The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed suggestions that emerging opposition forces pose a serious challenge to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda spoke on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno State, at the end of a three-day retreat involving members of the APC National Working Committee, elected members of the National Executive Committee and state chairmen of the party.
He pointed to the APC’s recent performance in legislative by-elections as evidence of what he described as the party’s strong electoral position, noting that the party won four of the five seats contested in the September 19 polls across Gombe, Kano, Delta and Bauchi states. The remaining seat went to the Allied Peoples Movement.
But Yilwatda went beyond citing the results, directly questioning the capacity of opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress and the Nigeria Democratic Congress to mount a serious challenge to the APC in 2027.
He argued that the recent elections did not support what he described as media narratives portraying the opposition parties as gaining significant ground.
The APC chairman recalled the party’s performance in previous elections, including the Ekiti and Osun contests, and argued that the results showed the ruling party remained firmly established across several parts of the country.
Yilwatda also referred to a recent election in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, which he identified as an area associated with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying the APC emerged victorious there.
“We are very grounded, and I doubt if any party can challenge us,” he said.
His comments come barely a week after the APC secured four of the five legislative seats contested in the latest round of by-elections. The victories were recorded in Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano, Udu State Constituency of Delta and Disina State Constituency of Bauchi.
APC Reviews Structures Ahead of 2027
Beyond electoral performance, the Maiduguri retreat focused on the internal organisation and preparedness of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yilwatda said the NWC reviewed the APC’s structures from the national level down to the polling-unit level and concluded that the party remained structurally sound and prepared for the next general elections.
The retreat also adopted several resolutions, including a decision to strengthen reconciliation efforts within the party.
State chapters were urged to establish reconciliation committees aimed at addressing disagreements, improving cohesion and protecting electoral gains ahead of 2027.
The APC leadership also resolved to take a more active role in communicating the achievements of the Tinubu administration to voters as preparations for the elections intensify.
The party's leadership further passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and candidates who emerged through the APC's primary elections.
Yilwatda described the party’s candidates as credible and prepared to serve, while expressing confidence in the structures put in place ahead of the elections.
Condolence Over Niger Deaths
The retreat also turned attention to the recent deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The APC leadership observed a period of mourning and extended condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the incident.
The deaths have triggered investigations by the authorities, with the Federal Government inaugurating a 10-member independent committee to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The committee, inaugurated by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was given two weeks to submit its report, while the cause of the deaths remained under investigation.
Party Looks Beyond Recent Wins
While the APC leadership is drawing confidence from its recent electoral performance, the 2027 contest is still more than a year away, with opposition parties continuing to organise and pursue alliances.
Yilwatda, however, said the APC would not be distracted, insisting that the party was already preparing its structures and personnel for the next general elections.
He urged party members to remain united and strengthen their presence at the grassroots while calling on Nigerians to support the APC's candidates in 2027.
The chairman also thanked Nigerians and APC supporters for their support during the past three years and called for continued backing for President Tinubu and other party candidates.
With the 2027 political contest gradually taking shape, the APC's latest retreat shows that the ruling party is placing considerable emphasis on grassroots organisation, internal reconciliation and its recent electoral record as it prepares for another nationwide campaign.
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