Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress met in Lagos on Sunday to deliberate on the zoning of party offices ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja next weekend.
The meeting, which took place at the Eko Hotel, was chaired by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma. The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the party, including members of the National Working Committee and governors from across the country.
Among those who attended the meeting were the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Netanwe Yilwatda, National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and the Presidential Political Adviser, Ibrahim Masari. The gathering was seen as a crucial step toward finalising arrangements for the party’s national convention, where new party officials are expected to emerge.
Governors present at the meeting included Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Agbo Kefas of Taraba State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Other governors at the meeting included Usman Ododo, Francis Nwifuru, Caleb Mutfwang, Abba Yusuf, Umaru Bago, Peter Mbah, Monday Okpebholo, Douye Diri, Dikko Radda, Dapo Abiodun, Biodun Oyebanji, and Hyacinth Alia.
Sources at the meeting said the governors discussed the zoning arrangement for key party offices as part of preparations for the national convention. Zoning is a political arrangement in Nigeria where party positions and elective offices are shared among different regions of the country to ensure fairness, balance, and inclusiveness.
Party insiders said the meeting was aimed at reaching a consensus among party leaders to avoid disputes during the convention. The national convention is expected to bring together delegates from across the country to elect or affirm national officers of the party and set the direction for the party ahead of future elections.
Observers say the role of APC governors is very important in determining party structure and leadership because of their political influence and control of party structures in their respective states. As a result, meetings such as the Lagos gathering often play a major role in shaping the outcome of party conventions.
Political analysts believe that the zoning arrangement to be agreed upon will determine which regions of the country will produce key party officials such as the national chairman, national secretary, and other members of the National Working Committee.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be presented at the national convention in Abuja, where final decisions on party leadership and structure will be taken. The convention is also expected to serve as a platform for the party to strategise ahead of future elections and strengthen internal unity.
As the ruling party prepares for its national convention, the Lagos meeting is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring a smooth convention and maintaining unity within the party ranks. Party leaders are expected to continue consultations in the coming days to finalise all arrangements before the convention begins in Abuja.
APC governors meet in Lagos to finalise zoning ahead of national convention
