APC Congresses: Ex-APC NWC member warns Yilwatda against handing party structures to Governors

Ahead of the nationwide congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Yekini Nabena, has cautioned the Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda-led National Working Committee (NWC) against allegedly surrendering party structures to incumbent governors.

Nabena warned that allowing governors to control party machinery from the ward level to the state level could deepen internal resentment, sideline loyal party members and further weaken grassroots participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, the Bayelsa State APC chieftain stressed that electoral victories in 2027 would be determined by the masses, not a handful of political actors in positions of authority.

“The 2027 general elections is about the masses against the few people in the corridors of power. The masses must be carried along,” he declared.

The former party spokesperson said there were strong indications from the APC national secretariat that governors in various states might be given sweeping control over the congress process, including the distribution of nomination forms and the emergence of party executives.

He maintained that such an approach would undermine internal democracy and could spark avoidable disputes across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“We will not be surprised if this prediction comes true because the National Chairman himself and more than half of the entire NWC did not go through election. They were appointed. So, what do you expect?” Nabena queried.

According to him, it is not too late for the party leadership to avert what he described as looming mistakes by conducting transparent, free and fair congresses nationwide.

He urged the NWC to ensure that nomination forms are made accessible to all interested aspirants, warning that restricting the process to governors would breed litigation, factionalism and internal crisis.

“As the party prepares for congresses, the report we are getting is that all the nomination forms are being delivered to the governors, who will eventually determine who becomes what through selection. This will not end well. In fact, it will be the beginning of an internal crisis that may lead to implosion,” he warned.

Nabena also appealed to APC elders and stakeholders to intervene and guide the party leadership, noting that the congresses represent a critical test of the party’s commitment to internal democracy.

While cautioning against actions that could destabilise the party, he called on President Bola Tinubu to step in and ensure fairness before the nationwide congresses commence.

“My appeal to the NWC is that they should not chase away the remaining masses we have in the party. APC used to have about 40 million registered members, but now we are struggling to get 10 million registered members in the ongoing electronic registration. This calls for caution, and we must be wise enough to do the right thing now,” he added.

Political observers say the outcome of the congresses may significantly shape the APC’s internal cohesion and electoral prospects ahead of 2027.