In a decisive move to fortify the ruling party’s foundations ahead of the next electoral cycle, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a high-stakes Committee on Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilisation. The committee’s formation, announced by Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Bayo Onanuga, signals a proactive attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to confront internal fissures and galvanise its national structure well before the 2027 general elections.
The timing of this initiative is strategically significant. By acting in late 2025, the APC leadership is acknowledging that the complex work of party reconciliation and grassroots reactivation cannot be a last-minute endeavour. It reflects an understanding that the political capital and cohesion expended during the 2023 election cycle and the subsequent governance challenges require deliberate and early-stage repair. This committee is, in essence, an institutionalised peace-building and strategic planning organ, tasked with ensuring the party enters the 2027 race as a unified force rather than a coalition of factions.
The committee’s mandate is twofold, addressing both internal harmony and external expansion:
- Conflict Resolution: This goes beyond mere dispute settlement. It involves diagnosing the root causes of friction within the party—often stemming from contested primaries, perceived inequities in patronage, and ideological disagreements between its various blocs. The goal is to “implement a system that gives everyone, especially aggrieved parties, a sense of belonging and inclusion,” as stated by the committee’s Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
- Mobilisation and Strategy: This pillar focuses on reinvigorating the party’s connection with its base and planning for the electoral battlefield. It encompasses membership drives, stakeholder engagement, and developing a compelling narrative that aligns with the “Renewed Hope” agenda, countering opposition narratives and voter apathy.
The composition of the committee reveals its intended clout and geographic balancing act. It is a “who’s who” of APC power centers, designed to ensure buy-in from all critical constituencies:
- Governors as Pillars: The inclusion of over ten sitting governors, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara) and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (Hope Uzodimma of Imo), grants the committee direct influence over the party’s most powerful sub-national structures. Their participation is crucial for enforcing any resolutions at the state level.
- Federal Executive Presence: Members like the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, provide a link to the federal administration’s apparatus and resources.
- Historical and Legal Weight: The appointment of former APC National Legal Adviser, Mr Muiz Banire, as Member/Secretary brings institutional memory and legal acumen, vital for navigating party constitutionality and electoral law. The inclusion of figures like former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi suggests an attempt to integrate influential past actors.
- Notable Inclusions: The membership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is particularly telling, given the recent political turbulence in that oil-rich state. It indicates a direct effort by the presidency to manage that volatile situation within the party framework.
In his remarks, Chairman Buni outlined a methodology of “strategic engagements and consultations” aimed at a “result-oriented strategy.” He warned members against letting personal interests override the collective purpose—a tacit acknowledgment of the personal ambitions and rivalries that often derail such committees. This sentiment echoes President Tinubu’s earlier call for tolerance and accommodation at the APC’s National Executive Committee meeting, where he stressed, “We must continue to be resolute that this democracy that we take in our hands must not fail.”
The success of this committee will be measured not by its meetings, but by tangible outcomes: a reduction in public spats among party chieftains, smoother candidate selection processes for upcoming off-cycle elections, and a demonstrably more energised party base. If it fails, the APC risks entering the 2027 elections as a divided house, undermining its campaign and governance efficacy. Its inauguration is therefore a critical early test of Tinubu’s ability to manage the complex political machinery he leads, setting the tone for the next two years of political consolidation.
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2025 (NAN)
MUYI/FAK/
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Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
