President Bola Tinubu on Thursday evening presided over a meeting of the National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the ruling party stepped up internal consultations ahead of crucial political milestones.
The gathering drew an array of senior party figures, including six governors who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but have since defected to the APC. Those in attendance were Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba).
Also present were prominent political figures who recently joined the APC from the PDP, including former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, and former Senate President Ken Nnamani.
The caucus meeting formed part of a series of engagements originally scheduled for December 15 and 16 but later shifted to December 18 and 19 to allow for broader participation and a review of emerging party priorities.
The APC National Caucus, a key advisory body within the party, comprises the President and Vice President, serving and former governors, National Assembly leaders, members of the National Working Committee, and other influential party stakeholders. It traditionally meets ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s highest statutory decision-making organ.
Party sources described Thursday’s meeting as strategic and consultative, aimed at strengthening unity, reinforcing internal discipline and aligning positions ahead of the NEC session. Discussions were said to centre on organisational priorities, coordination at the state level and harmonisation of interests across the country’s geopolitical zones.
Although the agenda was wide-ranging, insiders noted that fostering cohesion among senior party leaders was a major focus, particularly in the aftermath of the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose legacy continues to shape the party’s internal dynamics.
The presence of past officeholders was viewed as a confidence-building step, providing a platform for dialogue, consensus-building and the resolution of internal frictions as the APC looks ahead to 2026, when preparations for the 2027 general elections are expected to intensify.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led other top government officials at the meeting, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
President Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 7:38 p.m., underscoring the importance attached to the meeting in the party’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its leadership and political direction.
