The All Progressives Congress said it will select its national leaders through a consensus method during its convention scheduled for March 27 to 28, 2026, in Abuja, as confirmed on Wednesday by a party official who spoke on a television programme.
The decision was disclosed by Mary Ikoku, a member of the media team for the convention, who explained that the party had agreed on consensus as the approach for choosing its National Working Committee members at the gathering.
She noted that while this method will be used for party leadership positions at the convention, the same may not automatically apply to candidates for elective offices, as those decisions often depend on political situations in different areas.
She added that the country’s electoral law already provides guidelines on how political parties can choose candidates, allowing for methods such as direct primaries and consensus. According to her, these legal provisions can be challenging for some parties, especially those that are not fully prepared ahead of time.
The party has already started screening individuals seeking key positions within its leadership structure. Among those mentioned are Nentawe Yilwatda, who is contesting for National Chairman, and Ajibola Basiru, who is in the race for National Secretary. Other current members of the National Working Committee are also seeking to retain their roles.
Ikoku explained that proper planning is important for any political party preparing for internal elections or leadership selection. She said parties that fail to organise themselves early may face difficulties when the time comes to carry out such processes.
The upcoming convention is expected to bring together party members and leaders from across the country to decide on those who will steer the affairs of the ruling party ahead of future elections.