2026 Convention: APC Retains Existing Zoning Formula For National Offices

Ahead of the March 27 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has retained its existing zoning formula for national offices.

APC, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, yesterday, urged aspirants purchasing and submitting forms for national offices ahead of the National Convention to adhere to the existing zoning arrangement strictly.

“As contained in the published All Progressives Congress (APC) 2026 Schedule of Nationwide Congresses, National Convention, and Related Activities, the existing zoning arrangement for National Working Committee positions across states within the geo-political zones remains valid and applicable to the upcoming National Convention

“Accordingly, aspirants purchasing and submitting Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for national offices ahead of the National Convention are advised to be STRICTLY GUIDED by the existing zoning arrangement,” the statement reads.

Under the existing zoning formula, the national chairmanship position is in the North Central, the National Secretary is in the South West, the Deputy National Secretary position in the North Central is held, the National Legal Adviser is in the North West, the National Publicity Secretary is in the South South and the National Organising Secretary is in the North West.

In a related development, a group known as Prince Simon Ali Support Organisation, has purchased the N10m worth national chairmanship forms for the present holder of the position, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda to seek re-election.

Director General of the organisation, Dr Dominic Alancha, who came to the APC national secretariat in Abuja, yesterday, with a dummy cheque of the said amount, insisted on the need for retention of the present zoning system, particularly for the office of national chairman.

Alancha said his group decided to obtain the forms for Yilwadta as a practical demonstration of their call for him to continue piloting the affairs of the party which witnessed a major boost within the short period he heldsway as national chairman.

He said the group’s call is based on their believe that the national chairman has the capacity and the competence to move the party forward and lead it into the upcoming election so that victory will be guaranteed.

“We believe in his ability and that is why we did that in January. For us to again consolidate our words, we are here today to buy his nomination form, an expression of interest form, and I’m not doing that as an individual. We are doing that under the Prince Simon Ali Support Organisation.

“That is why I felt that it’s necessary to address you and to let you know that we didn’t just stop at calling for the retaining of zoning and endorsing the national chairman for continuity. We’ve gone a step further to ensure that we purchase his nomination form for him to continue.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank Mr President for ensuring that the zoning formula is retained in the North Central to ensure that Professor Nantawe Yilwatda is returned as a national chairman in the upcoming convention.

“With what is happening in the party already, we believe that there’s going to be inclusions, there’s going to be a hitch-free national convention comes March 27th and 28th,” Alancha said.

He noted that the party in the guidelines for congresses and convention made it, “emphatically clear that positions that are already domiciled in states will be sustained.”

“That is to say, for example, the national chairmanship is in the north central.The deputy national secretary is in the north central. The deputy publicity secretary is in the north central. Other NWC positions that are also in the north central will be sustained and that also cut across other regions.

“For example, the national legal adviser is from the north west. The national secretary is from the south west. So the party, and I think it’s a next decision, that these positions should be retained where they are.

But I think for more inclusion, people from those states are allowed to contest it,” Alancha added.

The APC chieftain who earlier declared for the position of deputy national publicity secretary of the party, said he did not proceed to obtain forms because the office is retained in Kogi while he is from Benue which is not evey allocated any National Working Committee slot.

“I have not paid for my form personally, because you know, like I said, I’m a party man and I will not do what is against my party. The party, I’ve stated it very clearly that our current positions as they were, I’m supposed to contest for the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, which is already in Kogi state and I’m from Benue state.

“In fact, as I speak to you, Benue is left without any national position, NWC position. But that is the decision of the party. We cannot go against our party. So we are supportive of whatever the party will do to ensure unity, to ensure peaceful coexistence within the party and to ensure that the democratic space is not also shrink up for other persons who are interested.

“I can tell you that it’s not true that people from those states where some of these positions are domiciled are not being denied form. I think a friend of mine paid for his form today and is contesting for the National Vice Chairman, South-South and he has been issued his receipt and I’m sure they are going to give him the form because if they refuse to give him the form, I think there will be issues and the party will not afford to contend with such issues,” Alancha added.