Abuja, Nigeria — Leaders and members of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress are gathering in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, for the party’s National Convention scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Okay News reports that the event is expected to attract President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, 32 state governors, and 8,453 delegates from across the country.
The convention will also bring together party officials from national, zonal, state, and ward levels. New leaders of the party are expected to emerge during the meeting, which party officials describe as a key moment for internal consultations and leadership transition.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the convention’s Media Sub-Committee, disclosed details of the preparations during a world media briefing held at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Several government officials and party leaders attended the briefing, including Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Idris said the convention theme, “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” reflects the party’s direction and objectives. He stated, “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.
“We are expecting a total of 8,453 delegates. These are the delegates that we are expecting to come from across the 36 states of the Federation to Abuja.
“The forthcoming National Convention marks another milestone in our journey, reflecting both the continuity of our values and the renewal of our leadership. It offers an opportunity to highlight the party’s achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to show how his guiding vision is being transformed into tangible outcomes for Nigerians.’’
He added, “The Renewed Hope Agenda remains central. It guides policy direction, national development, and engagement with Nigerians’ aspirations. The convention is, therefore, also an opportunity to deepen this agenda within our leadership and institutional structure, ensuring that the party and government remain aligned in purpose.”
Former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who chairs the National Convention Central Coordinating Committee, said the party had completed arrangements and was unaware of any court cases that could disrupt the event. He confirmed that 25 sub-committees had finalized preparations.
Ahead of the convention, some party members raised concerns about alleged exclusion from contests. Party chieftain Fubara Dagogo filed a complaint at Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja over his exclusion from the South South Zonal Congress held in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. He said he paid ₦5.1 million (about $3,400) for the nomination form and fulfilled requirements.
Dagogo later indicated he would seek resolution through internal party mechanisms and would not request a court injunction to stop the convention.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s federal government directed civil servants working within the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja to work from home on Friday, March 27, 2026, due to expected traffic and security measures around Eagle Square, the convention venue. Access roads around the complex will remain closed from Friday to Saturday.
Hotels across the Federal Capital Territory recorded high occupancy as delegates arrived, with major establishments fully booked. Preparations continued at Eagle Square, where decorations and welcome billboards were mounted ahead of the gathering. The convention is expected to influence the party’s internal structure and shape preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
