Defectors won’t displace founding members in APC — Yilwatda declares
…proposes inclusion formula The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned political defectors into the party against attempting to take over leadership structures, insisting
...proposes inclusion formula
The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned political defectors into the party against attempting to take over leadership structures, insisting that “legacy members” who built the party must be respected.
He gave the warning on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the party’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council and State Congresses.
While welcoming new entrants, Yilwatda stressed that the APC must protect its founding members, noting that the party’s growth should not translate into the displacement of those who established it.
“The people who decamped should not come and take over the party,” he said. “They should come knowing there are people who were already living in the party. It is a home we built. If the house was not built, nobody would come. Nobody should come as a warrior and take over existing members.”
To reduce internal tensions, he proposed a structured “sharing formula” designed to promote inclusion and balance across different stakeholder groups.
For the FCT structure, he outlined five pillars of representation, including equitable participation between founding members and new entrants, improved inclusion of women in substantive executive positions beyond symbolic roles, and geopolitical balance across Nigeria’s six zones.
He also emphasised the need to integrate indigenous communities within the FCT structure and strengthen youth participation in party leadership, describing young people as the dominant bloc in the party’s membership base.
Citing party data, he said individuals between 18 and 50 years account for about 82 per cent of members, while those above 50 constitute about 18 per cent, adding that electoral success is largely determined by numerical strength.
Yilwatda further warned that the APC constitution would be strictly enforced during the congresses, stating that defectors seeking executive positions must present verifiable evidence of their departure from their former parties.
"If you are in opposition, you must give a resignation letter and show evidence of resignation... and acceptance of your resignation by your own chairman. Very important," he said.
He also reminded officials of tenure limits, noting that anyone who has served eight consecutive years in one office must step down or change roles.
Addressing the presence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in the current administration, Yilwatda clarified that the APC is operating in a formal "working relationship" with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He clarified that this was an institutional arrangement, noting that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had officially approved Wike’s ministerial role in 2023. However, he was quick to draw a line regarding party leadership.
"The FCT minister is not a member of APC. We have never conferred with him for anything that has to do with APC," Yilwatda said, explaining Wike's absence from the stakeholders' meeting. "He only wrote to the PDP at the inception of this government, and the PDP gave him approval to serve in our party."
Using a culinary metaphor, Yilwatda described inclusion as the "spice" that makes the party viable.
"There's nothing as beautiful as a food that has so many spices in it. You cook rice, and all you see is only rice. No palm oil. Who will eat it?" he asked. He noted that as a member of a minority tribe found in only two local governments, he is a personal beneficiary of the party's inclusive policies.
"I am chairing this party because of inclusion," he concluded. "If there is no inclusion, I can’t be here."
