APC adopts consensus for 2026 convention leadership picks

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that it will adopt a consensus method to select its national leadership during the party’s national convention slated for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.

Mary Ikoku, Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, confirmed the development on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Ikoku noted that while consensus would guide leadership selection at the convention, the party had yet to decide how elective positions in the primaries would be handled, adding that such decisions often depend on local political realities.

“For this convention, I can say the party is adopting consensus,” she said.

“But whether consensus will apply to elective positions, I cannot say. Politics is local, and what works in one area may not work in another.”

She also spoke on the Electoral Act’s provisions, which mandate online membership registration and outline approved methods for internal party elections.

She said the law presents challenges for some parties but ultimately reflects their level of preparedness.

“We have an electoral law that permits direct primaries and consensus, while indirect primaries have been removed,” she explained.

“Any serious political party should not wait until election season to start putting structures in place.”

Ahead of the convention, screening has begun for aspirants vying for key positions in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Those screened include National Chairman hopeful Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary aspirant Ajibola Basiru.

Current NWC members seeking to retain their positions include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.