The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the party has not published the official list of candidates that emerged from its primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda revealed on Thursday that no final decision on the candidates who emerged from its recent nationwide primaries had been taken as petitions and appeal reports were being reviewed by its legal department and the National Working Committee (NWC).

The party’s chairman, APC, said it would not submit any list of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until the reviews were completed.

Some aggrieved stakeholders in the Niger South Senatorial District stormed the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday to demand the cancellation of the senatorial primary election conducted in the district. It was gathered that Yilwatda made the position of the party known.

Protesters alleged widespread irregularities in the exercise and called for a fresh primary election, insisting that the process that produced a candidate for the district did not reflect the wishes of party members.

On behalf of the protesters, the Deputy National Secretary of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs), Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, alleged that there was no genuine primary election, with results announced before voting materials reached the designated centres.

He said party members in the predominantly Nupe speaking district had assembled and were waiting to vote when they were told that the results had already been declared.

He also alleged that the result was announced at the Government House in Minna rather than at the APC zonal office in Bida, where senatorial primary results were usually declared.

The protesters said the departure from established procedures raised questions about the credibility of the exercise and suggested the outcome had been predetermined.

“We want justice and a new, open and transparent primary election. “What happened can’t be called a democratic process,” another protester said.

The stakeholders also urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure fairness and justice and appealed to the APC leadership to intervene to address the grievances of the party members.

Yilwatda said in response that the procedures for challenging the outcome of primaries were clearly spelled out in the Electoral Act and the party’s internal guidelines.

He said only the candidates who participated in the contested primaries have the legal right to challenge the process and submit formal complaints to the party’s Appeal Committee.

The APC chairman said the party’s legal department was currently reviewing reports from the various appeal committees and that all petitions submitted within the stipulated timeframe would be looked into.

He therefore advised the aggrieved aspirants to go through the laid-down channels to submit their objections.

“You should advise the affected aspirants to properly document any grievances and ensure that they are lodged through the approved channels. The Appeal Committee reports are already with the legal department for review,” he said.

Yilwatda told the protesters any complaint on real breach of party rules or electoral procedures will be given due consideration.

He said once the legal department has finished its review, the reports would be sent to the National Working Committee for consideration before the party submits its final list of candidates.

“The process is not complete until all appeal reports are reviewed. “We are waiting for the report of the legal department, after which the National Working Committee will take the necessary decisions in line with due process,” he said.

Yilwatda’s comments show the growing concern of APC members and aspirants over the delay in the release of the final list of party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections.

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The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has given a two-week ultimatum to the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda to resign.

The Forum reportedly accused Yilwatda of monetizing the just concluded primary elections.

They specifically attributed the crisis and controversy surrounding the State Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential primaries of the ruling party to the Yilwatda-led APC National Working Committee (NWC).

“The Forum said in a statement on Friday by its National Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, that “results were upturned to favour those who danced to the tune of party officials while in several cases, aspirants who were set to win primary elections were screened out”.

The Forum threatened to take the national chairman to court if he did not resign by June 12, the country’s 2026 Democracy Day.

“We are giving the national chairman a two week ultimatum to resign on the grounds of incompetence, breach of the party constitution, monetization of the just concluded party primaries and altering the results when it favoured those perceived not to be in his camp.

“We have it on good authority that the national chairman and his team used the position to change the results and influence the outcome of primary elections across the country,” the statement said.

The APC group said it was alleging the manipulation of the outcomes of the primaries in several cases, citing alleged discrepancies between records of party officials and the number of votes recorded for President Bola Tinubu, in the presidential primary election.

“We are worried that the NWC under the national chairman did not reconcile the official data of the party with the presidential primary election. The party has 8 million registered voters but when they released the result of Mr President in the presidential primary, they wrote more than 10 million votes.

Only registered people are going to vote, according to the guidelines. “Therefore, this means that all over the country what they did was selection of candidates, not election,” the statement read.

The Forum also lamented that the party had been weakened as a result of the controversy trailing the primaries with some key members resigning to join other political parties over perceived injustice.

“This is why we are asking the national chairman to resign within two weeks. If he refuses, we will drag him to court. If thereafter he refuses to resign after two weeks, we will go to court and we will present evidence of monetization of the party primaries and also reducing the value of the party, that is why key members are complaining of injustice and leaving the APC for other parties.

The national chairman does not have what it takes to settle the grievances that are coming out of the primaries, it is clear. “They sent people to the states to conduct the primaries who do not have the required political experience and that is why we are seeing all these problems,” the statement added.

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There are indications that a new crisis is brewing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as some aggrieved governors are said to be pushing for the removal of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the party’s National Chairman ahead of the 2027 elections.

There is a plot to remove Yilwatda from office masterminded by five aggrieved APC Governors over the conduct and outcome of the party’s primaries for the 2027 elections, according to reports.

Leadership reports that the Governors include two from the Southwest, two from the Northcentral and one from the Southsouth.

But the reports have it that one of the Southwest Governors is spearheading the plot to remove Yilwatda from office and replace him ahead of 2027 elections.

According to top party sources quoted in the report, it was learnt that the Governors are angry with the national chairman over his refusal to do their bidding during the recently concluded National Assembly primaries conducted by the APC across the country.

It was gathered that they are not pleased with the demand by Yilwatda that all results must be properly scrutinised by the National Working Committee (NWC) before final ratification and official announcement at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

I Did Not Commit the Crime
But Yilwatda, through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, said that all decisions on the process for the primaries were taken with the collective agreement of all stakeholders in the party.

“The primaries and the proclamation of the final results were conducted based on the agreed procedure,” he said.

On the development, the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, PGF, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, said he was not in a position to speak for the PGF.

But party insiders told our correspondent that the APC 2026 Primary Election Guidelines clearly stated that election committees should collate results at the constituency and senatorial district levels before forwarding them to the party’s national headquarters for verification and ratification by the NWC.

But many governors reportedly ignored the provision and allegedly pushed for the collation of results and declaration of winners straight from their respective state capitals.

APC Leadership Stance
A source in the APC National Secretariat in Abuja who craved anonymity, said the party leadership was aware of the alleged plot against the chairman.

Some of the governors had sought to buy the forms of their preferred candidates ahead of the party primaries, the source claimed.

But he stated that Yilwatda did not succumb to their demands or force candidates on them.

He said: “The first intention of these governors was to put pressure on members of the NWC to sell the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to only aspirants whose names they sent to the national headquarters. They were prepared to invest one billion naira each.

But it was the national chairman who upset the plan and insisted that all aspirants must be given equal opportunity to get the party forms. This was regarded as his first offence against the governors.

“The second problem was his refusal to allow governors to individually appoint all the members of the election committees and appeal panels that were sent to their states. “If the governors could select all committee members, it would have been easier for them to install their favourite candidates and influence the reports to back their actions.

The Tinubu Effect
The source said the refusal of Yilwatda to play their game was a big red flag for some of the Governors hence the push to replace him ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He however said the aggrieved Governors have not been able to convince President Bola Tinubu on their stance thus slowing down their moves.

“These governors have been meeting regularly over this plot and we are also aware of the role being played by a South-West governor. They are already spreading propaganda against the national chairman, saying he is “inexperienced and nepotistic” and it would be risky for the party to let him run its affairs before the 2027 polls.

“But their biggest challenge is how to get the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their mission. “I doubt if they can convince him because he is a man that allowed governors to choose their candidates for the state assemblies without interference from the National Secretariat,” he said.

Go To Appeal
For his part, the Special Adviser to the APC Chairman on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki said the party has laid down procedures to address grievances.

And he dismissed reports of a gang against Yilwatda.

There is no such thing as anger anywhere. All decisions regarding the primary elections were taken with the collective agreement of all stakeholders in the party.

“There is no better way than not letting governors decide the outcome of the primaries.

“Results can be collected and announced at local government and state levels, but no candidate should be formally declared winner at that stage. This is because there are some aspirants who may like to exercise their constitutional right to appeal through petition to the committee for appeal.

“The NWC can only make a final declaration of winner after such appeals are received, thoroughly scrutinised and considered on their merit by the National Working Committee of the party. “That is the proper order to the official declaration of a winner,” he said.

Yilwatda took over as the APC National Chairman after his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, stepped down on health grounds in June 2025.

It is believed he has the backing of President Tinubu for the position.

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Nentawe Yilwatda, the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared that the party is capable of resolving its disagreements.

Yilwatda’s remarks coincide with the APC’s current primaries-related concerns.

In an interview with reporters following his meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Wednesday, he said that the APC’s popularity throughout Nigeria made the party’s primaries the most contested in the nation’s history.

The APC Chairman claimed that the primaries were mostly peaceful and free of rancour while expressing gratitude to President Tinubu and members nationwide for their support.

“I also want to express my gratitude to our supporters for their methodical approach to these procedures. It’s well-organized, almost rancour-free, and has few complaints. Election-related complaints are common, but the process is almost flawless, he said.

“Our guidelines on consensus are clear,” he remarked in response to the disputes and controversies surrounding the consensus arrangements in certain jurisdictions. We also have clear policies regarding direct primaries. Direct primaries are used when reaching a consensus is ineffective. People in every state are acting in this manner.

Yilwatda added that the party had internal procedures to deal with post-primary disputes.

“After this primary election, there will undoubtedly be some disgruntled party members. Over time, our internal dispute resolution process has been successful.

The Presidential Conflict Resolution Committee is one of them. The Party Conflict Resolution Committee is one of them. “We manage people as much as we can, and the party itself has been working to reduce crisis,” he stated.

“The President was very impressed with the logistics we deployed across the country, the tactics we’ve used,” he added. The fact that there are fewer cases nationwide has also really impressed him. He is pleased with our work.

The chairman described the exercise as a logistical success and praised members for their discipline, which resulted in “limited conflicts” during the process. He said that the nationwide deployment of direct primaries this cycle was a significant step and indicated improvements in the party’s organizational capacity.

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has warned aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket for the 2027 election against any form of violence or unruly behaviour.

He called on them to be peaceful and respect results of free and fair primary elections.

The APC National Chairman, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, warned that aspirants who do not comport themselves may be suspended from the party.

He warned of individual ambition taking precedence over the collective interest of the party and national stability.

“The leadership of the party will not condone any act that could disrupt the smooth conduct of the primaries, noting that any aspirant or supporter found to be instigating violence, sponsoring unrest, engaging in anti-party activities or attempting to compromise the integrity of the process would be subjected to severe disciplinary measures including immediate suspension from the party.

“There can be only one winner in any democratic contest. What matters is the spirit in which the process is approached. “I call on all aspirants to show maturity, patriotism and good sportsmanship by accepting the outcome of the primaries in the overall interest of the party and our democracy,” he said.

Yilwatda also lauded President Bola Tinubu for his “tireless commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and internal processes of the party,” and appealed to aspirants and stakeholders to key into the President’s vision rather than engage in actions capable of overheating the polity.

“The Renewed Hope administration is building a solid foundation for a more robust and prosperous Nigeria. “That is not the way to go about it. That is not the way to do politics,” he added. “This is not the time for destructive politics or selfish interests that may put a dent on the remarkable progress that has been achieved.”

The APC Chairman also called on party members to rally behind President Tinubu for re-election in 2027, stressing that the developmental programmes across the country must continue.

“The infrastructure revolution currently underway under the leadership of President Tinubu will have far reaching implications for economic productivity, job creation, market access and national competitiveness. These are strategic investments that will change communities and make the economic foundation of the country stronger,” Yilwatda said.

He assured all aspirants that the APC would ensure fairness, inclusiveness and internal cohesion, adding that the party would continue to provide purposeful leadership anchored on development and national progress .

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The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Nantewe Yilwatda, has dismissed fears over the defection of Peter Obi from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, insisting the development poses no threat to the ruling party.

Yilwatda spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing sale and submission of APC nomination and expression of interest forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

APC chairman reacted to developments in opposition parties, saying any internal crisis in opposition groups was their business and has nothing to do with the APC.

He also described the resignation of about 18 National Assembly members from the ADC to the NDC as politically insignificant.

“If someone defects from ADC to NDC or another opposition party, it does not affect APC,” he said.

Let them sort out their problems. “APC is strong and we are making progress with good numbers.

Yilwatda also argued that opposition figures were merely operating within the same political space, and noted that none of the defectors were APC members.

“You talked about NDC. People come into APC and say we paid them, but when they leave among themselves, no body says a thing. No defector comes from our party. They are fishing from the same pond,” he said.

On the continuous purchase of nomination forms, the APC chairman said that the turnout was indicative of the increasing public support for the ruling party across the country.

“Nigerians are satisfied with what APC is doing. They love and accept the party in all geopolitical zones,” he said.

“We are happy with the number of people purchasing our forms.”

He said the APC is well-positioned and organised for the 2027 elections.

“This can only happen in APC and we are happy to see it under our watch,” he said.

Yilwatda also ruled out any possibility of extending the deadline for purchase and submission of nomination forms, saying the timelines were provided in the Electoral Act.

“We would love to extend the time but we are time bound,” he said.

“The Electoral Act limits the time frame for holding primaries and submitting results. We want to avoid unnecessary complications as well.”

He said the party would come up with measures during the screening exercise to avoid overcrowding and make it easy for aspirants.

Yilwatda, while acknowledging the large turnout of supporters at the venue, said access would still be regulated during screening, even as he described the crowd as evidence of the APC’s growing popularity nationwide.

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Nentewe Yilwatda, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that people who leave the party will not be able to take over its leadership roles.

Yilwatda said this to reporters after a closed-door meeting with party leaders from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that defectors who want to run for office must show resignation letters that their former party chairmen have accepted.

Yilwatda said, “If you are in opposition, you must give a resignation letter and show proof that your former party chairman accepted your resignation.”

He made it clear that there was a difference between people who had been in the party from the beginning and people who had just joined. He said that both groups’ interests would be protected without one group taking over the other.

“We built this house ourselves.” He said, “If the house wasn’t built, no one will come, so no one should come as a warrior and take over.”

He went on to say that the answer was a planned power-sharing formula that made sure both blocs were included.

Yilwatda said, “We need to include everyone; there will be a sharing formula that makes sure that all members of the legacy group and defectors are properly carried along.”

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Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says that the party is accepting and tolerating Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said this on Tuesday in Abuja while answering questions from reporters. This was shortly after he met with APC stakeholders to talk about problems that had come up during the ongoing congresses of the APC in the FCT.

Yilwatda said that the APC and Wike have been working closely together because of an agreement between the ruling party and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He says that the Minister is honoring a working relationship that the party made with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the minister wrote to his party and got permission to serve in the ruling APC.

The National Chairman of the APC said he was worried about the conflict of interest between party members in the FCT who were also defectors from the PDP and were accused of trying to take over the APC.

He told the founding party members not to give up the APC to people who leave other parties because of pressure.

Prof. Yilwatda said earlier that more than ₦250 million has been set aside for the ward and state congresses in the FCT. He asked everyone involved to put aside their tribal, religious, ethnic, and other divisive feelings and work together as the APC plans for the 2027 general elections.

He said, “There must be harmony in the process of making decisions about who gets to share elective and appointive positions. This will make sure that everyone feels like they belong in the APC.”

He said that all the tribes should be included in a way that promotes love, tolerance, diversity, and inclusiveness, all based on a shared goal of making the party successful in the next elections.

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Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that while the opposition parties are focused on insulting and attacking the government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is working on a coordinated economic plan to make Kano State a major industrial and commercial center in Northern Nigeria and a major trade route across West Africa.

The National Chairman said in a statement signed by Mr. Abimbola Tooki, his special adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, that President Tinubu’s strategic economic vision is to make Kano the largest business and industrial hub in Nigeria after Lagos and the main gateway for trade into the Sahel and Francophone West Africa.

He said that the government’s broader economic plan would greatly change Nigeria’s development path by strengthening regional balance and increasing industrial capacity across the North.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not just doing development projects in Kano; he is changing the economic future of Northern Nigeria through Kano,” the statement said. It went on to say that the city is still “the central commercial hub of the North and a strategic link to the wider West African trade network.”

Yilwatda pointed to a number of ongoing federal projects as proof of the government’s dedication. One of these is the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge railway, which he said would connect Kano to Abuja and other parts of the country, making it easier for goods and people to move around.

He said that bringing the state’s industries back to life would help lessen reliance on Lagos by creating another major economic center in the country.

He went on to say, “reviving Kano is the same as reviving Northern industry,” and he stressed that the government is using an integrated infrastructure model that includes rail, energy, transportation, and industrial development.

The APC chairman also criticized the opposition parties, saying they were more interested in attacking the government than coming up with new ideas for development. He said, “The opposition is more interested in politics and personal ambition than national development, while President Tinubu is building the infrastructure backbone that will change the North for generations.”

He said that the opposition parties were more interested in insults, propaganda, and power politics than in helping the country grow.

“They don’t give any ideas, plans, or other visions.” He stressed that their only goal is to insult the APC and attack every development project because they can’t think beyond politics.

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Nentawe Yilwatda, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), traveled to Kano State to offer his condolences to Mustapha Dawaki, his chief of staff, regarding the death of his mother.
Professor Yilwatda offered the Dawaki family his sincere sympathies during the visit to Kano, praising the late grandmother as a woman whose ideals and legacy are obvious in her son’s character and public service.

After a protracted illness, Hajiya Binta Bala, 83, passed away.

In compliance with Islamic customs, her janaza (funeral) prayers were held last Saturday at the Dawakin Kudu Central Mosque in Dawaki Town.

He prayed for her soul to rest and for the grieving family to have courage and solace at this trying time.

The APC National Chairman visited the Police Private School (PPS), Dawkin Nkudu, an educational program founded by Hon. Dawaki to improve access to high-quality education in the state.

The school, which has expanded to more than 700 kids in less than two and a half years, is one of Dawaki’s many empowerment initiatives to improve communities and invest in human capital.

As an academic man, Professor Yilwatda praised Hon. Dawaki for his vision and dedication to education, pointing out that intentional investments in knowledge and character development are the first steps toward sustainable development.

He described the school as a lighthouse for molding Nigeria’s future leaders and commended the administration and personnel for their commitment, professionalism, and the supportive atmosphere they offer.

Residents of Dawkin Nkudu and the adjacent communities welcomed the APC National Chairman with great enthusiasm during the condolence visit, demonstrating Hon. Dawaki’s strong grassroots contacts and popularity in the area.

In closing, Professor Yilwatda urged ongoing community-based programs that uplift youth, improve social cohesiveness, and reaffirm the APC’s dedication to people-centered development nationwide.

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