The event lasted a few hours; re-elected members of the National Working Committee, via affirmation, endorsed all the congresses from the wards to states and zonal levels and extended the tenure of caretaker committees in Ekiti and Osun States. With fanfare, the All Progressives Congress concluded its much-anticipated eighth national convention without drama, contest, or upsets.

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, their spouses, members of the Federal Executive Committee, thirty-two governors, and 8,453 delegates attended the event at Eagle Square in Abuja.

The newly affirmed National Working Committee are National chairman — Nentawe Yilwatda, Deputy national chairman (north) — Ali Bukar Dalori, Ben Nwoye was named deputy national chairman (south), replacing Emma Eneukwu, following consultations and zoning arrangement within the party, National secretary — Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, Deputy national secretary — AbdulKarim Abubakar Kana, National legal adviser — Murtala Aliyu Kankia, National treasurer — Uguru Mathew Ofoke, National financial secretary — Haruna Ginsau. National organising secretary — Muhammad Sulaiman Argungu, National welfare secretary — Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, National publicity secretary — Felix Morka, and  National auditor — Abubakar Maikafi,

Others are National women leader — Mary A. Idele, National leader (persons with disabilities) — Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Deputy national financial secretary — Hammam Adamu Ali Kumo, Deputy national organising secretary — Emeka Okafor, Deputy national women leader — Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim, Deputy national publicity secretary — Meseko Durosinmi Josiah, Deputy national welfare secretary — Christopher Michael Akpan, Deputy national auditor — Olugbenga Olayemi, Deputy national legal adviser — Ibrahim Salawu, Deputy national treasurer — Ben Akak, Deputy national youth leader — Jamaludeen Kabiru, National ex-officio (north-central) — Opawoye Oluwatoyin Bunmi, National ex-officio (north-east) — Adamu Jallah, National ex-officio (north-west) — Kano Muhammed Jamu Yusuf, National ex-officio (south-east) — Ikechukwu Umeh, National ex-officio (south-south) — Francis Kolokolo, National ex-officio (south-west) — Bunmi Orinowo,

In his acceptance speech, Prof Netanwe Yilwatda said his re-election was a call to greater service and pledged commitment to unity within the ruling party.

“We are ready to serve, ready to lead, and we are ready to build the party, together with the nation, with you,” the Plateau-born said in his acceptance speech.

Yilwatda said, “We will expand the reach so that the message of renewed hope is heard in every community. We will empower our youth because they are not just the future, but they are a huge and important part of our today,” he said.

He commended President Tinubu for his support for the party and his leadership of the country. He said the future of APC was the future of Nigeria, anchored under the renewed hope agenda of the administration.

“Already, we are seeing the signs; all economic reforms are stabilising our public finances and economy. “Marketing investment in infrastructure, even the roads, the rails and the energy; the new focus on social investment to protect the most vulnerable. Expansion of digital innovation.

“I truly and completely accept this moment with a full understanding of the way of history, the expectation of our people, and the urgency of this moment. I do not see this convention as a toy with a crown but as a duty with the burden of trust of millions of our members. I know that from this day, the way of the burden of leadership, to provide for the millions of our members, from every ward, every state, every corner of this Nation, will now rest on our shoulders,” he said.

The convention, which also looked like a referendum on the performance of Tinubu’s administration. Speaker after speaker eulogised the President and his renewed hope reform agenda.

On his part, President Tinubu assured the gathering that the country is on the right track. His speech reads in part:

“Today, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude, pride, and hope. Gratitude to God Almighty for His grace upon our nation and our party. We take pride in what we have built together as a party since 2013, and optimistic about a bright future for our nation, despite the challenges we face.

“This 4^th Elective National Convention of our great party is not merely a gathering. It is a defining chapter in the story of our democracy and our party. As a party, this Convention offers us the platform to renew our bond, strengthen our resolve, and recommit ourselves to the ideals that brought us together in the first place.

“We gather under an inspiring and powerful theme, “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda. Unity in Progress, as the main theme, is a potent and timely reminder that progress is impossible without unity”.

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The motion to validate the consensus arrangement was made by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, representing the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, during proceedings at the convention. Akpabio described the move as crucial to maintaining the stability and continuity of the party, stating that the party is particular about the growth of its grassroots structure and internal democratic framework.

“I therefore move that the congresses so conducted be and are hereby approved by the 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress,” Akpabio stated.

Seconded by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, who lauded the congresses as credible and properly conducted and generally acceptable across the country, the national convention was only going to formalise the ratification of the congress outcomes. He also added that the consensus approach for selecting NWC members marks a significant step toward unity within the party, ensuring that future leadership decisions reflect collective agreement and strengthen the APC ahead of upcoming political engagements.

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