Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, will today be a host to the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as both party hold their National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings today, July 24, 2025. These gatherings, critical to the strategic direction of both parties, come at a pivotal time as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The meetings are expected to address internal party dynamics, leadership transitions, and electoral strategies, with far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape.
APC’s NEC Meeting: Charting a New Course
The APC, Nigeria’s ruling party since 2015, is holding its NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following a closed-door strategy session by its governors on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. This meeting comes after a two-year hiatus, with the last NEC meeting held on February 26, 2025. A key agenda item is the nomination of a new national chairman, following the exit of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on health grounds. The APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Deputy National Secretary Barrister Festus Faunter, has already notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the meeting, signaling its intent to formalize leadership transitions and consolidate its position.
The APC’s NEC meeting is also expected to reaffirm its zoning arrangements, particularly favoring the North-west, and pass a vote of confidence in its current leadership structure. This comes at a time when the party is navigating internal challenges and preparing to maintain its dominance after securing the presidency in 2023 with President Bola Tinubu’s victory. Discussions will likely focus on strengthening party unity, addressing defections, and strategizing for upcoming off-cycle elections and the 2027 polls. The APC’s ability to present a united front will be crucial as it faces a resurgent opposition.
PDP’s NEC Meeting: A Push for Reconciliation and Revival
Simultaneously, the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, is holding its 101st NEC meeting at the party’s National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, which began on July 23 and continues through July 25, 2025. The three-day gathering, announced by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, aims to tackle internal crises, pursue reconciliation, and lay the groundwork for the 2027 elections. The meeting brings together key stakeholders, including the National Chairman, serving and former presidents and vice presidents, state governors, National Working Committee (NWC) members, and Board of Trustees (BoT) members.
The PDP has been grappling with internal divisions, particularly surrounding the leadership of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and disputes over the National Secretary position. The recent affirmation of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary during the 100th NEC meeting on July 1, 2025, sparked controversy, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s camp labeling it a “scam” and alleging collusion with the APC to weaken the opposition. The ongoing leadership crisis, compounded by a court order restraining the PDP from removing Damagum until December 2025, remains a sticking point. Today’s meeting is expected to address these tensions, with a focus on constitutional amendments, party unity, and strategies to challenge the APC’s dominance.
The PDP is also under pressure to counter the recent defection of prominent figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has emerged as a new opposition coalition. The NEC meeting will likely discuss how to reposition the PDP as a viable alternative to the APC, with preparations for the upcoming national convention and efforts to rebuild electoral strength high on the agenda.
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- Presidency approves APC NEC meeting and midterm National Convention for September
A Critical Moment for Nigeria’s Democracy
The simultaneous NEC meetings of the APC and PDP underscore the intense political maneuvering in Nigeria as both parties prepare for future electoral battles. For the APC, the focus is on consolidating power and ensuring a smooth leadership transition, while the PDP aims to resolve internal conflicts and regain its footing as a formidable opposition. The outcomes of these meetings will shape not only the parties’ internal dynamics but also the broader political landscape ahead of 2027.
Political analysts suggest that the PDP faces a steeper challenge, given its recent loss of key figures and ongoing factionalism. However, the APC cannot afford complacency, as internal dissent and external pressures from emerging coalitions like the ADC could test its dominance. The decisions made in Abuja today will reverberate across Nigeria, influencing voter perceptions and setting the stage for the next chapter in the country’s democratic journey.
As both parties convene, all eyes are on Abuja, where the future of Nigeria’s political heavyweights is being decided.