BODE OLAGOKE, in this piece, writes on the just concluded National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reflecting on how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was celebrated.
Celebrating President Tinubu
The ruling party’s 8th National Convention 2026, might has come and gone but the historic event will, for a long time, be referenced as one of the biggest gathering designed to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rather than the elective convention.
From the beginning till the end, the central message was the same – celebrating a man his party men and women believed has made them proud.
The glamour
The venue was Eagles Square, not hidden. Though it is a five-thousand sitting capacity venue but more than 8000 delegates alone were present at a beautifully redesigned venue, rebranded with beautiful artistry in the Federal Capital Territory.
From the entry point to the main pavilion, the venue was packaged and well carpeted with different colours to match, not for mere men but for princes and princess. As the saying goes “delicious soup, is a function of money.”
The security was top-notch with all the security agencies in adequate presence.
The Minister’s intro
Setting the tone for the National Convention a day before the day, was the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris.
At a World Press Conference by his Media Committee, he told the world about the national event, described the event as a significant milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tinubu.
According to the Information Minister, the convention was not just a routine exercise, but a moment of reflection, consolidation, and planning. “It represents our collective resolve to strengthen democratic values, deepen internal governance, and align party processes with national development priorities,” he said.
He said the convention, themed “Unity in Progress – Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” reflected the party’s core values of cohesion, continuity, and clarity of purpose, while reinforcing its alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader governance vision.
The Niger state-born image maker also said APC has, since its founding, remained a platform for progressive ideals, national cohesion, and purposeful leadership, and its resilience across multiple electoral cycles underscored its strength as a leading political force in Nigeria.
He emphasised the party has consistently demonstrated its ability to manage leadership transitions in an orderly and structured manner, with strengthened internal systems that promoted accountability, inclusiveness, and stakeholder participation.
“The APC continues to evolve as a broad-based political platform that accommodates diverse perspectives while maintaining unity of purpose. This diversity remains a key strength in advancing national development and democratic consolidation,” he stated.
Beautiful scenery
On the event day, the 27th of March, 2026, the mood at the Eagle Square – the venue of the convention was that of celebration, which was contrary to an election related mood.
Members were beautifully dressed in an Ankara uniform made for the event. There were music everywhere – both within and miles away from the venue, all with messages of Renewed Hope Agenda and its success stories delivered in various manners – through placards, dancing, jumping, and even the People With Disabilities (PWDs) were not left out.
The Consensus
In a consensus arrangement, through a voice vote, the new leaders- members of the National Working Committee of the party emerged.
They are: the incumbent National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and the incumbent National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
Others are Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Abubakar Dalori (Borno); Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye (Enugu); Deputy National Secretary, Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa); National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mu’azu Bawa Rijau (Niger); Deputy Vice Chairman (North East), Dr. Mustapha Salihu (Adamawa); National Vice Chairman (North West), Hon. Mohammed Datti (Kaduna); National Vice Chairman (South East), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Imo); National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Hon. Victor Ton Giadom (Rivers); and National Vice Chairman (South West), D. I. Kekemeke (Ondo).
Others are National Legal Adviser, Barr. Muritala Aliyu Kankia (Katsina); National Treasurer, Uguru Matthew Ofoke (Ebonyi); National Financial Secretary, Amb. (Jigawa); National Organizing Secretary, Suleiman M. Argungun (Kebbi); National Welfare Secretary, Hon. Ignatus Nwapa (Abia); National Publicity Secretary, Bart Felix Morka (Delta); National Auditor, Sen. Abubakar Maikafi (Bauchi); National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile-Idele (Edo); National Youth Leader, Abdullahi Dayo Israel (Lagos); Special (Persons With Disability) Leader, Tolu Bankole (Ogun); Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hon. Emeka Okafor (Anambra); Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Duro Meseko (Kogi); Deputy National Women Leader, Hon. Zainab Ibrahim (Taraba); and Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hon. Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo (Gombe), and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Duro Meseko.
Six national ex-officio members and zonal officers elected at last Wednesday’s congresses were also inaugurated during the convention.
How personalities spoke
From the beginning of the event to the end, all the speakers were full of praises for the President – his political journey, how he had built men and women, his success stories and how he has been able to drive the nation in his almost three years in power.
From students to labour, youth representatives, women, the PWDs, and more, all he speakers were full of praises for Prevent Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the occasion.
During his turn to speak, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, blessed with oratory skill, was at his best Friday night, when he spoke of how visionary Asiwaju had been in Nigeria.
Akpabio said President Tinubu had both sight and vision, and that he was transforming Nigeria.
“APC is showing the way. APC is showing the way. I want to say that, as a result of the good governance brought by Mr. President, there are now only two political parties in Nigeria: APC and others. APC and others.
“You have brought about agricultural revolution. Your policies are real. Now people can travel from Lagos all the way to Ibadan. Now people can travel to Ajaokuta. As I speak now, I have taken a ride through the coastal roads that we contemplated 50 years ago in the Niger Delta region.”
Akpabio said the growing wave of defections into the APC reflected confidence in the Tinubu administration’s performance and expressed optimism that the party would expand its control to more states by 2027.
The lawmaker equally assured Nigerians that the country’s security challenges would soon be addressed.
For Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the current reform path must be sustained beyond 2027, emphasising that governance should not be driven by sentiment but by continuity and national interest.
He added that the legislature was fully aligned with the Tinubu administration’s direction.
For the Kwara state governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noted that the APC’s strength lay not only in winning elections but in its ability to manage Nigeria’s diversity.
He also acknowledged that President Tinubu had taken difficult but necessary decisions for the long-term benefit of Nigerians, adding that the APC remained the party to beat in 2027.
He, however, called for a minute’s silence in honour of fallen heroes and victims of insecurity across the country.
Imo state governor and PGF Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, said the APC remained strong, united, and committed to delivering on its mandate.
He highlighted key achievements of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the party was cohesive and well-prepared for the next general elections.
Uzodinma who spoke on behalf of the APC governors said, “The APC is the party to beat in 2027.”
In his remarks, Kwara state governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noted that the APC’s strength lay not only in winning elections but in its ability to manage Nigeria’s diversity.
He also acknowledged that President Tinubu had taken difficult but necessary decisions for the long-term benefit of Nigerians, adding that the APC remained the party to beat in 2027.
He, however, called for a minute’s silence in honour of fallen heroes and victims of insecurity across the country.
Dignitaries in attendance included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, ministers, and other top government functionaries.
Governors present at the event included those from Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Rivers, Sokoto, Imo, Enugu, Ogun, Lagos, Delta, Cross River, Edo, Ebonyi, and Ondo states, among others.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of the APC Convention Coordination Committee and former governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, former APC national chairmen, state party chairmen, federal and state lawmakers, former governors, and other key stakeholders.
