Tinubu, Shettima, Ganduje at APC National Caucus Meeting in Aso Rock

The political scene in Abuja is buzzing! President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over the National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Aso Rock. This marks his first major caucus gathering since taking office on May 29, 2023. And guess what? The big shots of the party are all in the house!

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas are seated front and center. Also in attendance is APC’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who came with an entourage of nine other National Working Committee (NWC) members. That includes the deputy national chairmen (North and South), national secretary, legal adviser, treasurer, organizing secretary, and key figures like the women and youth leaders.

Governors are rolling in strong, too! Leading the pack is Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, chair of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. Notable APC governors in the mix include Lagos’ Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun’s Dapo Abiodun, Borno’s Babagana Zulum, Kaduna’s Uba Sani, Sokoto’s Ahmad Aliyu, and Benue’s Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, among others.

From the South-South region, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Silva is holding it down. Northern heavyweights like Senator Abdulaziz Yari, former Nasarawa Governor Tanko Al Makura, Senator Aliyu Wammako, and Niger State Governor Umar Bago are also present. Heavy-hitters from the South-West? We’ve got APC pioneer chairman Bisi Akande, Iyiola Omisore, Olusegun Osoba, and Senator Lola Ashiru.

And let’s not forget the surprise guests: ex-Speaker Yakubu Dogara, former Cross River Governor Ben Ayade, and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who are also in the house!

This isn’t just a meet-and-greet; major party business is on the table. The meeting is setting the stage for the APC National Executive Council (NEC) gathering, which will take place at the party secretariat in Wuse 2, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Key topics include scheduling a non-elective convention (as required by the party’s constitution), forming standing committees, launching The Progressive Institute (TPI), and implementing an e-registration exercise for membership.

Another hot topic? A legal report on APC’s ongoing court battles across the country. The party’s national legal adviser is expected to give a deep dive into cases that could shape APC’s future.

With all these power players in one room, decisions made here will shape the direction of the APC in the coming months. The NEC meeting will likely finalize major resolutions from today’s discussions. One thing’s for sure: political moves are being made, and the stakes are high!