pledged to deliver a landslide victory for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Among dignitaries present were Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Also in attendance were a former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa; and the APC governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the South-West governors, Sanwo-Olu described the congress as peaceful and reflective of the party’s unity in the region.
Sanwo-Olu said, “Today, we have seen the conduct of a free and fair election, following the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act. This congress shows that the South-West is united and a formidable political bloc.”
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, represented by the National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, congratulated the new executives and urged them to work towards ensuring victory for the party in 2027.
In his remarks, Kekemeke expressed confidence in the party’s strength across the region, noting that it would improve its performance in the next general election.
APC re-elects Arodiogbu as South-East National Vice Chairman
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has re-elected Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu as its South-East National Vice Chairman to pilot the affairs of the party in the zone for the next four years.
Arodiogbu emerged alongside other zonal executives during the APC South-East Congress held at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu on Wednesday.
The election was conducted through a consensus arrangement endorsed by party delegates from the five South-East states.
Other members of the newly-elected zonal executive included: Chief Innocent Itapi, Zonal Secretary and Chief Ernest Ogbonna, Legal Secretary.
The rest are: Mr Henry Onwughaluonye, Publicity Secretary; Mr Chima Ogbonnaya, Youth Leader; Dr Stanley Nwachukwu, Leader of Persons with Disabilities (PWD); and Dr Oby Aji, Women Leader.
Announcing the outcome, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, said that the list of candidates was adopted following a motion by party leaders and members.
“When a motion is moved and adopted, it reflects the collective will of the leadership and members of our party to accept these names as consensus candidates representing the South-East,” he said.
In a remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State described the development as a strong indication of the APC’s growing influence in the South-East.
“This is a testament to the fact that APC is firmly rooted in the South-East. The party has continued to grow stronger through the dedication of its leaders and members,” he said.
Mbah commended the efforts of the zonal leadership, national working committee members, and governors from the region for strengthening the party’s structure.
He also congratulated party officials who emerged from previous congresses at ward, local government and state levels, urging unity ahead of the national convention.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his reform initiatives, noting that they had placed Nigeria on the path of economic growth.
Speaking, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo said the consensus arrangement was in line with the party’s constitution and demonstrated internal party cohesion.
“I congratulate members of our great party for the steady growth in membership across the South-East. Today’s exercise reflects our unity and commitment to progress,” Uzodimma said.
In his acceptance speech, Arodiogbu expressed gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him and his team.
The congress was attended by notable party leaders, including: Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, and former Governor of Anambra State, Sen. Chris Ngige.
