The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu’s signature infinity symbol and the popular chant, “On your mandate,” were symbols linked to occultism.
Yilwatda addressed the allegations on Tuesday while speaking on ‘Politics Today’, a Channels Television current affairs programme, following growing criticisms from opposition figures and social media commentators.
Responding to questions on why many APC members wear caps and insignia bearing the infinity symbol, particularly during state functions and party activities, the APC chairman said the narrative being pushed by critics was false and misleading.
According to him, the infinity symbol represents freedom and continuity, not occultism. He explained that the symbol reflects the struggle for freedom following Nigeria’s long years of military rule and the transition to democracy in 1999.
“The infinity sign is a sign of freedom, which the President believes in,” Yilwatda said. “After the military handed over power in 1999, there was a feeling that the military yoke over Nigeria had been broken. It symbolised freedom—freedom of association, freedom from poverty, and freedom from all forms of entanglement. That was the spirit behind it.”
He stressed that wearing the symbol is a matter of personal belief and choice, not a compulsory requirement for APC members.
“It is not true that once you register as a member of the APC you must wear it. No. It is people who believe in it that wear it,” he clarified.
Yilwatda also reacted to claims that the chant “On your mandate we stand” was a coded message used to induct supporters into a cult-like structure, describing such interpretations as deliberate fabrications by critics.
“Critics don’t define moments,” he said. “As usual, they try to find loopholes—sometimes visible, sometimes invisible. Sometimes, they don’t even exist; they create them.”
He accused critics of deliberately creating false narratives to mislead the public and discredit the ruling party.
“They create an environment and give society an impression of what does not exist. I think this is one of those cases where they are presenting what does not exist,” Yilwatda added.
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