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By Tracy Moses
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on Thursday in Abuja described the party’s recent National Convention as historic, noting that it was conducted without a single litigation, a first in the party’s history.
Yilwatda made the remark shortly after he and other newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) received their certificates of return, describing the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and devoid of the usual internal wrangling.
“This convention will go down in history as one without a single litigation. It was almost as if we were at a carnival rather than a convention. The internal wrangling that used to trail such exercises was completely absent,” he said.
He commended the Convention Planning Committee for what he described as an excellent, elegant, and well-organised outing, adding that the exercise has set a new benchmark for political party conventions in Nigeria.
According to him, the seamless process reflects the growing maturity of the party’s internal democratic structures and its commitment to unity and discipline.
The APC chairman also assured party members and Nigerians that the new leadership would prioritise strengthening internal democracy, expanding membership, and ensuring electoral success at all levels.
“We will deepen democracy within the party and ensure stability. We will continue to expand the party by reaching out, engaging, and mobilising more Nigerians. Our goal is to present clear policies, credible candidates, and a clear direction for the country,” he stated.
Yilwatda further pledged that the NWC would work tirelessly to secure victories for the party in future elections, including governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly polls.
“Our responsibility is to strengthen democracy and build confidence in the political process. We will ensure that the APC remains the platform of choice for Nigerians by delivering credible elections and strengthening democratic institutions,” he added.
He emphasised the need for strong synergy between the party structure at the national, state, and federal levels, noting that unity of purpose would be key to achieving the party’s objectives.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Convention Central Coordination Committee, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, who presented the certificates of return to the NWC members, urged them to uphold integrity and resist undue pressure, particularly during party primaries.
“I wish you God’s guidance, protection, and the wisdom to carry out your responsibilities successfully. The National Working Committee will come under intense pressure during primaries. I urge you to resist temptation and always do what is right for the party and the country,” Masari said.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the new leadership to outperform previous committees, stressing the need for continuous improvement in party administration and governance.
“We have done our job, and the world has seen it. We have delivered a credible process and issued certificates to the new leadership. We expect a renewed and motivated NWC that will build on past achievements and take the party to greater heights,” he added.
Masari further noted that progress within the party and the country depends on a collective commitment to improvement, expressing optimism that the new leadership would advance the APC’s role in national development.