APC Cites Regional Balance and Elder Statesmanship in Convention Leadership Shift

The decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma with former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari as the chair of its National Convention Central Coordination Committee has been clarified as a strategic move rooted in regional equity and party hierarchy. The shuffle, which occurred just weeks before the scheduled March 27 and 28 convention, was not a disciplinary action but rather a realignment to ensure broad stakeholder representation.

According to senior party insiders, the primary catalyst for the change was the need for regional balancing. With President Bola Tinubu hailing from the South, the party leadership felt it was “appropriate and balanced” to have a seasoned Northern leader at the helm of the convention’s most critical planning body. Alhaji Aminu Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term governor, was seen as the ideal bridge to oversee the process with a sense of geographic fairness.

Furthermore, the appointment of Masari and former Senate President Pius Anyim—who serves as Vice Chairman I—reflects a desire to engage “elder statesmen” who are not currently seeking elective office. This status is believed to provide them with the neutrality and “even-handedness” required to manage the competitive interests that often arise during a national convention. By placing experienced hands who are “above the fray” in charge, the party aims to mitigate internal friction and foster a consensus-driven environment.

Governor Uzodimma’s transition to the role of Treasurer within the committee is being framed as a move to leverage his logistical influence. As the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Uzodimma remains a central figure in the convention’s funding and mobilization strategies. High-ranking members of the National Working Committee (NWC) dismissed rumors of a rift, noting that his new assignment ensures he remains integral to the committee’s executive core while the party maintains its commitment to seniority and zoning protocols.

The newly expanded 90-member committee now includes a comprehensive cross-section of the APC’s power structure, featuring all 27 serving governors, the leadership of the National Assembly, and key members of the Federal Executive Council. This “all-inclusive” approach is designed to give every faction a sense of ownership as the party prepares to elect a new National Working Committee later this March. While the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has remained tight-lipped about the internal deliberations, the broader consensus within the party is that the Masari-led team represents a shift toward stability and traditional party respect.