…APC Won’t Lose 2027
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on Saturday, declared that the massive turnout witnessed during the party’s nationwide 2026 primaries was a clear indication of the ruling party’s growing grassroots acceptance and internal democratic strength.
Yilwatda made this declaration shortly after participating in the APC Presidential Primary election at Dungung Ward in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he said the conduct of the exercise had further deepened democratic participation within the party.
The APC chairman, who arrived at the venue alongside former Plateau State Governor and ex-Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Council, Sen. Simon Lalong, was received by the Chairman of Kanke Local Government Council, Hon. Lapchin Golime, amid a large gathering of party faithful and supporters.
Speaking with journalists after casting his vote, Yilwatda praised APC members for what he described as their discipline, enthusiasm and unwavering loyalty to democratic ideals.
“You can see the massive turnout in all the places we visited. It is organic. The support for President Tinubu is organic. The support for the party is organic.”
“The entire community is coming out to affirm that what we are seeing today will reflect during the general election. These thousands here are APC members alone. Imagine what the turnout will be when the larger community joins during the election proper.”
He maintained that the ruling party had successfully penetrated rural communities across the country, stressing that many Nigerians now identify with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the growing popularity of the APC explains why many politicians are eager to contest on the platform of the party.
“Everybody wants to be in APC. People are rejecting other political options because APC is seen as the best vehicle to government. That is why we are confident APC will not lose the election,” he declared.
The APC chairman, however, acknowledged the existence of grievances arising from the primaries, but insisted the party had established mechanisms for reconciliation and conflict resolution.
“In APC, we do not discard dissenting voices. We engage, reconcile and bring everybody together because our goal is not just to win with a few members but to move forward as one united family,” he stated.
Yilwatda explained that dissatisfaction was inevitable in a competitive political process where only a limited number of tickets were available despite thousands of aspirants seeking elective offices.
“In some states, you may have only one governorship ticket with over 16 aspirants contesting. For House of Assembly seats, thousands may purchase forms. Naturally, there will be complaints, but people remain because APC remains the most attractive platform.”
He likened the intense competition for APC tickets to the struggle for a valuable prize.
“If a throne is not valuable, nobody fights for it. People compete for APC tickets because they are valuable. The passion and contest show the strength and relevance of the party.”
Responding to claims that APC’s dominance was largely due to incumbency, Yilwatda dismissed the argument, pointing out that the party had also recorded losses in several elections.
“If incumbency was everything, how did we lose elections in places like Anambra, Kano by-election and even the FCT? The truth is that APC continues to win more because of grassroots acceptance,” he argued.
He further disclosed that the party had put in place appeal committees to address complaints arising from the primaries.
“There are structured channels for aggrieved aspirants. Nobody is declared a final winner until appeal committees submit their reports and the National Working Committee concludes its review process,” he explained
Also speaking, former Plateau State Governor and Senator Representing Plateau Southern Senatorial District, Simon Lalong, commended President Bola Tinubu and the APC national leadership for sustaining internal democracy within the party.
Lalong described Yilwatda as one of the most impactful national chairmen the party has produced since its formation.
“In my history as a foundation member of APC, no chairman has performed the way he is doing within such a short period.
He added that the overwhelming turnout witnessed at the venue reflected the growing confidence Nigerians had in the APC leadership and the Tinubu administration.
“We came here today and saw an incredible crowd. Even till daybreak, you may not finish counting the people trooping in. That tells you the level of support APC enjoys,” he noted.
Yilwatda also monitor the primaries in Kanke, Pankshin and Mangu Local Government Areas of the State.
