The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has downplayed concerns that the growing influx of defectors from opposition parties could destabilise the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a media chat with journalists in Abuja, Yilwatda expressed confidence in the party’s internal structures, noting that the APC has developed effective mechanisms to manage competing interests within its expanding membership base.
Responding to questions on whether the wave of defections could trigger internal crises, he insisted that the party has already demonstrated resilience in handling similar challenges.
“If you watched our congresses, the opposition predicted that the party would collapse due to internal implosion, but we successfully managed the interests of governors, National Assembly members, and other stakeholders in a fair and balanced manner,” he said.
According to the APC chairman, the party’s stability is underpinned by a robust internal conflict-resolution framework, which he described as unmatched among political parties in Nigeria.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Yilwatda expressed optimism about the APC’s electoral prospects, citing its strong presence across key voting blocs nationwide. He specifically identified Kano and Katsina as strategic strongholds for the party in the North-West.
“I can assure you that Kano is a given to us as APC,” he said, adding that other major voting blocs, including Katsina, remain firmly aligned with the party.
Addressing criticisms that the ruling party and the Federal Government are overly focused on political manoeuvring at the expense of governance, Yilwatda rejected the claims, maintaining that governance remains central to the APC’s agenda.
“We are not just playing politics; we are also ensuring that governance will count in our elections,” he stated.
The APC has recently witnessed a steady stream of defections from opposition parties, a development that has significantly reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape and sparked debate about its implications for party cohesion and democratic competition.
Currently, the party controls 31 of Nigeria’s 36 state governments, a dominance that has led to allegations from critics that the country may be drifting toward a one-party state. However, the APC leadership insists that its structures are sufficiently strong to integrate new members without undermining internal stability.
