National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has been cleared by the party screening committee, declaring that the ruling party remains Nigeria’s only political platform that is youth-friendly.
He also said the party remains a truly nationwide party, well spread, and has a functioning internal democratic system at the screening exercise on Tuesday, while meeting with the party’s committee at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Prof. Yilwatda was screened by the APC National Convention Aspirants’ Screening Committee, chaired by the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, which subsequently asked him to ‘take a bow’ in recognition of what it described as his commendable leadership of the party.
Addressing journalists shortly after the exercise, the Chairman commended the party’s commitment to due process, noting that under the current leadership, all members, regardless of status, are subject to the same internal systems.
“In the APC, it has been different. Everybody is subject to the system and how it operates. The processes have become more transparent and organised, and the system now prevails over individuals,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to party stakeholders, including Governor Wha, lawmakers, House members and senators, across the country for their support over the past eight months of his leadership, attributing recent gains to collective effort and commending the screening committee and other sub-committees for what he described as a seamless and conflict-free convention process.
Highlighting the party’s growing strength, Yilwatda revealed that APC’s membership base is largely driven by young people, with about 50 per cent aged between 18 and 35, while only 18 per cent are above 50 years.
“This clearly shows that we are the most youthful party in the country and that the future belongs to the party. The party has also produced some of the youngest elected lawmakers in Nigeria,” he said.
On inclusivity, the Chairman noted ongoing efforts to improve women’s participation, pointing to the enforcement of a 35 per cent affirmative action in party structures, including the current convention committee.
Yilwatda further emphasised the APC’s national dominance, stating that the party remains the only one with electoral victories and organisational presence across all six geopolitical zones.
“If you look at recent by-elections, the APC has recorded wins in Kano, Zaria, Adamawa, the South-West, South-South, and South-East. No other political party has achieved this in the past year.
“We have recorded the fewest legal disputes. From local government to the state and zonal congresses, we have not had a single court case. That shows that our members believe in the system.
“We don’t believe in friends of the party; we believe in members of the party, with clear obligations and responsibilities,” he said.
He also highlighted the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism, noting that issues arising from congresses at various levels were largely resolved through arbitration rather than litigation, reaffirming his commitment to the party, pledging to consolidate existing achievements if re-elected, and stressing that “APC prioritises committed membership over mere political alliances.”
Leave a Reply