The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to hold its national convention in Abuja with thousands of delegates, top government officials, and party leaders arriving for what has been described as a defining moment for the party’s leadership and direction, ENigeria Newspaper has confirmed.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered that the convention, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Eagle Square, is expected to host 8,453 delegates drawn from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside 32 state governors, members of the federal cabinet, and key stakeholders at all levels of the party.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the gathering represents both a transition and a strategic moment for the ruling party.
According to him, “The convention hopes to bring together delegates from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for policy engagement, leadership elections, and a formal transition to a new set of party executives, presenting both decision-making platforms and also a moment of reflection, consolidation, and direction-setting for the next phase of our journey.”
He added, “We are expecting a total of 8,453 delegates… This clearly demonstrates the national spread, inclusiveness, and organisational strength of our great party.”
Idris further assured that preparations have been concluded to ensure a seamless event, stating, “All arrangements have therefore been concluded for a smooth, transparent, and credible convention. Every detail has been attended to so that the convention proceeds without avoidable disruption.”
Reinforcing the party’s readiness, the APC’s Venue Sub-Committee, led by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Simon Lalong, expressed satisfaction after a final inspection of Eagle Square.
“The party is fully ready to host a successful national convention,” the committee members declared after reviewing facilities and interacting with contractors.
The minister also highlighted logistical and security arrangements already in place, noting that delegate movement has been incident-free so far.
“As we speak, we have not recorded any incidents, and we do not expect any. This reflects the improving security situation and ongoing infrastructure development across the country,” he said, adding that “there will be a media centre to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed.”
On the significance of the convention, Idris pointed to its alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s policy direction. “The Renewed Hope Agenda remains central. It guides policy direction, national development, and engagement with Nigerians’ aspirations… ensuring that the party and government remain aligned in purpose,” he said.
Chairman of the APC National Convention Central Coordinating Committee, Aminu Masari, also affirmed the party’s preparedness and adherence to internal structures, particularly zoning arrangements.
“APC is a responsible party in Nigeria. In line with federal character, all offices are zoned,” he said, dismissing concerns over disputes.
Addressing reports of possible legal challenges, Masari maintained, “We are not aware that anybody has gone to court. We have not been served… If we are served, we will take notice of that.”
Despite these assurances, some aggrieved members have raised concerns over alleged exclusion from party processes ahead of the convention, signalling underlying tensions as the APC prepares to elect new leaders and consolidate its internal structure.
ENigeria Newspaper has also gathered that the federal government has ordered public personnel employed by the Federal Secretariat in Abuja to work from home.
Abdul S. U. Garba, Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, prepared and signed a circular for the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service that contained the directive.
The circular states that from Friday, March 27, to Saturday, March 28, 2026, all access routes going to and surrounding the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phases I, II, and III, will be blocked.
“All Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, Agencies and Offices located within the Federal Secretariat, Phases I, II & III are hereby informed of the closure of all access roads leading to and around the said Federal Secretariat Complex, from Friday, 27th to Saturday, 28th March, 2026,” the statement read.
“This is due to the use of Eagle Square for the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress on the said dates,” the circular stated.
