Buhari, Amaechi, El-Rufai boycott APC NEC meeting

The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is ongoing at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, amid notable absentees.

This marked the first NEC gathering since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

The meeting, held under tight security, saw the attendance of prominent party leaders, governors, and federal lawmakers.

However, notable figures such as former President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and some other bigwigs of the party were conspicuously absent.

Buhari was Nigeria’s first president under APC

Security around the venue on Blantyre Street was heightened, with armed personnel, including soldiers from the Guards Brigade, restricting movement.

Vehicular and pedestrian access was limited, and journalists, despite prior accreditation, were denied entry.

The meeting was presided over by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, with President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas in attendance.

Governors from Edo, Benue, Ondo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Yobe, Niger, Lagos, Kogi, Ogun, and Imo, as well as the deputy governor of Ebonyi, were also present.

Former governors of Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, and Plateau added to the gathering’s significance.

The absence of key figures like Buhari, El-Rufai, and Amaechi sparked speculation about internal party dynamics.

Buhari, the immediate past president, has maintained a low profile since leaving office, while El-Rufai and Amaechi have been embroiled in political controversies.

The duo of Amaechi and El-Rufai has been very critical of the current national leadership of the party and the Tinubu administration since inception.

Their absence raised questions about their current standing within the party and their relationship with the Tinubu-led administration.

The NEC meeting which is ongoing, is expected to address critical issues affecting the party, including preparations for upcoming elections, internal reforms, and strategies to strengthen the APC’s position as Nigeria’s dominant political force.

The gathering also provided an opportunity for party leaders to align on key policies and initiatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been a dominant force in Nigeria’s political landscape since its formation in 2013.

The party’s creation marked a significant shift in the country’s politics, leading to its victory in the 2015 presidential election and ending the 16-year rule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC’s success can be attributed to its strong leadership and hierarchical structure, with the National Executive Committee (NEC) serving as its highest decision-making body.

Despite its electoral successes, the APC has faced internal divisions and controversies, including factional disputes, allegations of corruption, and disagreements over party leadership.

The party currently controls 21 states in Nigeria.

In the North-Central Zone, the APC has a strong presence in Niger State, Kogi State, Nasarawa State, and Kwara State.

The party also dominates the North-East Zone, with states like Borno State, Yobe State, and Gombe State under its control.

Furthermore, the APC has a significant presence in the North-West Zone, with states such as Katsina State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State, Jigawa State, and Kaduna State.

In addition to its strongholds in the northern regions, the APC also has a presence in the southern regions.

In the South-South Zone, the APC controls Cross River State and Edo State.

In the South-West Zone, the party has a strong presence in Lagos State, Ogun State, Ekiti State, and Ondo State. The APC also controls Imo State and Ebonyi State in the South-East Zone.

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