ABUJA, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has extended a cautious message of congratulations to Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while warning him against leveraging his previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to skew Nigeria’s electoral process in favour of the ruling party.
Professor Yilwatda, a former REC in Benue State and erstwhile gubernatorial candidate, was ratified as APC’s national chairman last week—marking the party’s fourth chairmanship change in two years.
In a statement issued and signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the new APC chairman’s background in electoral administration places a weighty responsibility on him to uphold democratic principles.
“We take note of Professor Yilwatda’s previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). This is no small credential,” the ADC said.
“It comes with a deep understanding of electoral ethics, neutrality, and public trust. We sincerely hope he will draw on this experience to promote the sanctity of our electoral processes, rather than using insider knowledge to game the system in favour of his party, as has often been the case under the APC’s watch.”
The ADC also criticised the APC for convening its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja—a session during which Professor Yilwatda’s appointment was formalised—calling it “a dangerous blurring of the line between party and state.”
“The decision of the ruling party to host its party meeting at the seat of government is an aberration that underlines how far this government has strayed from the foundational norms of democratic accountability,” the statement read.
While voicing scepticism over APC’s recent trajectory, the ADC expressed hope that Yilwatda’s appointment might offer the ruling party a chance to recalibrate its governance style.
“We are hopeful that this particular appointment might trigger a shift in tone, temperament, and trajectory for a party that has too often equated governance with propaganda, and power with impunity,” the ADC said.
The party concluded by offering a measured benediction for the new chairman’s tenure: “We pray for Professor Yilwatda, that may his tenure be longer than those of his predecessors and his exit more honourable.”
