The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern warning to Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the newly elected national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), cautioning him specifically against exploiting his former role as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner to manipulate upcoming elections in favor of the ruling party.
ADC spokesperson Bola Abdullahi underscored the seriousness of Yilwatda's previous position, stating that it endowed him with extensive knowledge of electoral processes that should be used to uphold electoral integrity rather than to rig elections. The opposition party reminded Yilwatda of the ethical responsibilities attaching to his insider knowledge of INEC operations, urging him not to compromise the sanctity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The ADC also criticized the APC and President Bola Tinubu for holding the party's National Executive Committee meeting at the Aso Villa, Nigeria’s seat of government funded by taxpayers, describing this as a blurring of the lines between party and state.
Further, ADC called on Yilwatda to ensure that under his leadership, opposition parties can operate freely without fear or intimidation, emphasizing that political criticism and disagreement are vital elements of democracy.
This caution comes just a day after Professor Yilwatda, who is simultaneously Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, was unanimously elected APC national chairman to replace Abdullahi Ganduje. Yilwatda had served as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State from 2017 to 2021 and was the APC gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State in 2023.
The airing of these concerns reflects ongoing tensions around electoral fairness and party-state relations in Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 elections approach.
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