The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to hold its 8th National Convention from Friday, March 27, to Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Abuja, with the Eagle Square serving as the primary venue. This significant event is expected to draw no fewer than 8,453 delegates from across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory, marking a crucial milestone for the ruling party's trajectory.

The convention is envisioned as more than a routine exercise; it is a moment for deep introspection, consolidation, and strategic planning. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, highlighted that it would showcase the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms and offer an opportunity to reflect on APC’s achievements. Similarly, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the convention's role in strengthening democratic values, deepening internal governance, and aligning party processes with national development priorities under Tinubu’s 'Renewed Hope Agenda'. Delegates, including those from Kwara State, have been urged by Senator Saliu Mustapha to uphold values of unity, discipline, and collective responsibility, reaffirming the party's commitment to national progress.

A notable feature of this convention is the party's strategic decision to adopt a consensus model for leadership elections, particularly for its National Working Committee (NWC) positions. This approach, aimed at fostering party unity and ensuring legal compliance, is anticipated to render the convention largely devoid of the usual drama, scheming, and intense politicking. The ruling party resolved to return the current NWC members through a voice vote, effectively asking them to “bow and go” to prevent any potential internal crisis ahead of future elections.

The Aspirants’ Screening Sub-committee, chaired by Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, assured all contestants of fairness and justice, guided by the party's guidelines, constitution, and the Electoral Act. Following the screening, key NWC members, including the National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and others such as Abubakar Dalori (Deputy National Chairman, North), Emma Eneukwu (Deputy National Chairman, South), and Prof. Abdulkarim Kana (Deputy National Secretary), were cleared to continue in their roles. This consensus, according to Deputy National Organizing Secretary Hon. Nze Duru, underpins APC's basic tenets of bringing people together and working to prevent ruptures.

The convention will also serve as a platform to highlight the tangible achievements and reforms initiated by President Tinubu. Honourable Dogara specifically lauded interventions such as NELFUND, crucial infrastructure projects like the coastal road and the Sokoto to Badagry highway, and support for youth- and women-led businesses, describing them as transformative. These accomplishments, he noted, represent compelling stories that the party intends to share as it prepares for the 2027 general election.

Amidst the convention's preparations, various political speculations and internal matters have been addressed. While Minister Mohammed Idris stated that a high point of the exercise would be the affirmation of President Bola Tinubu as APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Honourable Dogara dismissed claims of a plot to shrink the political space to accommodate only one person. Dogara affirmed the APC's commitment to competition and accountability, denying any interference with the opposition. Furthermore, he clarified that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is not an APC member, as his name is not registered in the party's database, and he dismissed bribery allegations against the Foreign Minister as speculative and baseless. Issues concerning alleged exclusion of aspirants were characterized by Dogara as "family issues" to be resolved internally.

In preparation for the large-scale event, the Federal Government issued a directive for civil servants whose offices are located within Phases I, II, and III of the Federal Secretariat Complex, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, to work from home on Friday, March 27, 2026. This measure, communicated by Abdul Garba, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, was implemented due to the closure of access roads leading to and around the Federal Secretariat Complex from March 27 to 28, 2026, facilitating the smooth conduct of the APC national convention at Eagle Square.

The APC continues to evolve as a resilient and leading political force in Nigeria, showcasing its ability to manage leadership transitions in an orderly manner. Party leaders, including National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, have emphasized the party’s growth, its youth-driven membership, and the deepening of technology for a more data-driven positioning. With approximately 12 million registered members, the party aims to consolidate its strength, ensure a functional and effective secretariat, and activate all party structures from the polling units up to the National Advisory Council, fostering democratic consolidation and purposeful leadership.

Honourable Dogara, for his part, also stated that he harbors no personal political ambitions beyond active participation, expressing that he would only go where he is led by faith.