The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has extended its congratulations to Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on his appointment as the fourth Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in just two years, urging the ruling party to embrace a more democratic and inclusive approach under his leadership.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the ADC expressed cautious optimism that Yilwatda’s emergence could mark a shift in the APC’s internal governance and political engagement with opposition parties.
“While we understand that leadership transitions are routine, 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 statement read.
The ADC called on the new APC Chairman to prioritize political tolerance and respect for democratic dissent, stressing that under his stewardship, the ruling party should understand that “in a democracy, disagreement is not sabotage, and criticism is not subversion.”
The opposition party also criticized the location of the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which brought Yilwatda into office, saying it was “held within the confines of the State House — a public institution, funded by the Nigerian people, not a party office or private residence.” The ADC described this as an “aberration” and urged Professor Yilwatda to help re-establish clear boundaries between party and state.
Acknowledging Yilwatda’s background as a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the ADC said this role carries “a deep understanding of electoral ethics, neutrality, and public trust.” The party urged him to apply this experience towards upholding democratic integrity, rather than leveraging it for political advantage.
“We sincerely hope he will draw on this experience to promote the sanctity of our electoral processes, rather than using insider knowledge to game the system in favour of his party,” the statement noted.
In conclusion, the ADC offered a measured blessing:
“We pray for Professor Yilwatda that may his tenure be longer than those of his predecessors and his exit more honourable.”
The appointment of Professor Yilwatda comes at a critical moment for the APC, which has faced internal tensions, frequent leadership changes, and mounting scrutiny from opposition parties and civil society organizations over governance standards and democratic accountability.
Credit: @BolajiADC via x.com.
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