By Nkechi Eze
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that the ruling party remains the only political platform in Nigeria with the national reach, institutional structure and political resilience required to deliver stability, progress and long-term national renewal.
Yilwatda made the assertion in Abuja while addressing issues relating to Nigeria’s political, social and economic governance, stressing that the country cannot afford to entrust its future to political alternatives he described as unstable and disorganised at a time of democratic consolidation.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Mr. Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman said the party has consistently demonstrated the institutional maturity, national spread and administrative capacity necessary to manage the complexities of a large and diverse federation like Nigeria.
According to him, the ruling party is not merely positioning itself for the next electoral cycle but is actively working to deepen governance, strengthen democratic culture and rebuild public confidence in political institutions.
“The All Progressives Congress is not an ad hoc coalition held together by convenience. It is a tested and enduring political machine built on structure, spread, experience and the capacity to respond to the real needs of Nigerians,” Yilwatda said.
He added that the APC possesses the institutional strength and national reach required to carry the responsibilities of both present governance and the country’s future development.
Yilwatda acknowledged that governance inevitably involves difficult decisions and competing pressures, but maintained that the party remains committed to supporting reforms and policies capable of placing Nigeria on the path of long-term stability, productivity and prosperity.
He described the task before the current administration as a serious nation-building effort requiring courage, patience and political steadiness, adding that the ruling party understands the weight of its historic responsibility as the governing platform under Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The APC chairman also criticised the internal crises affecting some opposition parties, describing the situation as evidence of their lack of preparedness for national leadership.
According to him, any political platform that cannot manage its own internal affairs, reconcile competing interests or maintain discipline within its ranks cannot be trusted with the responsibility of governing a complex federation like Nigeria.
Yilwatda argued that persistent factional disputes, legal battles and leadership conflicts within opposition parties reflect deeper structural weaknesses and managerial deficiencies.
“A party that cannot govern itself cannot govern Nigeria. If a political platform is constantly trapped in self-inflicted crisis and weakened by poor management, it simply has no business asking Nigerians for the mandate to lead this country,” he said.
Despite the criticism, the APC chairman emphasised that the ruling party does not fear political competition and prefers to win elections through popular support rather than through technical disqualification of opponents.
According to him, genuine democratic legitimacy is derived from mandates freely given by the people through the ballot box.
“Victory is sweeter when it is earned and more legitimate when it is freely given by the people. The strongest mandate is one secured through persuasion, performance, organisation and political engagement,” he said.
Yilwatda also linked the party’s growing confidence across the country to what he described as its expanding grassroots structures, improved internal discipline and renewed efforts to reconnect with voters at the community level.
On national security, the APC chairman described the Federal Government’s latest phase in the mass trial of more than 500 terrorism-related suspects as a significant demonstration of state resolve and commitment to the rule of law.
He said the development represents an important shift in Nigeria’s security response, moving beyond arrests to ensuring judicial accountability for acts of terrorism and violent criminality.
According to him, the process shows that the Tinubu administration is addressing insecurity not only through military operations but also through intelligence coordination, legal enforcement and institutional strengthening.
“Sustainable security cannot be built on force alone. It must rest on justice, deterrence, lawful prosecution and visible consequences for those who threaten the peace and sovereignty of the country,” he stated.
Turning to party affairs in Osun State, Yilwatda commended the APC chapter in the state for what he described as its growing organisational readiness ahead of future political contests.
He however warned that electoral success would require discipline, clear messaging, structured operations and effective conflict management within the party’s campaign framework.
The APC chairman stressed the importance of establishing a single command structure for campaign operations in the state, with clearly defined responsibilities and accountability mechanisms to avoid internal conflicts that could weaken political efforts.
He also urged party leaders to establish a strong conflict resolution mechanism capable of addressing grievances and internal tensions before they escalate into factional divisions.
According to him, modern political campaigns must move beyond ceremonial mobilisation and instead adopt data-driven, ward-based strategies that reflect voter behaviour and local realities.
Yilwatda further described Osun as a politically strategic state whose electoral outcomes could influence the broader strength of the APC in the South-West region and serve as an important rehearsal ground for the 2027 general elections.
“Osun is not just another state election. It is a test of strength, a battle of perception, a measure of organisational discipline and an important rehearsal ground for 2027,” he said.
The APC chairman called on party leaders, youth groups, women’s wings, elected officials and grassroots mobilisers in the state to unite behind a common goal, placing collective success above personal ambition.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting policies that promote security, democratic legitimacy, economic recovery and institutional stability, insisting that the APC remains focused on strengthening both the party and the Nigerian state.
“Nigeria needs steadiness, structure, courage and capacity. The APC represents that responsibility. We are not perfect, but we are prepared, tested and committed to doing the hard work required to move this country forward,” Yilwatda added.
