The All Progressives Congress League of Professionals (ALP) has dismissed the ultimatum issued by All Progressives Congress Youth Solidarity Network (APC-YSN) to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to resign.
The ALP described the threat as the handiwork of some desperate politicians.
APC-YSN, a youth group within the APC, had accused Yilwatda of failing the leadership test and presiding over a party that is steadily losing popularity across the country.
It therefore threatened to mobilise for a nationwide protest if their demand was not met.
But a statement by ALP’s national coordinator, Comrade Marlin Daniel, over the weekend, insisted that the youths behind the ultimatum and threats against the ruling party’s national chairman were not APC members but sponsored goons working for the opposition to jeopardise its chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Daniel said, “It is important to state categorically that APC-YSN is not a recognised youth group within the APC family. They’re a faction without any credibility and cannot issue threats and ultimatum against the national chairman of our great party. They’re indeed nothing but sponsored elements by desperate opposition elements to sow seeds of discord and polarise the party.
“Anybody who attempts to push the narrative that Prof. Nentanwe’s leadership has weakened the APC’s structure and made the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu more difficult has lost touch with the reality on ground and must not be taken seriously. It is the height of deception fuelled by desperation and fear of the popularity of the APC in recent times.
“How can anybody think the massive defections into the APC by governors, senators, House of Representatives members and prominent opposition elements is a sign of a weakened party structure? If this is not the handwork of opioid hallucination then, it is a well orchestrated plan to mislead Nigerians with twisted logic. This is callous and petty”, Daniel said.
ALP also exposed the contradiction in APC-YSN’s logic of accusing the national chairman of “undermining the unity within the APC” but praising the national secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru, for having “a free hand to work effectively in running the party. This is team work and harmonious relationship within the party and not inefficiency as alluded by those who hate to see Nigeria progress and are working round the clock to frustrate the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is not true that the party under Nentanwe is silent in terms of mobilising support for President Tinubu and his administration. Prof. Nentawe is credited with reconciling aggrieved parties with the APC and a massive membership drive that has seen a rise in the number of decampees to the party. To think this is not a tactical move to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election is laughable.
“We are however, not surprised because credible intelligence available to us indicate that, APC-YSN is been sponsored by an opposition governor within the North Central region which explains the needless attacks against the personality of our esteemed national chairman, Prof. Nentawe”, Moreso the names behind the APC-YSN are known merchants whose stock in trade is to get paid and they organise protest against organisations or individuals across the country.
The group urged party members and well- meaning Nigerians “to disregard the antics of sponsored elements masquerading as APC members and intensify efforts in supporting the national chairman and President Tinubu in the discharge of their mandates towards a better, prosperous and stable Nigeria of our dreams.”
