A new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be announced this Thursday as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meets in Abuja to deliberate on key issues, including leadership succession, e-registration, and the party’s constitution review.

This comes weeks after the resignation of former Chairman and ex-Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down in June citing health reasons. However, political insiders suggest his exit was prompted by internal realignments and strategic power plays ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Following Ganduje’s departure, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, assumed office in an acting capacity. While he continues to steer the party’s affairs, deliberations at Thursday’s NEC meeting may determine whether he remains in office or if a substantive chairman is named.

Multiple party sources disclosed that Thursday’s NEC meeting will consider reports from the Constitution Review Committee, updates on congresses and by-elections, the launch of an electronic membership registration platform, and most notably, the process for selecting a new national chairman.

Top contenders for the chairmanship position include former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. Both politicians hail from the North Central region, which has intensified its push to reclaim the chairmanship.

Despite growing calls for a new leader, some party stakeholders are said to favour Dalori’s continued stay as acting chairman until an Elective Convention is held. According to a senior party official, “There are strong voices on both sides some pushing for immediate replacement, while others want stability and prefer to defer the appointment to the Convention.”

Under the party’s amended 2022 constitution, the NEC holds the authority to either appoint a substantive national chairman or set up a caretaker committee in special circumstances. Article 13.3 empowers the NEC to function as the party’s highest executive body between national conventions, including convening such conventions and making leadership decisions.

Announcing the NEC meeting earlier this month, APC Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, confirmed that the gathering would take place on July 24 at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Fuanter said, “If a new chairman is nominated during the meeting, that nomination will be received, and the party will wait for the Convention to ratify the final decision.”

Party sources confirmed that President Bola Tinubu who is also the APC national leader has been briefed and is expected to attend Thursday’s NEC meeting. High-level consultations were reportedly held at the Presidential Villa on Monday, though details remain undisclosed.

“Everything now rests on the President’s directive. Once he gives the nod, the NEC will act,” a source told the media. “The President’s input is critical. That’s how Ganduje also emerged during a previous NEC meeting.”

Meanwhile, intense lobbying continues among party heavyweights, with support split between Dalori, Al-Makura, and Yilwatda. Insiders suggest that party unity and regional balance will play major roles in the final decision.

Confirming the agenda, APC Deputy Organising Secretary, Eze Duru, noted that discussions on e-registration and leadership matters will take center stage at the meeting.

He said, “The NEC is a statutory gathering. Reports will be presented, especially on our e-registration drive, which aims to enable Nigerians to join the APC online. This enhances transparency and accessibility across the country.”

Duru expressed optimism that the party would emerge stronger from the meeting, saying, “It will send a message to Nigerians that the APC is embracing digital innovation and reinforcing internal accountability.”

Since its formation in 2013, the APC has had six national chairmen; Bisi Akande, John Odigie-Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, Mai Mala Buni (caretaker), Abdullahi Adamu, and Abdullahi Ganduje.

As the NEC meeting draws closer, all eyes are now on the party’s leadership and President Tinubu for direction on what could be a defining moment for the APC ahead of future political contests.