'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled its National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for Tuesday, February 25, and Wednesday, February 26, 2025, respectively. The meetings are expected to address key party matters and strategic decisions ahead of upcoming political engagements.
The announcement was contained in a notice signed by the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, on Friday night in Abuja. According to the notice, the National Caucus meeting will take place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 6:00 PM on Tuesday. The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Wednesday at the party’s National Secretariat located at 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Both meetings have been convened in accordance with Articles 12.5 and 12.3 of the APC constitution, which outline the composition and functions of these organs within the party structure. The National Caucus, as one of the governing bodies of the party under Article 11 B(i), includes key party leaders such as the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairmen (North and South), National Secretary, National Legal Adviser, National Treasurer, National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader, and National Leader of Persons with Disabilities.
The Caucus also comprises past and present Presidents and Vice Presidents of Nigeria who are APC members, current and former Presidents and Deputy Presidents of the Senate, as well as present and past Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives. Additionally, past and present state governors who are members of the party, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (if an APC member), and the Zonal Chairmen are part of the body. Other members include two representatives from each zone, one of whom must be a woman, alongside co-opted or appointed individuals approved by the NEC.
Similarly, the NEC, recognized as one of the principal organs of the APC under Article 11 A(iii), comprises an extensive list of party stakeholders. These include the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairmen, National Secretary, National Legal Adviser, National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and their deputies. Also included are the National Publicity Secretary, National Welfare Secretary, National Auditor, National Woman Leader, National Youth Leader, and the National Leader of Persons with Disabilities.
The NEC further consists of Zonal Chairmen, Zonal Secretaries, Zonal Youth Leaders, Zonal Organising Secretaries, Zonal Women Leaders, and State Chairmen of the party. Other critical members include the President and Vice President of Nigeria (if APC members), the President and Deputy President of the Senate, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and governors of APC-controlled states. Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, two serving Senators from each geopolitical zone, and six ex-officio members elected by the National Convention are also part of the committee.
The scheduled meetings come at a crucial time for the APC as it seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the 2025 political calendar. Observers anticipate that discussions will center on party governance, upcoming elections, and internal strategies to ensure unity and cohesion within the ruling party.
Party stakeholders and political analysts are keenly watching the outcome of these meetings, given their potential impact on APC’s decision-making process and national political landscape. Members of the National Caucus and NEC have been urged to attend the meetings punctually as crucial resolutions are expected to be made.
With these gatherings set to shape the direction of the party in the coming months, all eyes remain on the APC leadership and its commitment to fostering internal democracy and party discipline.
