By Jimmy Arch
The State House Conference Centre in Abuja hosted the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caucus gathering. President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), and leaders of the National Assembly, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, were present at the meeting.
Six recently defected governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were present, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas.
Top party officials and supporters were also in attendance, along with party state chairmen, previous national chairman, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, and other party elders and supporters.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caucus gathering at the State House, President Tinubu orders governors to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision regarding LG autonomy. To prevent governors from controlling LG funding, he threatened to issue an executive order.
He emphasized that leadership must extend beyond state capitals to rural communities and called on governors and party leaders to embrace reconciliation, adaptability, and grassroots involvement.
Tinubu added that as part of measures to combat insecurity, he had promised the US and the EU that Nigeria would establish state police.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads,” Tinubu said.
“I told them confidently that we will pass the state police to improve security, I have a party that will make it happen.”
The president expressed sympathy to the Bayelsa State administration and citizens regarding the deputy governor’s passing and offered prayers for his soul’s rest.
Additionally, Tinubu demanded that there be more women in the APC caucus.
The Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives both gave messages of goodwill.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, opened the meeting by stating that the party was seeing increasing national acceptance, citing recent electoral triumphs and high-profile defections. He insisted that the ruling party is still growing its national presence in spite of persistent criticism, dismissing opposition criticism as “shallow.”
He stated that the opposition has been uneasy about the APC’s growth trajectory, pointing out that the party has continued to concentrate on strengthening its structures and preparing for elections.
“Our objectives remain that we want to strengthen and galvanize the party structures at all levels, and we are enhancing our structural and strategic preparedness ahead of the next election cycle,” Yilwatda said.
“We are not deterred by the few shallow criticisms of the opposition. They have become increasingly uncomfortable with our deliberate and principled effort to build a truly pan-Nigerian political party rooted in progressive politics.”
The chairman stated that the goal of the party’s mobilization campaign was to ensure future election triumphs, and that the APC had been further strengthened by recent governor defections and their political apparatuses.
Yilwatda stated that the pattern demonstrates the APC’s pan-Nigerian nature and named governors who had defected from rival parties to join the party. He said that “effective party evangelism,” which has drawn opposition lawmakers, is what led to the party’s majority in the National Assembly. He stated, “We have a commanding majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.”
Additionally, Yilwatda stated that the computerized membership registration method would improve internal democracy, accuracy, and transparency, adding, “This will enhance efficiency and data-driven decision-making.” The deadline for members to register in advance of party congresses is January 30. The party’s computerized membership registration process will run through January.
He added that architectural plans were already in progress and that the APC, with Tinubu’s backing, had acquired land in Abuja’s Central Business District for a new national secretariat.
He also gave caucus members an update on recent by-election triumphs, current constitutional amendment initiatives, and the planning for the February 21, 2026, FCT regional council elections.
Inuwa Yahaya, the governor of Gombe State, proposed starting and finishing the party’s e-membership registration process, holding congresses at the ward, local government, state, and zonal levels, and electing national officers and other party leaders. Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State, seconded the motion, which was overwhelmingly approved.
In a separate incident, Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) Chairman Senator Hope Uzodinma praised President Tinubu for his “modest accomplishments” in spite of the world economy’s challenges and introduced a motion supporting the president for a second term. NEC members unanimously approved the resolution, which was seconded by Senator Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna State.
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