The Summit of the Progressives

The official account of the Summit of the Progressives—a national summit holding on November 18 to mark and celebrate the APC’s 10 years in power.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

It always amuses me when some people, mostly supporters of Peter Obi, someone who has consistently shied away from competitive primaries, and now their newfound allies, the supporters of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, talk about my inability to secure the APC ticket when I contested. What they always fail to understand is that contesting for a ticket in the ruling APC, the largest political party in Africa, is entirely different from obtaining a ticket on a platter in a mushroom party where there is absolutely no real competition.

For the record, if my objective had merely been to just get the ticket, in 2023 I could easily gotten the sole Labor Party governorship ticket in Kano.

But politics, for me, has never been about taking the easiest route just for the sake of contesting it, but participating in a credible democratic process.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

I sincerely hope that, with time, you will come to realize that not every post deserves a confrontational response. Social media has conditioned many of us into believing that disagreement must always come with aggression, hostility or attempts to score points publicly. It shouldn’t be so. Maturity in public discourse is always knowing when to disagree without turning every conversation into a battlefield. And perhaps when you eventually understand that, you will realize that you do not even have to be confrontational in responding to this very post of mine.

Bello, there is indeed life outside social media validation, and that is why I do not do my things for that. In fact, if social media acceptance was my objective, then logically, what do you think would have stopped me from aligning with the Obidient movement? We all know how strongly organized and emotionally invested they are on this platform. The moment I announce my alignment with Peter Obi, there are people who would immediately begin defending me against every criticism, amplifying my voice and presenting me as one of the finest political voices to ever emerge from Northern Nigeria simply because I aligned with Peter Obi.

This is a simple, direct question I have for you about the line between loyalty to the party and patriotism you mentioned. Can you honestly identify a single person in today’s Nigeria who defected from one political party to another purely because of patriotism?

Let us be honest with ourselves for once. We all know that most of these defections are not driven by ideology, national interest or patriotism. They are largely motivated by political survival, personal ambition, access to power or being relevant within the system. That is the political reality we all know, whether people choose to admit it publicly or not.

Interestingly, there are many of these same politicians who left APC ahead of the 2023 elections because they could not secure tickets under the party, and later contested and won under opposition platforms. Several of them have already abandoned the same opposition parties that gave them electoral victory and are now finding their way back to the ruling party.

So when people speak about patriotism in relation to defections, it is important to always separate emotional political narratives from the practical reality of Nigerian politics. In most cases, political movement is less about ideology and more about interest, kuma na san kai ma ka san hakan.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

I initially thought Peter Obi and Sen. Kwankwaso started having issues with the ADC because of the Ibadan Declaration and the speculation that Gov. Seyi Makinde could emerge as Atiku’s preferred running mate, which obviously pushed them away from the party. Now, interestingly, Makinde himself has declared interest in the presidency under the cassava party.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

I know some people will not be happy hearing this obvious fact, but the reality remains that there is no meaningful NDC presence in the North. Even with all the social media predictions and online noise, nobody can confidently point to a single Northern state and claim that the NDC has the upper hand there. The same situation applies in the South West as well.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

It is easy to criticize an incumbent government, every administration will have its shortcomings, but leadership is ultimately about solutions and clarity of direction. Across the opposition space today, we are seeing familiar faces, recycled alliances and fragmented ambitions, yet very little concrete conversation about what they would genuinely do differently if entrusted with power.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

Happy 60th birthday to Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, @HMMohammedIdris, FNIPR.

In your current role, Sir, you have brought clarity, professionalism and calm authority to government communication, reinforcing the bridge between leadership and the people. You always promote national unity, responsible journalism and constructive engagement, which continues to leave a lasting impact on our democratic process.

As you step into this new decade, may you be granted continued good health and greater accomplishments.

Many happy returns, Sir.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

As President Tinubu’s working visit to the United Kingdom enters its second day, Minister of Information and National Orientation, @HMMohammedIdris, granted an interview at BBC headquarters in London, to both their English and Hausa services, where he outlined the objectives of the historic visit and the expected benefits for Nigeria.

[Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT]

The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time.

I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are the final desperate and frantic attempts by criminals and terrorist elements trying to instil and spread fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces and security agencies operating in various theatres.

We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be.

I must commend the courage and fighting spirit of our patriotic troops who successfully repelled the coordinated attacks by these terrorists on military positions in the state.

The Monday attacks were desperate acts of the evil-minded terrorist groups. Our gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down.

Just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, I approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities. This effort is already in progress.

Additionally, I have directed security chiefs to move to Maiduguri to take charge of the situation. I have also directed the emergency agencies to provide proper care for the injured.

There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them.

Nigeria will not succumb to fear.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria

[APC Nigeria @OfficialAPCNg]

The Governor of Adamawa State, H.E. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, paid a courtesy visit to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Wednesday, where he was received by the Party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Following his recent defection to the APC, Governor Fintiri @GovernorAUF pledged his full loyalty to the Party, stating that his decision was driven by a commitment to deliver electoral value in the upcoming general elections. He also offered a strong endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s @officialABAT administration, noting that the President deserves a second term based on the results of his economic and other sectoral reforms.

[APC Nigeria @OfficialAPCNg]

The maiden meeting of the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention Central Coordination Committee was held in Abuja and was presided over by the Chairman, former Governor of Katsina State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari.

The Committee is mandated to coordinate and harmonise all activities leading to the successful conduct of the Party’s 2026 National Convention.

[Bashir Ahmad, OON @BashirAhmaad]

I am honoured to have been nominated to serve as a member of the Media and Publicity Committee for the 2026 National Convention of our great party, the APC, led by Gov. Mai Mala Buni and Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. This responsibility is not only a privilege but also a reminder of the trust reposed in us to strengthen our communication, project our values and mobilise support for the ideals that bind us together as progressives.

[The Summit of the Progressives @APCProgSummit]

The Progressives Forum (TPF), in partnership with The Bola Tinubu Legacy Conference, The Buhari New Media Centre (BNMC) and the Progressives Rights Group (PRG), has announced the “Summit of the Progressives,” a national event to mark 10 years of APC governance (2015–2025).

[The Summit of the Progressives @APCProgSummit]

We are please announce the ‘Summit of the Progressives’, a programme commemorating 10 years of the All Progressives Congress governance at the national level on January 27, 2026. The chairman of the media & branding committee, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed the new date in a statement.

[Peoples Gazette @GazetteNGR]

Progressives Forum marks 10 years of APC governance on January 27 https://t.co/H25NV9sYyr

[Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT]

I am heartbroken by the abduction of our daughters in Kebbi and the painful loss of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the brave soldiers who fell in Borno. Their families, and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls, are in my prayers.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.

I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.

I am fully apprised of the recent uptick in violent extremism in pockets across the country, and I have directed our security agencies to respond with urgency, clarity, and decisive action. Our forces need the full cooperation of every community. Sharing information can save lives and protect our children.

May God comfort the bereaved families.

Those who threaten the safety of our citizens will face the full weight of the Nigerian state.

[APC Nigeria @OfficialAPCNg]

Today, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, met with elder statesman and former National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, for consultations on key Party matters.

[APC Nigeria @OfficialAPCNg]

At An Evening with H.E. Sen. Hope Uzodimma held at the APC Youth House, young Nigerians engaged the Governor of Imo State/Chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) in deep conversations on progressive governance, reform, and the redefinition of youth participation in politics.

[The Summit of the Progressives @APCProgSummit]

Welcome to the official account of the Summit of the Progressives — a landmark national gathering scheduled for November 18, dedicated to marking and celebrating 10 years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in power. You can join the conversation using #ProgressivesAt10.