The enormous defections to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after former presidential candidate Peter Obi left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have been minimized by Nantewe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Naija News, Yilwatda revealed this on Wednesday in Abuja while the APC nomination and expression of interest forms were being sold and submitted in advance of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda rejected the resignation of roughly eighteen National Assembly members from the ADC to the NDC in response to changes inside opposition groups, characterizing the action as politically unimportant.
The APC Chairman insisted that the latest defection does not pose a threat to the ruling party, stressing that opposition leaders were merely moving within the same political domain and that none of the defectors were APC members.”Leaving the ADC to join the NDC or another opposition party has no bearing on the APC,” he said.Allow them to find solutions to their problems. We are moving forward with remarkable numbers, and APC is still strong.You brought up NDC. No one speaks up when they quit the party, despite claims that we bought them off to join the APC. None of our party’s members are defecting. They fish from the same pond.
Speaking on the continuous procurement of nomination papers, Yilwatda stated that the turnout was indicative of the nation’s rising support for the ruling party.
Citing the deadlines outlined in the Electoral Act, Yilwatda also ruled out the prospect of extending the deadline for purchasing and submitting nomination forms.
“Nigerians are happy with what APC is doing,” he emphasized. Across all geopolitical zones, they adore and embrace the party. The sheer volume of people coming out to buy our forms gives us hope.
“We are time-bound, but we would have loved to prolong the time.
The time range for holding primaries and submitting results is restricted by the Electoral Act. Additionally, we wish to prevent needless problems.
He claims that the APC is still organized and in a strong position ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This can only happen in APC, and we are pleased to witness it under our administration,” he said.
Yilwatda further stated that the party would implement procedures throughout the screening process to avoid crowding and guarantee a smooth procedure for candidates.
