National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has boasted that the ruling party was in pole.position to coast to victory in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists at the end of a three-day retreat in Maiduguri, on Saturday, the APC chairman said parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are merely going to be participating in the elections, rather than pose any threat to the APC
The retreat was an assembly of members of the National Working Committee (NWC), elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members, and state chairmen of the ruling party.
Yilwatda said APC’s electoral prospects remain formidable, referencing recent outcomes from five by-elections held across the nation in.
He said the ruling party emerged victorious in four of the contests, losing only one to the APM, not to the major opposition parties “often touted” in the media.
“We went to Ekiti and came first; the party that came second was the PDP, not the so-called opposition (ADC and NDC). We went to Osun and we became second, none of those political parties you claimed won even a councillorship.
“So if they can’t even win a councillorship, are we contesting against them? As far as I am concerned, they are participants in this election, not contesting with us. We are very confident that our party can win this election; we are prepared to win the 2027 election.”
Highlighting further electoral data, Yilwatda referenced off-cycle polls in Osun and legislative contests in the North, including Kano, Bauchi, and Gombe, where the APC recorded strong showings.
He argued that media narratives regarding opposition momentum do not align with realities on the ground.
“Even last week, we had a by-election in Adamawa, in Ganye local government, where Atiku comes from, and we won the election. We are very grounded, and I doubt if any party can challenge us,” he said.
Highlighting the resolutions arrived at during the retreat, Yilwatda said that the party leadership observed a moment of mourning, extending condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the tragic loss of 37 miners..
“We strongly believe that we produce some of the most credible candidates, most acceptable, and most prepared to serve the people of Nigeria,” Yilwatda remarked.
