APC Convention: 32 Governors, 8,450 Delegates Storm Abuja for Party Elections

By: Abudu Olalekan

Abuja is buzzing right now. And I mean really buzzing.

Folks from across Nigeria are gathering in the capital as the All Progressives Congress National Convention begins today, wrapping up Saturday. Leading the crowd is President Bola Tinubu, joined by every one of his cabinet picks. In town too – each of the 32 state governors, pulling in alongside more than 8,453 party delegates. Meetings start now, stretching through the week’s end.

This event stood apart from ordinary gatherings. Out of the crowd, fresh faces stepped forward to lead. Choices with weight shaped the hours. Whoever held influence in the APC showed up, drawn by what was at stake.

The Official Word
Fresh off the podium, Mohammed Idris spelled things out – minister by title, co-leader of the media team behind the gathering. He stood before reporters Thursday inside Transcorp Hilton. Not just anyone turned up that day. Names like Hannatu Musawa appeared, then Festus Keyimo followed. Pius Ayim stepped in next. Sunday Dare made his way through. Bayo Onanuga completed the circle. Big voices, all in one room.

What lies behind the slogan? “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda.” It rings smooth, certainly. Yet according to Idris, it reflects both the journey taken and the path ahead for the party.

“We are expecting a total of 8,453 delegates from across the 36 states,” he explained. “The convention marks another milestone in our journey, reflecting both the continuity of our values and the renewal of our leadership.”

Still going on about how it’s all set. Work done by the groups. Everything running now. That plaza, eagle-shaped, just sits there, filled up and idle.

“All arrangements have been concluded for a smooth, transparent, and credible convention,” Idris assured everyone.

But What About The Drama?
Sure, chaos tags along every time, right?

Aminu Masari once led Katsina State, now he runs the Central Coordinating Committee. Head-on, he stepped into the zoning debate. Not everyone agrees on how things are being handled – some feel left out when it comes to running for roles. Unfair treatment, they say, shaped who got locked out of key spots.

Masari refused to accept that.

“APC is a responsible party in Nigeria. In line with federal character, all offices are zoned,” he said firmly. “If you come to buy a form, only buy the form zoned to your zone.”

Then he got blunt. “When there is zoning in A, and you are in Z, and you want to buy a form in A, we suspect that you are only there to create confusion.”

He confirmed the party hasn’t been served with any court papers. “We are not aware that anybody has gone to court. Can you pay for something that you don’t have?”

The Hurt People Talk
Some folks aren’t thrilled about it. Still, reactions differ widely across the board.

Fubara Dagogo, a senior member of the party, has taken legal action at the Federal High Court. Exclusion marked his experience at the South-South Zonal Congress held in Asaba come March 25th. Payment of five point one million naira for a nomination form did not shield him from that outcome. Meeting every condition still left him on the outside looking in.

Here’s what happened. On Thursday evening, he said to Reportersroom he has no plan to ask for a court order blocking the event.

“At the moment, I’m still exploring internal party mechanisms to resolve the issue,” Dagogo said. “I believe the party’s internal mechanism is key to conflict resolution.”

Paul Oyiborume, another member, echoed those worries – though he hasn’t filed any legal action so far.

Appeals Committee Prepared for All Scenarios
Surprises might still pop up, even though Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas feels sure the event will run well. Leading the convention’s Appeals Committee, he stays cautious despite his optimism.

“I don’t think we are envisaging any problem, but we always have to be prepared,” Kefas said after Thursday’s meeting. “With what we have done so far, I think we will have a very hitch-free exercise.”

Abuja Nearly Stops
This is when things start to matter more to everyday people.

Fans of remote work got a surprise when federal offices sent staff home for the day. Roads leading into Phase I, then spreading to II and finally III, shut down tight until weekend’s end.

A notice, stamped by Abdul S. U. Garba of the Service Welfare Office, laid it bare. Workers within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fall under that order – no exception.

“All personnel whose offices are located within Phases I, II and III of the Federal Secretariat Complex are to work from home on Friday, 27th March, 2026,” the circular stated.

Hotels? Forget About It
Try your chances spotting an open room in Abuja these days.

Turns out most big hotels had no rooms left. Transcorp Hilton was taken. So was NICON Luxury. Not a single bed at Hotel Continental either. Reiz Hotel said they were completely filled.

Fifty thousand naira a night, even those cheap rooms fill fast. When the main hotels ran out, people started hunting for lodges way beyond downtown.

Fresh paint dries under morning light at Eagle Square, where crews adjust last details. Along approach routes, signs greet attendees – standing tall before gusts shake loose a corner.

Folks can’t stop thinking about the 2027 vote. This weekend might just shape what comes after – depending on how things unfold.