Fresh moves are underway within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to rejig the party’s power structure and tighten control of governance machinery, findings by The Atlantic Bell have revealed.
Party sources said President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership have agreed, in principle, to a major restructuring of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), with all positions—except those of National Chairman and Vice Chairman—set to be rotated among the six geopolitical zones.
The plan, insiders said, is aimed at broadening representation, accommodating interests of recently defected governors and strengthening party unity ahead of the forthcoming congresses and national convention.
Beyond the party structure, checks also indicate that the Presidency is reviewing aspects of the current presidential ticket arrangement and information management framework at the Villa, despite recent public assurances by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
Although details of the proposed changes remain closely guarded, party officials said the exercise is part of a broader strategy to reposition the Tinubu administration and align APC’s political machinery with evolving realities.
In a related development, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), chaired by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has declared its readiness to work closely with the APC national leadership to enforce discipline and improve leadership communication.
In a communiqué issued after its extraordinary meeting, the governors reaffirmed their “commitment to deepening internal democracy, strengthening party structures and advancing reforms that promote transparency, accountability and inclusiveness.”
The forum also endorsed the timetable and operational framework for the forthcoming ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, as well as the party’s national convention, earlier approved by the National Executive Committee.
The governors stressed the need for transparent and coordinated financial management in the conduct of the congresses, warning that credibility and fairness must be guaranteed across all states, including those not controlled by the APC.
They further disclosed plans to embark on strategic state visits, beginning with Taraba State, to reinforce grassroots mobilisation and party cohesion.
However, investigations by The Atlantic Bell revealed that final decisions on the proposed zoning and swapping of NWC positions have been deferred pending President Tinubu’s return from his official visit to Türkiye.
A member of the APC National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the zoning reshuffle was left for the President’s final input.
According to the source, the party is weighing the possibility of moving the presidential running mate slot to the North-West, while the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation may shift to the North-East.
“These possible changes made it necessary for Mr President, who insisted that Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda should remain as National Chairman, to personally guide the redistribution of other positions alongside the governors,” the source said.
“It is after his return that we will know which positions will move between the North and South and their respective zones. The goal is to harmonise interests, especially with governors who have recently joined the party,” the source added.
