The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that the party’s extensive membership and organisational structure will give it an advantage in the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda made this known on Thursday while receiving members of the House of Representatives Aspirants Forum for Tinubu/Shettima 2027.
He disclosed that the ruling party had more than 261,000 executive committee members nationwide, alongside a significant number of governors, ministers, local government chairmen and councillors.
According to him, the APC is committed to providing opportunities for Nigerians irrespective of their age, gender, educational qualifications, religion, ethnic background or disability.
“Our party thrives on inclusion, and that’s what we’ve been trying to build and preach,” he said.
Yilwatda added that membership of the party offered opportunities for people from different backgrounds, while urging aspirants to remain committed to their political ambitions and work towards achieving them.
The APC chairman also described President Bola Tinubu as the strongest candidate among those expected to contest the 2027 presidential election, calling on party members to support his re-election bid.
“No political party, as it stands today, has a more credible candidate than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He cited the administration’s infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and railway developments, as evidence of its commitment to economic growth and improved connectivity.
According to Yilwatda, the coastal highway project and investments in rail transport and inland port facilities are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime economy and promote trade across West and Central Africa.
He also praised the Federal Government’s student loan programme, particularly the monthly upkeep allowance of N20,000 provided to eligible beneficiaries.
The APC chairman said the support could help students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue education while exploring small business opportunities.
He illustrated his point with the example of a female beneficiary who reportedly invested part of her allowance in a second-hand refrigerator to establish an iced-fish business.
Reaffirming his confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, Yilwatda urged the aspirants to strengthen their engagement with members at the grassroots.
“In terms of organisational structure, our party is the most organised. In terms of numbers, we have the highest number of executive committee members compared with any political party,” he said.
APC campaign official canvasses Tinubu’s second term
Meanwhile, a member of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Segun Showunmi, has called for Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that a second term would enable the administration to deepen its economic reforms.
Showunmi, who is also the convener of The Alternative Movement and a member of the campaign council’s Directorate of Media and Strategic Communication, made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the next phase of the administration should prioritise infrastructure development, local production, job creation and measures to ensure that economic growth translates into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
“A second term should be a period of accelerated delivery, expanded opportunity and a more visible connection between national economic progress and household prosperity,” Showunmi said.
He described support for Tinubu as an endorsement of policy continuity and urged Nigerians to join what he called a national effort to achieve greater prosperity.
Tinubu is seeking a second term in the 2027 presidential election. However, opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, have been critical of his administration and questioned the prospect of another four years under his leadership.
The Presidency and APC supporters have continued to defend the administration’s record and argue that Tinubu deserves another term.
