APC only tested platform for stability, progress — Yilwatda

ABUJA — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that the ruling party remains Nigeria’s most credible and durable political platform, capable of delivering stability, progress, and national renewal.

Speaking in Abuja, Yilwatda said the APC has demonstrated the institutional strength, national spread, and political discipline required to govern a complex and diverse country like Nigeria, stressing that the nation cannot afford to experiment with “unstable or disoriented” alternatives.

“The APC is not an ad hoc coalition held together by convenience. It is a tested and enduring political machine with the capacity to respond to the real needs of Nigerians,” he said.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman noted that the party is not only preparing for future elections but is also focused on strengthening governance, deepening democratic culture, and rebuilding public trust.

He acknowledged that governance comes with challenges but maintained that the APC remains committed to supporting reforms aimed at achieving long-term stability, economic growth, and national development.

Yilwatda also took a swipe at opposition parties, describing their internal crises as evidence of a lack of preparedness for national leadership.

“A party that cannot govern itself cannot govern Nigeria,” he said, citing persistent factional disputes, legal battles, and internal divisions within opposition platforms as signs of structural weakness.

He urged Nigerians to distinguish between “capacity and noise,” adding that the APC’s growing confidence is rooted in its expanding grassroots structures, internal reforms, and national acceptance.

On electoral competition, the APC chairman said the party believes in winning through popular support rather than technical disqualifications or legal maneuvers.

“Victory is more legitimate when it is freely given by the people. Our preference is to defeat opponents at the ballot box through persuasion, performance, and organisation,” he stated.

Addressing national security, Yilwatda described the ongoing mass trial of over 500 terrorism-related suspects as a significant step toward strengthening the rule of law and ensuring accountability.

He said the development reflects a broader strategy by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, combining military action, intelligence coordination, and judicial processes to tackle insecurity.

“What we are seeing is movement beyond arrests toward institutional accountability. It shows seriousness in confronting insecurity within the framework of the law,” he said.

On party affairs in Osun State, the APC chairman commended the state chapter for its growing organisational strength but warned against complacency ahead of future elections.

He called for a disciplined, data-driven, and well-coordinated campaign structure, stressing the need for unity, clear leadership, and effective conflict resolution mechanisms within the party.

“Osun is not just another election; it is a test of organisational discipline and a rehearsal ground for 2027,” he noted.

Yilwatda urged party members, stakeholders, and support groups to prioritise collective success over personal ambition, warning that internal divisions could undermine electoral prospects.

He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to national development, stating that the party would continue to support policies that promote security, economic recovery, democratic legitimacy, and institutional stability.

“Nigeria needs steadiness, structure, courage, and capacity. The APC represents that responsibility. We are prepared, tested, and committed to doing the hard work required to move this country forward,” he added.