By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a move sparking significant political interest, former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar met privately with Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting, as gathered by Daily Trust, was held behind closed doors at Atiku’s residence in the Federal Capital Territory.

The meeting was concluded without any remarks to the press, and no official statement was released regarding its agenda.

The interaction gains relevance against the backdrop of ongoing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku, who recently entered into a strategic alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a broader opposition coalition, has consistently affirmed his continued involvement in national politics and his intention to run in the next presidential election.

Senator Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and a current senator under the APC, remains an influential figure within the ruling party. He previously contested for the Senate Presidency in the 10th National Assembly, losing to the incumbent, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

While the precise purpose of the meeting remains unconfirmed, sources within political circles indicate a noticeable uptick in high-level engagements. A source within the ADC, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, noted that such discussions are becoming commonplace as political actors begin early positioning.

“We are in a phase of active political alignments and realignments across the board,” the source stated. “While the specific agenda of this meeting is not public, it falls within the pattern of strategic consultations expected at this time.”

The development is likely to fuel further speculation about potential cross-party negotiations and shifting alliances as the country approaches the next election cycle.

Editor’s note: The Picture attached is just for an illustration

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released what it described as an “Adjusted APC 2026 Schedule of Nationwide Congresses, National Convention and Related Activities,” detailing timelines for ward, local government, state, zonal congresses and the party’s national convention.

The document, issued from the party’s National Secretariat, Buhari House, Wuse II, Abuja, stated that the timetable was drawn “pursuant to the provisions of Article 11:4 sub-section (i–xiii), and Article 17(i) of our Party’s Constitution.”

According to the APC, the schedule outlines “the proposed timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of Congresses across Wards, Local Government Areas (LGAs) and States of the Federation to elect Party Officials.”

For ward and local government activities, the party said “Commencement and completion of Membership E-Registration” will take place from “Saturday 31st January 2026 – Sunday 8th February, 2026,” while “Notice of Congresses to the State and FCT Chapters” is fixed for “Monday 2nd February, 2026.”

It added that “Purchase and Submission of Forms for Ward and LGA Congresses” will run from “Wednesday 4th – Monday 9th February, 2026,” followed by “Inauguration of Ward/LGA Congresses Screening /Screening Appeals Committee” on “Tuesday 10th February, 2026.

The APC further stated that “Screening of Aspirants for the Ward and LGA Party positions” will hold “Wednesday 11th – Thursday 12th February, 2026,” while “Ward Congresses” are scheduled for “Wednesday 18th February, 2026.”

“L.G.A Congresses (including election of 3 members from whom shall be female to the National Convention)” will hold on “Saturday 21st February, 2026,” with “Appeals Arising from LGA Congresses” slated for “Monday 23rd February, 2026.”

At the state level, “Purchase of Forms for State Exco” will take place from “Sunday 22nd – Wednesday 25th February, 2026,” while “State Congresses” are scheduled for “Tuesday 3rd March, 2026.”

For zonal and national activities, the APC said “Purchase and Submission of Forms for Zonal Congress and National Convention” will hold from “Thursday 12th – Monday 16th March, 2026,” and that “Zonal Congresses in the six geopolitical zones; Zonal Offices” will take place on “Wednesday 25th March, 2026.”

The zonal venues were listed as “South West: Ibadan,” “South East: Enugu,” “South South: Rivers/Cross River,” “North West: Kaduna,” “North East: Gombe/Bauchi,” and “North Central: Nasarawa.”

The party fixed its National Convention for “Friday 27th – Saturday 28th March, 2026.”

Alongside the timetable, the APC announced fees for purchase of forms across party levels.

Under wards, “Expression of Interest for all Ward Party Positions, ₦5,000.00,” while “Ward Chairman (Nomination Form), ₦20,000.00,” “Ward Secretary and Treasurer, ₦15,000.00,” and “Ward Vice Chairmen and Other Officers, ₦15,000.00.”

For local governments, “Expression of Interest for all L.G.A Party Positions, ₦10,000.00,” while “Local Government Chairman (Nomination Form), ₦100,000.00,” and other LGA offices attract ₦50,000.00 each.

At state level, “Expression of Interest for all State Party Positions, ₦50,000.00,” with “State Chairman, ₦1,000,000.00,” and “State Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, ₦500,000.00.”

For zonal offices, “Expression of Interest for all Zonal Offices, ₦100,000.00,” while “Zonal Officers, ₦200,000.00.”

At the national level, the party fixed “Expression of Interest for all National Party Positions ₦100,000.00,” while “National Chairman ₦10,000,000.00,” and “Dep. National Chairmen (N&S), National Secretary ₦7,500,000.00.”

The APC further stated that “Female Aspirants, Youth and Physically Challenged Aspirants are to pay for the Expression of Interest and 50% of the prescribed Nomination fees for each position.”

In the announcement was also the appointment of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), as the head of the 73-person Central Coordination Committee for the party’s National Convention scheduled for March 2026.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Nyesom Wike has scheduled its national convention for March 28 and 29, 2026, in Abuja. The convention will elect a new National Working Committee and other statutory party officials.

The decision was announced in a communiqué issued on Monday following the 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the faction in Abuja. The document was jointly signed by the National Chairman of the faction’s Caretaker Committee, Abdulrahman Muhammed, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

According to the communiqué, “NEC further approved and confirmed March 28 and 29, 2026, as the date for the PDP National Convention, to be held in Abuja for the purpose of electing members of the National Working Committee and other statutory organs of the Party.”

The announcement comes shortly after an Ibadan High Court invalidated the convention held by a rival faction led by Aminu Turaki, highlighting the ongoing internal dispute within the opposition party.