The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s health and fitness for the forthcoming 2027 general elections. He stated that Tinubu’s absence from some campaign rallies should not be seen as a deficiency in his leadership or commitment.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda encouraged Nigerians not to misinterpret isolated dissent against the President as a reflection of widespread unpopularity. He explained that the President’s constitutional duties may hinder his attendance at all campaign events, and that some public officials had been advised to selectively attend rallies.
Yilwatda reiterated that the President’s lack of presence at every rally should not be construed as a sign of weakness in the party’s re-election campaign. He also defended the controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, asserting that Christians within the APC feel adequately represented in the government.
He noted that many Christians engaged by the party have expressed comfort with the current ticket arrangement. Yilwatda pointed out that fears of suppression among Christians have proven unfounded during Tinubu’s administration.
In response to a recent judgment from the Federal High Court concerning the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Yilwatda denied any involvement by the APC and criticized the ADC for attributing internal disputes to the ruling party.
On the subject of electoral competition, he expressed confidence that Tinubu would prevail over opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar in a fair election, arguing that Atiku’s previous successes stemmed from the structural advantages of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rather than personal support.
Yilwatda also touched on reports of electoral violence, emphasizing the APC’s commitment to free and fair elections, and expressed sympathy for those affected. Furthermore, he defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, regarding his promise of financial rewards to councils for electoral performance, stating that it should not be misconstrued as vote buying.
