The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, against leveraging his former role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to manipulate the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.
While extending congratulations on his appointment, marking the APC’s fourth national chairmanship change in just two years, the ADC urged Professor Yilwatda to uphold democratic values, respect institutional boundaries, and maintain electoral neutrality.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said, “We take note of Professor Yilwatda’s previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). This is no small credential. It comes with a deep understanding of electoral ethics, neutrality, and public trust. We sincerely hope he will draw on this experience to promote the sanctity of our electoral processes, rather than using insider knowledge to game (manipulate) the system in favour of his party, as has often been the case under the APC’s watch.”
The party also condemned the APC for holding the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that confirmed Yilwatda’s appointment within the premises of the State House, describing it as a dangerous erosion of democratic boundaries.
“The decision of the ruling party to host its party meeting at the seat of government is an aberration that underlines how far this government has strayed from the foundational norms of democratic accountability,” the statement read.
According to the ADC, Yilwatda’s appointment should serve as a turning point for the APC, steering it away from a legacy marked by “propaganda, impunity, and intolerance.”
“We are hopeful that this particular appointment might trigger a shift in tone, temperament, and trajectory for a party that has too often equated governance with propaganda, and power with impunity.”
The ADC concluded with a pointed prayer for the new APC chairman.
“We pray for Professor Yilwatda that may his tenure be longer than those of his predecessors and his exit more honourable.”
