The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a significant step toward its 2026 National Convention by inaugurating a 73-member Central Coordination Committee, chaired by Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), was named Vice Chairman, while Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni will serve as Secretary. The committee, constituted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), underscores the prominent role of state governors in steering the APC’s transitional preparations ahead of the convention, scheduled for March 2026.

The composition reflects a deliberate “big tent” approach, blending veteran party figures with newly aligned leaders. Among the notable inclusions are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several recent high-profile defectors to the APC, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

One of the most eye-catching placements is that of former National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu, positioned at number 32 on the list. The move comes amid lingering speculation about his political allegiance. In 2023, Adamu publicly declared his retirement from partisan politics, citing an “allergy” to political activities. More recently, viral social media reports in early 2026 claimed he had defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accompanied by photos purportedly showing his reception into the party.

However, the Nasarawa State chapter of the APC swiftly rebutted those claims last month, insisting that the images actually depicted Adamu’s participation in the party’s nationwide e-membership registration exercise, not a defection. The chapter described the rumours as politically motivated falsehoods aimed at sowing confusion.

By reintegrating Adamu into this high-level committee, the APC leadership appears to be signaling internal cohesion and quashing any narrative of fractures within the party ranks.

The committee’s broad makeup—including former chairmen like Adams Oshiomhole and Abdullahi Ganduje, alongside serving governors, senior lawmakers, and cabinet members—highlights the strategic priority the NWC has placed on unity and inclusive planning for what promises to be a pivotal national gathering.