The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed it will use a consensus method to select its national leadership at the party’s upcoming convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.
The disclosure was made by Mary Ikoku, Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity of the APC National Convention 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
Ikoku explained that while the consensus model will be applied for leadership positions at the convention, the approach for selecting candidates for elective offices across the country remains uncertain. She noted that political dynamics often differ by location, leaving room for varying strategies at different levels of the party.
According to her, consensus may not be feasible in all cases involving elective positions, as local political considerations and stakeholder interests could influence outcomes.
She also addressed concerns surrounding provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political parties to maintain updated online membership registers and outlines approved methods for candidate selection, including direct primaries and consensus arrangements.
Ikoku acknowledged that compliance with the law presents challenges for political parties but criticised opposition groups for raising objections, attributing their concerns to inadequate preparation.
She argued that well-organised parties should have long-term strategies in place and not wait until election periods to begin critical planning processes, warning that a lack of readiness could create operational difficulties.
In preparation for the convention, the ruling party has already begun screening aspirants for positions within its National Working Committee (NWC). Among those screened are Nentawe Yilwatda for National Chairman and Ajibola Basiru for National Secretary.
Other party officials seeking to retain their positions include Dayo Israel, Ali Bukar Dalori, Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, Mary Alile Idele, and Felix Morka.
The convention is expected to play a key role in shaping the party’s leadership structure and strategic direction ahead of future electoral contests.
