APC chairman dismisses opposition as ‘participants’ ahead of 2027 election

The chairman of Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has described opposition parties preparing for the 2027 general elections as “just participants”, saying the ruling party expects to win at every level. Yilwatda spoke to journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, after a three-day retreat for members of the APC National Working Committee. He said the party had inaugurated campaign councils and reconciliation committees and was preparing to intensify its campaign.

The chairman said the APC was confident in the candidates produced through its primary elections. He said the National Working Committee would communicate what it described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to voters. The party also passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other APC candidates ahead of the polls.

Addressing disputes arising from the primaries, Yilwatda said between 6,000 and 7,000 members had participated nationwide and that roughly 100 cases had been filed in court. He presented this as evidence that internal challenges affected only a small proportion of participants. Yilwatda said the APC was the first party to constitute a campaign council.

He contrasted its preparations with those of parties he identified as the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the African Democratic Congress, referring to their stated arrangements for election support and campaign leadership. He also said the APC had contested and won many elections, while arguing that the major opposition parties had not won a councilorship. The party said it would continue reconciliation efforts as it works towards the 2027 election.

The retreat ended with APC condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the deaths of 37 people who died in custody, according to the source material.