After hours of intense deliberations, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its 8th National Convention, returning Nentawe Yilwatda as national chairman.
The convention, held at Eagle Square on Friday, saw the emergence of key members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) through a consensus arrangement ratified by delegates.
Alongside Yilwatda, Surajudeen Basiru was named national secretary. Other appointments include Felix Morka as publicity secretary, while Dayo Israel retained his position as youth leader.
The Convention Election Committee formally announced the new NWC members during the party’s 4th Elective National Convention.
In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda described his re-election as a renewed call to duty, thanking party members for their confidence.
“We are ready to serve, ready to lead, and we are ready to build the party, together with the nation, with you, ” he said.
He also pledged that the NWC would not “fail or falter” in carrying out its responsibilities.
The event attracted top political figures, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the National Assembly, APC governors, and other party stakeholders. More than 8,000 delegates attended.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s direction, acknowledging the challenges of ongoing reforms.
“We knew rebuilding Nigeria would require courage, patience, and difficult decisions.
”But we also knew that no nation rises by hiding from the truth,” the president said.
Despite current economic and infrastructure challenges, he insisted the country is making progress.
“We are on the right track. Investor confidence has greatly improved,” he added.
Highlighting economic gains, Tinubu noted renewed foreign interest in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, an oversubscribed Eurobond issuance, and the country’s exit from the financial grey list developments he said signal restored global credibility.
On electricity supply, the president assured Nigerians of improvements.
“I assure you, many of you lamenting the problem of electricity and power; we are paying attention to that.
“Electricity will become better, and we assure you there will be opportunities and progress in our industrialisation, ” he said.
Tinubu also praised Nigerian youths, describing them as central to the nation’s future.
“You are not only the future of Nigeria; you are our hope for a more glorious and assured future,” he said.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, likened the administration’s reforms to laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity.
“Through difficult but necessary reforms, he has demonstrated vision, resolve, and uncommon foresight.
“Today, the foundation for a more stable, productive, and prosperous economy is being firmly laid, ” he said.
He added that the direction of governance has become clearer, with stronger reform logic and brighter prospects for sustained growth.
Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, also pointed to signs of economic recovery.
“The economy is improving. Growth has strengthened, doubling from two per cent previously before your administration, now at the rate of four per cent per annum, though it is still not enough,” Edun said.
“Stability is returning, confidence is rebuilding, and the giant has reawakened.”
Meanwhile, chairman of the convention’s planning committee, Bello Masari, expressed confidence in the APC’s political strength ahead of future elections.
“In terms of popularity, APC is number one, whatever the permutations,” he said. “As a party, we are not afraid. We are very ready.”
Masari also echoed calls for accountability at different levels of government, stressing that governance challenges should be addressed at their appropriate levels.
“The problem in Nigeria is that we don’t situate problems where they belong,” he said.
“Certain problems are local and belong to the local government; others are federal in nature, but you lump them all on the head of the President.”
