Don’t surrender party structures to governors APC chieftain tells Yilwatda
A senior chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a sharp warning to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and its leadership, urging them not to surrender control of party structures to incumbent governors ahead of critical ward, local government and state congresses. The admonition came from Yekini Nabena, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, who says that allowing governors to dominate party organs at all levels could trigger an internal crisis and erode grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections. 
Nabena’s comments were directed at the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the NWC, which he accused of planning to cede influence over party structures to governors rather than allowing open, competitive processes involving grassroots members. He warned that such a move risks sidelining ordinary party members and could lead to an internal rift that may weaken the APC’s standing nationwide. 
Party Structures and Why It Matters
In Nigeria’s political parties, party structures — from wards to local government and state levels — are crucial for mobilising voters, organising campaigns and resolving disputes. Control over these structures often influences candidate selection, political patronage and grassroots engagement. The upcoming APC congresses are expected to shape the party’s hierarchy going into the 2027 elections, making transparent and credible processes critical for unity and performance. Don’t surrender party structures to governors APC chieftain tells Yilwatda
Nabena said the reported plan to allow governors to effectively determine who occupies key party positions could “breed resentment, deprive real party men and women, and eventually chase away the few remaining masses in the APC,” arguing that this would be counterproductive to the party’s prospects. 
The chieftain expressed particular concern that word was circulating within the national secretariat that nomination forms for party offices were being routed through governors’ offices instead of being made available widely and transparently to all aspirants. “All the nomination forms are being delivered to the Governors — who will eventually determine who becomes what by selection,” he said, warning that this would lead to greater internal disputes and possible litigation. 
Nabena’s Warning: Internal Crisis or Fresh Start?
In his appeal, Nabena said that the 2027 elections would be “about the masses against the few people in the corridors of power,” insisting that ordinary members must be carried along in leadership decisions to ensure sustained support for the party. 
He also criticised the composition of the current NWC, observing that many members did not contest their positions but were appointed, which he believes undermines the democratic ethos the party should model. “More than half of the entire NWC didn’t go through the election. They were appointed. So, what do you expect?” he asked rhetorically. 
To avoid “friction and litigation across the states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Nabena called on the NWC to ensure that nomination forms are made available to all aspirants at every level — a move he says is necessary to shore up confidence and prevent internal disputes. 
https://ogelenews.ng/apc-chieftain-warns-yilwatda-dont-surrender-party-s…
Appeal to Tinubu and APC Elders
Nabena did not stop at appealing to the party leadership. He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and forestall what he described as a looming internal implosion. He argued that the APC’s mass membership — previously reported to number some 40 million — has dwindled to around 10 million in the current electronic registration exercise, a trend he says calls for greater caution and inclusiveness in how party structures are managed. 
Since taking over the national chairmanship, Professor Yilwatda has emphasised inclusive politics and grassroots engagement. He has repeatedly maintained that the APC’s growth is driven by support at the local level rather than by defections or top-down control, and that party structures should empower ordinary members while respecting constitutional guidelines.  However, Nabena believes that recent moves could send the wrong signal and damage internal cohesion if not corrected in time.
Why Governors Matter — And Why Control Raises Tension
The APC leadership has signalled that state governors — especially those who defected from other parties or recently aligned with the APC — will play a role in steering party affairs at the state level. Yilwatda himself has said that governors are leaders of the APC in their respective states and should be part of the consultative process, a stance he has reiterated publicly. 
That position reflects the reality that governors often wield considerable influence in party politics, partly due to their control of resources, patronage networks and access to state civil service and local apparatus. But Nabena’s warning underscores a fear that conflating state power with party control could weaken internal democracy, especially ahead of pivotal congresses. 
The Stakes for APC Ahead of 2027
As the APC prepares for nationwide congresses — starting at the ward level — the debate over control of party structures has stirred wider concerns about inclusivity, internal democracy and the ability of the ruling party to manage diverse interests without alienating ordinary members.
Political analysts say that a ruling party perceived to be overly influenced by sitting governors may lose traction with grassroots supporters, especially in areas where party structures have operated independently and traditionally anchored local engagement. A strong grassroots network is often credited with mobilising voters, resolving disputes ahead of elections and maintaining party cohesion across regions. 
Nabena’s warning highlights these risks at a critical moment when party unity and grassroots confidence could determine the APC’s fortunes in the 2027 polls.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/apc-congresses-tensions-rise-over-control-of-party-structures
Don’t surrender party structures to governors APC chieftain tells Yilwatda
