On Wednesday, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) held a meeting at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, marking the first gathering since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023. Security around the venue was significantly increased, with armed personnel, including soldiers from the Guards Brigade, restricting access to the area. Both vehicular and pedestrian movement were limited, and despite prior accreditation, journalists were not allowed entry.

The meeting saw the participation of key APC figures, including all members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the Forum of State Chairmen, and prominent party leaders such as former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu. Governors from various states, including Edo, Benue, Ondo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Yobe, Niger, Lagos, Kogi, Ogun, and Imo, as well as the deputy governor of Ebonyi, were also in attendance. Former governors from Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, and Plateau also participated in the gathering.

President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas arrived at the venue around noon. APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje presided over the meeting. However, notable absentees included former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.