By Ogochukwu Isioma
Preparations for the 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress gathered momentum on Tuesday as the party’s Protocol Sub-Committee held its inaugural meeting in Abuja.
The meeting was chaired by the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, who heads the Protocol Sub-Committee for the convention.
Also present was the committee’s secretary, Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, alongside other members including the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and a member of the House of Representatives, Jimi Benson, among others.
During the session, members of the committee deliberated on their terms of reference and the responsibilities required to ensure seamless protocol arrangements during the convention.
According to the committee, key aspects of its mandate include managing official courtesies and precedence, coordinating invitations and RSVPs, and designing seating arrangements for dignitaries and delegates expected at the convention.
Following the meeting, the committee undertook an inspection visit to Eagle Square, the designated venue for the 2026 convention, to assess logistical and protocol arrangements ahead of the event.
The inspection, the committee said, was aimed at ensuring the venue meets the operational requirements necessary for the smooth conduct of the gathering.
After the site visit, members of the Protocol Sub-Committee paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the APC National Convention Planning Committee, Aminu Bello Masari, at his residence in Abuja.
During the meeting, the committee briefed Masari on the outcomes of its inaugural session and presented updates on its preparatory activities for the convention.
The committee also disclosed that it had set up specialised working groups within its structure to focus on specific areas of responsibility, a move expected to enhance efficiency and professionalism in handling protocol duties during the convention.
