National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor NentaweYilwatda, has said the growing strength of the ruling party across the country is driven by grassroots acceptance, inclusive governance, and visible economic reforms, not merely the defection of governors.
Yilwatda spoke on Monday during an extensive interview on national television, where he addressed key political developments, economic reforms and preparations for forthcoming elections.
The chairman, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, stressed that the party remained firmly focused on national development and consolidation of democracy.
Yilwatda pointed out that while the media often highlighted the defection of governors, the real story lay in the mass movement of ordinary Nigerians, including the youth, farmers, women, professionals, and artisans, who were daily aligning with APC because of the impact of government policies.
“We are riding on a highway. We don’t take anyone for granted, and we pay attention to every detail. What is happening across the country goes far beyond governors. People are seeing value and the difference this administration is making,” he stated.
Yilwatda cited recent by-elections where the APC performed strongly even in states where governors were not aligned with the party, adding that Kano State is steadily tilting towards APC due to the palpable enthusiasm among the people.
The APC national chairman highlighted major economic gains under the President Bola Tinubu administration, stating that governors are now better positioned to deliver development due to improved fiscal policies.
“Before now, workers went on strike, pensioners barricaded governors from their offices. Today, that era is gone,” he said.
He disclosed that trillions of naira were now shared monthly from the Federation Account, significantly increasing state revenues, by more than five times in some cases, thereby reducing the need for borrowing.
Yilwatda revealed that inflation was on a downward trend, adding that World Bank statistics project Nigeria as the only African country expected to contribute to global GDP growth this year.
He emphasised that APC-led governance was rooted in responsiveness, adding that when Nigerians complained about rising food prices and airline challenges, the government took decisive steps to address them.
Reacting to allegations of Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state, the APC chairman dismissed the claims as baseless, saying, “Our legal framework does not support a one-party state, and APC will never promote that.”
APC appointed Governor of Imo State and Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the 73-member Central Coordination Committee for the 2026 National Convention of the party.
National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, in a notice, said Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, would serve as Vice Chairman of the committee, while Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, was named Secretary.
Bala Na’Allah: Defection Doesn’t Guarantee APC’s Electoral Success
Senator Bala Na’Allah said recent defections to All Progressives Congress (APC) would not automatically translate into electoral success for the party, insisting that performance and public trust remain the decisive factors ahead of future elections.
Na’Allah, a founding member of APC, made the remarks while on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, while reacting to the growing wave of defections from opposition parties into the ruling party across several states.
According to him, while defections may attract attention, they cannot by themselves determine the outcome of elections.
He stated that many of those defecting to APC were influential political figures with strong structures and followership in their states, a development that often created the impression of the party’s growing strength.
However, Na’Allah stressed that such movements should not be mistaken for guaranteed electoral victory.
He stated, “It is not in all cases that defections determine the success of a political party. These defections were made by people, who hold large authority in their various states.
‘’It is not in politics that defection would determine the success of a party. In Nigeria, you can conveniently say that while local people whom you believe are not satisfied by the APC are registering with the APC, it does not determine success in the coming election.
“The APC still has to work and convince the people that it is working to position the country to a greater future.”
Na’Allah explained that despite the ongoing influx of politicians into APC, the party must earn Nigerians’ confidence through good governance and tangible results.
He emphasised that the ruling party had a responsibility to convince citizens that it was genuinely working to secure a better future for the country.
Reflecting on the formation of APC, Na’Allah said the party was established with clear intentions to change the political direction of Nigeria at a time when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power.
He added that APC’s original vision was rooted in correcting what its founders believed was a flawed trajectory under the former ruling party.
“I am a founding member, and I can conveniently say that no party that had been was formed and came had a better intention than the APC,” he said.
Na’Allah stated that beyond defections, APC must continue to engage Nigerians, address their concerns, and demonstrate capacity to deliver, saying only this can position the party for success in future polls.
Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale
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