APC Primaries Most Competitive Ever, Says Chairman

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has described the party’s ongoing primaries as the “most competitive ever in the history of Nigeria,” citing the large number of aspirants participating across the country.

Yilwatda spoke with journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the President’s Lagos residence.

According to him, the level of participation in the primaries reflected the growing acceptance of the ruling party across the country.

“The assessment is very simple. You can see how competitive our party have turned out to be. In terms of just simple demand and supply.

“We have few positions and we have thousands of people who have come to vote for this motion across the country. The most competitive ever in the history of Nigeria,” he said.

The APC chairman added that many Nigerians now see the party as their preferred political platform.

“It shows how APC have penetrated all communities in Nigeria and how they are accepted by Nigerians and how every facet of Nigeria wants to be a member of APC and all leaders, people that want to become leaders in Nigeria, they’ve seen APC as the first choice,” he stated.

He also commended party supporters for what he described as a disciplined conduct during the primaries.

“I want to thank our supporters for the disciplined approach they’ve given these processes. It’s near rancour-free, very organised, little complaints,” he said.

Responding to concerns over disagreements arising from consensus arrangements in some states, the chairman said the party’s guidelines clearly provided for direct primaries where consensus failed.

“Our guidelines on consensus are clear. Our guidelines on direct primaries are also clear. Where consensus doesn’t work, you go for direct primaries,” he said.

According to him, aspirants who agreed to consensus arrangements were required to formally sign consent forms before the process.

“You must sign off those consensus forms that you’ve stepped down. You agreed on a consensus candidate before the process takes place. That’s what we’re following in the guidelines,” he added.

On possible disputes after the primaries, the APC chairman said the party had internal conflict resolution mechanisms in place.

“We have an internal conflict resolution mechanism that has prevailed over a period. We have the Presidential Conflict Resolution Committee. We have the Party Conflict Resolution Committee,” he said.

Yilwatda acknowledged that some members could become aggrieved after the primaries but said the party was focused on reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Everywhere, if you lose an election, it’s not a rare thing. The emotions, the sentiments, the fact that you feel you’re the best and then suddenly it’s gone, you’re not the one,” he stated.

He further disclosed that President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the primaries, especially the logistics deployed and the reduced number of incidents recorded during the exercise.

“The President was very impressed with the logistics we deployed across the country, the tactics we’ve used also. He has also been very impressed with the reduced number of incidents that we have across the country,” Yilwatda said.

He also thanked the President for supporting the National Working Committee in enforcing party regulations.

“I want to also thank Mr President for the backing he has given the National Working Committee to succeed,” he added.