The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling political party, has postponed its ward, local government, and state congresses scheduled to take place in Zamfara State.
The party communicated the decision in a letter dated Monday, March 2, 2026, which was sent to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the government body responsible for supervising elections and regulating political parties in Nigeria.
The correspondence was jointly signed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the party’s National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
In the letter, the party explained that the decision followed consultations and ongoing administrative preparations.
The document stated that the postponement became necessary because of “ongoing consultations and the need to conclude certain preparatory and administrative processes to ensure the orderly, transparent, and credible conduct of the congresses in the state.”
Party congresses are internal elections used by political parties in Nigeria to select officials and leaders at ward, local government, and state levels. These structures help organise the party’s leadership and prepare it for national political activities and elections.
Although the broader congresses have been postponed, the party confirmed that one activity will still take place in Zamfara State. The election of three man delegates from each local government area will proceed. These delegates will represent their areas at the upcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress.
“The party will communicate a revised schedule of activities for the state to the commission in due course and in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022,” the letter read.
The development has drawn political attention because of ongoing discussions involving the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal. Lawal currently belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of Nigeria’s main opposition political parties.
Several reports within Nigeria’s political circles suggest that the postponement may provide time for consultations that could lead to a possible defection by the governor to the All Progressives Congress.
Neither the governor nor the leadership of the All Progressives Congress has officially confirmed such a move.
The ruling party stated that it will later communicate a new timetable for the postponed congresses to the Independent National Electoral Commission after consultations and preparations are completed.