Concerns are mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding possible extensions to the tenure of its executive committees nationwide. According to findings, many stakeholders are watching to see President Bola Tinubu’s stance as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The APC last held its ward, local government, and state congresses in 2021. The national convention, which elected Senator Abdullahi Adamu as national chairman and Senator Iyiola Omisore as national secretary, took place in March 2022. Although the National Working Committee (NWC) recently announced plans for fresh congresses, indications suggest the current executives’ terms might be extended beyond 2027.

A top party source revealed that this extension is being considered to prevent disputes and litigation that could destabilize the party ahead of its primaries. However, this proposal has unsettled some APC governors, especially those who inherited party structures from predecessors. They reportedly fear such a move could strengthen executives loyal to rival factions, weakening their control over delegate selection processes before the 2027 elections.

For now, the party leadership is awaiting President Tinubu’s decision before making a formal announcement. The source noted, “You know all pressures have always been on us at the NWC level, and it does appear that most of the pressure to take total control of the structures across the board has always been coming from the state governors.”

He added, “It is more so because we know who we have as president; he is a politically active and strategic man who believes that planning ahead means a lot in politics. However, he has been silent about whether or not there would be congresses. So far, it seems the president’s body language tilts towards retaining the existing structures; it seems doubtful that there will be elective congresses and a national convention across the board except for a few exceptions.”

The source further stated that the plan may include moving a motion during the convention to retain all executives from the national to the ward level until after the 2027 elections. This decision is primarily informed by lessons from the 2019 general elections, when internal crises from congresses led to APC losing Zamfara State and being excluded from the ballot in Rivers State.

“The President is aware that some aggrieved former APC leaders, now in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), still have loyalists within the fold who could instigate crises if congresses are held,” the source disclosed.