Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
With the commencement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention slated for March 27–28, its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has been cleared from the screening process, prompting him to restate a stronger determination to consolidate the ongoing party’s internal reforms and strengthen the party’s nationwide structures.
Basiru presented himself and was cleared to contest before the party’s National Convention Aspirants’ Screening Committee led by Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji today in Abuja, where party officials assessed aspirants ahead of the convention scheduled to hold at the Eagle Square.
According to Bashiru, the interaction with the panel was positive, noting that his tenure at the party’s secretariat since August 2023 received recognition.
His words: “It was okay. The committee acknowledged what we have been doing since we assumed office and charged us to continue working towards growing the party, ensuring cohesion, fairness, and justice for all members. ”
Bashiru reels out what he called tangible institutional progress under his watch in his interactions with the media. He further showcased the expansion of the party’s membership base through a structured, name-based registration system as one of his achievements.
He further stated: “We have grown the party’s database to about 12 million members.” He also presented the figure as evidence of the APC’s growing grassroots appeal.
In addition, he noted that the administrative reforms within the party’s national secretariat are topnotch, which has resulted in a shift towards a more responsive and efficient system capable of handling the demands of a ruling party.
“We have been able to establish a functional and effective secretariat with an efficient bureaucracy capable of enhancing the party’s capacity. In terms of processes, including the conduct of primaries, we have introduced a level of competence that ensures seamless operations,” he added.
He also stressed that the upcoming APC Convention will provide the next phase for the APC to go beyond internal administration to revitalizing its entire structure from the grassroots upward.
“One of the key tasks before us is to activate all party structures from the polling units up to the national level. In particular, the National Advisory Council must be fully activated after the convention,” he said.
Bashiru radiated confidence about the party’s immediate future, noting that a stronger and more coordinated structure would reinforce the APC’s dominance in Nigeria’s political space ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party scribe who is expected to run unopposed for the position of National Secretary assured party members of a smooth and memorable event.
“We believe the convention will be peaceful and one of the most colourful and eventful gatherings of any political party in Nigeria. The party has assembled eminent personalities to ensure a successful outing,” Basiru said.
The upcoming convention is expected to be an ingathering of party leaders, delegates, and stakeholders from across the federation, which will set the tone for the APC’s next political phase.
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