JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Eagle Square for APC national convention

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at Eagle Square for the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where the party is set to elect a new National Chairman and other key officials.

Tinubu arrived at about 8:10 pm, roughly three hours later than the scheduled time in the official programme. Earlier arrivals included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

Opening prayers were offered by APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel and former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, representing Christian and Muslim faiths respectively.

The convention, themed “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” is the APC’s fourth elective national convention since its formation in 2013 through the merger of major opposition parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party, and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

The party’s first convention took place in Lagos in 2014, where John Odigie-Oyegun emerged as the inaugural National Chairman, serving until 2018. He was succeeded by former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who led the party until 2020 before the National Executive Committee was dissolved and replaced by a caretaker committee headed by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.

At the party’s third elective convention in March 2022, Abdullahi Adamu was elected chairman but resigned in July 2023 following reported disagreements with the Presidency. He was replaced by former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who served from August 2023 until his resignation on June 27, 2025.

Although Ganduje cited health and personal reasons, his departure followed internal party tensions and zoning disputes. The Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, subsequently assumed office in an acting capacity.

Friday’s convention is expected to fill several national positions, including the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairmen (North and South), National Secretary, and other National Working Committee roles.