In a significant move aimed at recalibrating internal party dynamics, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention Coordination Committee. The reshuffle, coming ahead of the party’s pivotal 2026 National Convention, sees the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma, replaced as Chairman by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Bello Masari.
Governor Uzodinma, who concurrently serves as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), was originally appointed to lead the powerful committee responsible for logistics, political negotiations, and consensus-building. Under the new presidential directive, Governor Uzodinma has been reassigned to the role of Treasurer of the Convention Planning Committee, a position that maintains his involvement in the party’s core machinery but significantly reduces his visibility in the convention’s leadership hierarchy.
The appointment of Honourable Bello Masari is widely interpreted by party insiders as a masterstroke in neutrality. A seasoned stalwart with deep institutional memory, Mr Masari is perceived as a figure capable of providing the “broader experience and balance” required to manage the sensitive interests currently crystallising within the ruling party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the presidency suggest the decision was informed by a necessity to promote unity and dispel any perceptions of dominance by particular blocs, specifically the governors’ forum. By selecting Mr Masari, who is not a serving governor, President Tinubu appears to be signalling a commitment to a convention process that is fair, transparent, and broadly representative of the party’s diverse membership.
In tandem with the leadership change, the President has approved an expansion of the Convention Planning Committee, increasing its membership from 73 to 90. This adjustment is designed to accommodate a wider array of stakeholders across regional and ideological lines.
The expanded list features several prominent figures, most notably Senator Barry Mpigi and Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe. The inclusion of Senator Mpigi has sparked considerable interest in political circles; he is a known close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Though Mr Wike remains a complex figure within some APC quarters due to his previous affiliation with the opposition, his alliance with the Tinubu administration continues to serve as a critical bridge between competing power centres. Analysts view Mr Mpigi’s inclusion as a calculated effort to consolidate support in the South-South region.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the current Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), is expected to provide the committee with substantial legislative and policy-oriented depth, further professionalising the convention’s preparatory phase.
Reactions within the APC have been measured. While some view Governor Uzodinma’s reassignment as a demotion, others argue that his role as Treasurer places him at the heart of the convention’s financial and strategic planning. Supporters of the President’s decision maintain that it is a proactive measure to prevent internal grievances from festering.
As the 2026 National Convention approaches, it stands as more than a routine gathering. It is the event that will define the party’s leadership structure, zoning arrangements, and overall cohesion. President Tinubu’s hands-on approach in reshaping this committee underscores the premium his administration places on party stability amidst the broader economic and security challenges facing the nation.
With the expanded committee now in place, the political spotlight remains firmly on whether this new team can deliver a transparent process that satisfies the APC’s complex internal interests while securing its path toward 2027.
