APC Postpones National Convention to March 27 as E-Registration Deadline Shifts

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially revised its 2026 political calendar to accommodate surging membership interests. The ruling party announced a significant extension of its nationwide electronic registration exercise until February 8. This decision aims to bolster the party’s grassroots base ahead of the upcoming general elections. Furthermore, the National Working Committee has rescheduled the highly anticipated National Convention for March 27 and 28. This adjustment allows for a more comprehensive transition from the ongoing digital membership drive. The party originally planned to conclude the registration process by the end of January.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed these major resolutions during a press briefing in Abuja. He explained that the 183rd National Working Committee meeting necessitated these tactical schedule adjustments. Furthermore, the party has fixed the commencement of ward congresses for Wednesday, February 18. This nationwide mobilization effort seeks to achieve a staggering 12.5 million membership target. Active voice declarations from the party hierarchy suggest a strong focus on digital inclusion. Conversely, four specific administrative regions face immediate exclusion from the forthcoming congress schedule. These areas include Rivers, Osun, Ekiti, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The exclusion of these regions stems from unique electoral and judicial circumstances within each territory. Specifically, Rivers State recently conducted off-cycle congresses, and current executive tenures remain legally valid. Furthermore, Osun, Ekiti, and the FCT have imminent governorship or local council elections on their schedules. The party hierarchy intends to prioritize these active electoral cycles before conducting internal leadership transitions. In a related development, the APC has adopted a fully digital application process for all congress aspirants. This innovation represents a first-of-its-kind move toward institutional transparency within Nigerian political parties. Registrants must provide a Voter Identification Number (VIN) to ensure financial and electoral inclusivity.

Political analysts suggest that the e-registration extension is a strategic response to high participation levels. The party claims to have already surpassed the seven-million mark in its digital database. Furthermore, the Coordinating Committee for the National Convention will receive its official composition on Monday. This committee will oversee the final logistics of the transition to new national leadership. Conversely, the party must manage potential internal friction arising from the exclusion of key states. The APC leadership remains optimistic that these digital reforms will set a new industry standard. They believe that a verified membership base is essential for a credible internal democracy.

The forthcoming National Convention in late March will serve as the ultimate test for these reforms. All Progressives Congress members across the country are encouraged to utilize the eight-day extension fully. Furthermore, the party intends to publish a detailed breakdown of all adjusted congress dates shortly. This systematic approach aims to prevent the chaotic leadership disputes often seen in Nigerian political cycles. The success of this digital experiment could reshape how parties manage memberships in the future. For now, the focus remains on meeting the ambitious twelve-million-member milestone by early February. The ruling party continues to navigate the complex intersection of digital innovation and traditional political mobilization.