APC Congresses: Don’t hand over party structures to governors, Ex-NWC member warns Yilwatda

By Omeiza Ajayi

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

Nabena warned that handing control of party structures — from the ward and local government levels to the state level — to governors would breed resentment, deny genuine party members their rights, and further alienate grassroots supporters.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Bayelsa State APC chieftain stressed that the 2027 general elections would be decided by the masses, not a select few in positions of power.

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

According to Nabena, indications from the party’s national secretariat suggest plans to allow governors in each state to control the party structures during the congresses.

He maintained that it was not too late for the party leadership to correct what he described as looming mistakes by ensuring free and fair congresses nationwide.

“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.

The former party spokesperson urged the NWC to follow due process by making nomination forms available to all interested aspirants to prevent litigation and internal friction across the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He argued that some members of the current NWC lack electoral experience, noting that many did not contest or win elections into their current positions.

“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 appealed to the NWC, led by Prof. Yilwatda, to reconsider the alleged plan and ensure transparency in the process. He also called on party elders and leaders to intervene and guide the committee against what he described as a potential misstep.

While cautioning against internal crisis, Nabena urged President Bola Tinubu to step in before the congresses commence nationwide.

“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 said.

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