We Have A Sitting President, Yet People Are Buying Forms to Contest Against Him — APC Chairman

 

 

 

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the party’s internal democratic process, saying the fact that aspirants are openly purchasing presidential nomination forms despite having a sitting President demonstrates the APC’s commitment to open competition.

 

Yilwatda made the remarks on Wednesday during an inspection of activities at Treasure Hotel in Abuja, where aspirants have been submitting their expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

According to him, the large turnout of aspirants and supporters at the venue reflects the growing popularity and nationwide acceptance of the ruling party.

 

“As you can see, this place is a beehive of activities, and it shows the acceptance of our party across the country,” he said. “People are here in their numbers trying to submit their forms, and we are happy that we are piloting a party that is accepted from the grassroots.”

 

The APC chairman said the level of organisation displayed by the party during the sale and submission process was unmatched in the country’s political landscape.

 

“You can’t see this level of organisation, logistics and preparation in any party in Nigeria; this can only be the APC,” he stated.

 

Yilwatda noted that despite extending the deadline for the collection of forms, party members and aspirants continued to troop to the venue in large numbers.

 

He added that the party had concluded arrangements to ensure a smooth screening exercise scheduled to begin on Friday, including measures to manage the crowds expected at the venue.

 

The APC chairman argued that the high number of aspirants seeking elective offices under the party’s platform was a sign of public confidence in the APC and its leadership.

 

He said the party’s internal contest remained open to all members, stressing that even top-ranking office holders were not shielded from competition.

 

“We opened up our party. People are not hiding forms—everyone is buying, including the presidential ticket,” Yilwatda said.

 

“We have a sitting President, yet people are buying forms to contest against him. We allowed it. Sitting governors are being challenged; senators are being challenged. Even the Senate President and the Speaker are being challenged. The level of democracy in APC is second to none.”

 

He also dismissed concerns over recent movements and disagreements within opposition parties, describing them as internal struggles that had no impact on the APC.

 

“We are not belittling the opposition, but what Nigerians are seeing today is opposition versus opposition,” he said.

 

“One group is accusing another of corruption, while others are saying some politicians cannot withstand competition and are looking for free tickets elsewhere.”

 

Yilwatda maintained that the APC remained united and focused ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that defections among opposition parties did not threaten the ruling party’s dominance.

 

The APC began the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, while the exercise officially closed on May 6.

 

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

 

INEC also fixed April 23 to May 30, 2026, for party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from the exercises.

 

Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.