By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the National Convention of the  ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a major reshuffle, which saw the removal of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as Chairman of the National Convention Coordination Committee and his replacement with former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bello Masari, has been effected.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who approved the change also gave the nod for the increase in the committee membership from 73 to 90 to accommodate more interests.

According to reports, the move, widely seen as strategic, signals a recalibration of internal party dynamics as the ruling party prepares for a convention that could shape its leadership structure and electoral outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Uzodinma, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), was initially appointed to head the powerful convention coordination committee, a body tasked with overseeing planning, logistics, consensus-building, and political negotiations for the APC’s national convention.

However, under the new arrangement approved by President Tinubu, Uzodinma has been reassigned to serve as Treasurer of the Convention Planning Committee, a role that, while still important, places him in a less visible leadership position.

Hon. Bello Masari, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a seasoned party stalwart with deep roots in the APC’s predecessor structures, has now been named Chairman of the Convention Coordination Committee.

Party insiders say Masari’s selection reflects President Tinubu’s desire to inject broader experience, balance, and perceived neutrality into the sensitive process of convention planning, especially at a time when internal alignments and ambitions are beginning to crystallize.

According to findings, the decision to replace Governor Uzodinma was driven by a need to promote inclusiveness and unity within the APC. The party leadership is reportedly keen to avoid perceptions of dominance by any particular bloc or group, particularly governors, as the convention approaches.

By appointing Masari, who is not a serving governor but remains influential across multiple party factions, the presidency appears to be signaling a deliberate effort to reassure various interests within the APC that the convention process will be fair and broadly representative.

Beyond the leadership reshuffle, President Tinubu also approved a significant expansion of the Convention Planning Committee. The membership of the committee has been increased from 73 to 90,

Party sources disclosed that the expansion of the membership of the convention, is intended to accommodate more stakeholders and reflect the APC’s diverse political, regional, and ideological composition.

The expansion has brought in several prominent figures, including Senator Barry Mpigi and Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, alongside other top party chieftains.

The inclusion of Senator Barry Mpigi has particularly drawn attention within political circles. Mpigi, who represents Rivers South-East Senatorial District, is widely regarded as a close political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before his appointment into Tinubu’s cabinet, has continued to play an influential role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Mpigi’s addition to the convention committee is being interpreted by many observers as another signal of Tinubu’s broad-based political approach and his willingness to accommodate figures linked to different power centres.

Although Wike remains a controversial figure within some APC circles due to his political history, his alliance with President Tinubu during and after the 2023 elections has positioned him as a critical bridge between competing interests.

The inclusion of Mpigi, his close ally, is therefore seen as a calculated move aimed at consolidating support, particularly in the South-South region, where political loyalties remain fluid and highly strategic for national elections.

Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, another notable addition to the expanded committee, brings a different kind of experience to the table. Oloriegbe represented Kwara Central in the 9th Senate and currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

His legislative background and involvement in public sector governance are expected to add institutional depth and policy-oriented perspectives to the committee’s work.

Within the APC, reactions to the reshuffle have been mixed but largely measured. Some party members view the removal of Governor Uzodinma as a demotion, especially given his status as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and his visible role in party affairs.

Others, however, argue that his reassignment to treasurer still places him at the heart of convention planning and reflects the president’s intention to balance power rather than sideline influential figures.

Supporters of the move argue that Tinubu is being proactive in managing internal party tensions early, rather than allowing grievances to fester closer to the convention.

By expanding the committee and redistributing roles, the president may be seeking to ensure that no single individual or group can claim undue influence over the convention process, which will be critical in determining the party’s national leadership and strategic direction.

By Ayodele Oni

Oyegun dismisses claim as politically motivated

Few days after his deflection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the Edo State chapter of the APC, are embroiled in a N150 million debt controversy, said to be owed by the former Edo state Governor, while serving as national chairman of the party.

In a statement issued by the state chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe

accused Chief Odigie-Oyegun, of owing the party what it described as ₦150 million long-standing financial obligations.

He explained that the liabilities stem from loans and unpaid membership dues accumulated over several years during Oyegun’s time as a member and leader of the APC.

According to Tenebe, repeated efforts to recover the funds have not yielded results, insisting that Oyegun’s total indebtedness exceeded ₦150 million, alleging that he ignored several formal demands for repayment.

“The All Progressives Congress , (APC), in Edo State wishes to inform the general public that, as a law-abiding, people-centred political organisation, we have formally demanded the settlement of debts owed by the National Leader of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,” the statement read.

Tenebe said the claims cover loans allegedly granted to Oyegun during his tenure as APC national chairman, alongside membership dues he was accused of failing to remit throughout his stay in the party.

“Our records also reveal accumulated membership dues which the ADC National Leader refused to pay into the party’s coffers during his entire membership of the APC,” Tenebe added.

He explained that the party opted to go public after what he described as Oyegun’s persistent refusal to honour his financial responsibilities.

“This open demand has become necessary due to the refusal by Chief Oyegun to settle his commitments to the APC, the party that gave him the platform to tower politically.”

Responding to the allegations, Oyegun dismissed the claims, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated.

He argued that the accusations reflected anxiety within the ruling APC following the growing influence of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC).

“People will have a good laugh at that. All I can say is that, negative as what they are doing, it finally shows that they now know they have problems with the advent of the ADC,” he said in a telephone interview.

Oyegun accused the APC of reacting to the rise of the ADC with hostility rather than healthy political competition.

“They now know they are in trouble. We are ready for them. Whatever they do, we are ready. They are finally acknowledging that there is a threat to them in Nigeria,” he stated.

He further alleged that the APC had damaged the image of Edo State through intimidation, violence, and inflammatory political conduct.

“They have dragged Edo State down into the mud. The only thing they can do is resort to violence and unnecessary attacks. Instead of thinking, planning, and strategising, they resort to abusive, stupid statements,” he said.

Reiterating the ADC’s preparedness for political engagement, Oyegun maintained that his party remains firmly rooted across the state.

“We are on the ground, and whatever way they want to choose, we are waiting for them,” he added.

Also reacting, a political aide to Oyegun and former Chief of Staff to former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, Dr Isaiah Osifo, questioned Tenebe’s authority to comment on the former APC chairman’s administrative record.

“Jarrett does not have the moral or societal status to dent the internationally recognised integrity of Oyegun. It was the integrity and background of Oyegun that gave APC victory in 2015.

“Jarrett was not involved in APC. If they are grumbling that Oyegun left the party and cannot be associated with deceit and lawlessness, that is their problem,” Osifo said.