ABUJA — The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday night drew an unusual mix of political heavyweights, including six recently defected governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Anambra State governor, Senator Chris Ngige, who stormed the gathering hours after leaving Kuje prison.
Six Ex-PDP Governors Attend First APC Caucus
Among those in attendance were six sitting governors who had recently crossed over from the PDP to the APC, marking their first caucus meeting with the ruling party. They include:
- Sim Fubara (Rivers State)
- Peter Mbah (Enugu State)
- Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State)
- Douye Diri (Bayelsa State)
- Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State)
- Agbu Kefas (Taraba State)
Also present were other prominent former PDP figures such as ex-Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, and former Senate President Ken Nnamani.
The meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Serving and former APC governors, as well as members of the party’s National Working Committee, were also in attendance.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observed proceedings, underscoring the significance of the caucus gathering. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived at 7:38 p.m. to preside over the meeting.
Ngige’s dramatic arrival
In a dramatic twist, former Governor of Anambra State and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, arrived at the caucus meeting barely hours after securing bail from Kuje prison. Ngige had been remanded following corruption allegations leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Having fulfilled his bail conditions earlier in the day, Ngige made his way to the State House Conference Centre after President Tinubu had already arrived. Security operatives briefly stopped him at the entrance before clearing him to join the meeting.
His arrival drew attention and reportedly attracted cheers from some presidential aides, signaling his continued relevance in the political space despite recent controversies.
The caucus meeting
The caucus meeting, bringing together defected PDP governors, APC stalwarts, and figures like Ngige, highlights the shifting dynamics within Nigeria’s political landscape. With the ruling party consolidating its ranks and welcoming new entrants, the gathering underscored APC’s strategy of broadening its base ahead of future political contests.