APC Restructures 2026 National Convention Committee, Appoints Masari as Chairman

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has carried out a major reorganisation of its preparations for the 2026 National Convention, announcing a leadership change within the party’s Convention Central Coordination Committee. In a significant adjustment, the ruling party replaced Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, as Chairman of the committee overseeing the planning and execution of the convention.

Governor Uzodimma, who was initially appointed to lead the strategic body, has now been reassigned to serve as Treasurer of the convention planning committee. Party insiders describe the move not as a demotion, but as part of a broader internal realignment intended to strengthen coordination and ensure that the extensive logistical and political demands of the 2026 convention are effectively managed.

In addition to the change in leadership, the APC expanded the membership of the Convention Central Coordination Committee from 73 to 90 members. This expansion, according to party sources, is aimed at enhancing inclusiveness, ensuring wider representation of interests across the country, and leveraging the experience of a broader pool of party leaders ahead of what is expected to be a pivotal convention for the party.

Among the newly appointed members is Senator Barry Mpigi, alongside several other prominent APC chieftains drawn from different geopolitical zones. The party believes that the enlarged committee will provide a stronger organisational backbone, foster internal cohesion, and improve the overall efficiency of convention planning at a time when internal party unity and credibility remain critical issues.

Sources within the APC explained that the restructuring reflects ongoing internal consultations and strategic considerations designed to prevent avoidable friction and ensure seamless execution of party activities. The 2026 National Convention is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the party’s leadership structure, policy direction, and internal balance of power as preparations intensify for future electoral contests.

In a related development, the APC also announced adjustments to its 2026 timetable covering nationwide congresses, the national convention, and other associated party activities. The revised schedule, party officials say, is part of a deliberate effort to streamline internal processes, eliminate ambiguities, and allow members adequate time to participate in the party’s democratic procedures.

According to the party, Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for various party positions will be made available for purchase and collection at the Directorate of Organisation, located on the second floor of the APC National Secretariat at No. 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja. This clarification is intended to guide aspirants and party members, reduce confusion, and ensure transparency in the conduct of party affairs.

The APC leadership noted that the administrative adjustments are geared toward improving internal efficiency and strengthening institutional processes within the party. By refining its timetable and clarifying procedural details early, the party aims to avoid the logistical bottlenecks and disputes that have sometimes characterised internal party activities in the past.

Political observers view the replacement of Uzodimma with Masari as chairman of the convention committee as a strategic decision that reflects the APC’s effort to balance interests and manage competing ambitions within its ranks. Aminu Bello Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term governor, is widely regarded as a seasoned party man with extensive experience in political organisation and consensus-building. His appointment is seen by some analysts as an attempt to bring a calmer, more administrative approach to the complex task of convention planning.

At the same time, the reassignment of Governor Uzodimma to the role of Treasurer suggests that the party still considers him a key stakeholder in the convention process, entrusting him with financial oversight and accountability—an area that is critical to the credibility of any major party event.

As the APC moves closer to its 2026 activities, the latest changes underscore the party’s intention to project readiness, inclusiveness, and organisational discipline. While internal debates and differing interpretations of the reshuffle continue among party members and supporters, the official position remains that the adjustments are purely administrative and aimed at ensuring a successful national convention.

With congresses and the convention expected to shape the party’s future leadership and strategic direction, the coming months will test the APC’s ability to manage internal dynamics, accommodate diverse interests, and present a united front ahead of the next phase of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.