Meanwhile, the APC on Saturday dismissed the threat posed by the ADC and the NDC in the 2027 general election, saying the main opposition parties would merely be participating in the polls rather than mounting a serious contest against the ruling party.
The ruling party leaders also passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and all APC candidates who emerged from the party’s primary elections.
The National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, made the ruling party’s position known while briefing journalists at the conclusion of the retreat.
The event brought together members of the National Working Committee (NWC), members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), and state chairmen of the ruling party.
Citing the recent results of the five by-elections held across the country, Yilwatda said the APC’s electoral prospects remained formidable.
He said the ruling party reviewed its structures nationwide and declared itself ready for the 2027 elections.
According to him, the review covered the party’s structures from the national, state, local government and ward levels to polling units.
Yilwatda added that the assessment gave the party what he described as a “clean bill of health”, noting that the NWC considered the APC strong and prepared for the 2027 elections.
Commenting on the recent elections, he said the committee reviewed the outcomes of off-cycle and by-elections and was satisfied with APC’s performance.
He cited Ogun and Delta as states where the party had previously not won elections but recorded victories in recent contests.
The chairman said the APC won four of five elections held the previous week, losing one, and described its performance in the lost election as strong.
He said the ruling party secured victory in four of the contests, losing only one to the APM—not to the major opposition parties “often touted” in the media.
“We went to Ekiti and came first; the party that came second was the PDP, not the so-called opposition – ADC and NDC. We went to Osun, and we became second; none of those political parties you claimed won even a councillorship.
“So, if they can’t even win a councillorship, are we contesting against them? They are participants in this election, not contesting with us. We are very confident that our party can win this election; we are prepared to win the 2027 election,” he explained.
Highlighting further electoral data, Yilwatda also cited the off-cycle polls in Osun State and legislative contests in the North, including Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe, where the APC recorded strong performance.
He argued that media narratives regarding opposition momentum did not align with realities on the ground.
“Even last week, we had a by-election in Adamawa State, in Ganye local government, where Atiku comes from, and we won the election. We are very grounded, and I doubt if any party can challenge us,” he said.
Detailing the resolutions reached during the three-day retreat, Yilwatda announced that the party leadership observed a moment of mourning, extending condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the tragic loss of 37 miners.
The ruling party’s leaders passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and all APC candidates emerging from primary elections.
“We strongly believe that we produce some of the most credible candidates, most acceptable, and most prepared to serve the people of Nigeria,” Yilwatda added.
Follow us on:
