The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has confirmed that the party maintains a working relationship with Nyesom Wike and his faction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Yilwatda made this known while addressing concerns surrounding the APC’s ward, area council, and state congresses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He cautioned recent defectors against attempting to dominate or take control of the party’s established structures.
Clarifying the nature of the alliance, he explained that the arrangement originated from the PDP, not the APC. According to him, Wike had formally written to the PDP’s National Working Committee in 2023, which subsequently approved his collaboration with the APC in his capacity as a minister.
He emphasized that such political alliances are not unusual in Nigeria, referencing a similar partnership between the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the PDP in 2007. However, he stressed that this cooperation does not grant Wike any authority within APC affairs.
“The FCT minister is not a member of the APC, and we have never consulted him on party matters,” Yilwatda stated, reaffirming that Wike remains a PDP member and was not invited to APC meetings.
Addressing internal party dynamics, Yilwatda underscored the importance of balancing the interests of longstanding members and new entrants. He warned defectors not to attempt to overshadow existing members, noting that the party’s foundation was built by those already within it.
He further revealed that the APC is adopting a structured power-sharing formula to ensure inclusiveness across all groups. This framework focuses on five key areas: gender inclusion, equitable geopolitical representation, balance between legacy members and defectors, inclusion of indigenous FCT communities, and meaningful youth participation.
Yilwatda disclosed that a zoning committee led by Zephaniah Jisalo had already carried out the necessary arrangements, with its recommendations fully implemented. He added that no member has raised concerns about unfair treatment.
On party guidelines, he reiterated that the APC constitution would be strictly enforced during the congresses. Defectors seeking leadership roles must provide evidence of resignation from their former parties, including acceptance by their previous party chairmen.
He also highlighted the party’s stance on tenure limits, stating that individuals who have held a position for eight consecutive years must step down or transition to another role.
Yilwatda concluded by emphasizing inclusion as a central principle of the party’s philosophy. Using a metaphor, he likened effective political representation to a well-prepared meal enriched with diverse ingredients, stressing the need for ethnic, gender, generational, and regional balance.
He noted that women should not only be mobilizers during elections but also active participants in leadership, while also pointing out that individuals aged 18 to 50 constitute about 82% of the party’s membership—making youth inclusion essential for electoral success.
