Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that internal crises in opposition parties demonstrate they are not ready to govern Nigeria.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Abimbola Tooki, his special adviser on media and communications strategy, Yilwatda argued that political platforms embroiled in internal disputes cannot be entrusted with national leadership.
“A party that cannot govern itself cannot govern Nigeria,” he said. “If a political platform is constantly trapped in self-inflicted crisis, consumed by internal sabotage, and weakened by poor management, it simply has no business asking Nigerians for the mandate to lead this country.”
Yilwatda described the APC as a tested and durable political platform capable of managing Nigeria’s complex governance challenges.
“The All Progressives Congress is not an ad hoc coalition held together by convenience,” he said. “It is a tested and enduring political machine, built on structure, spread, experience, and the capacity to respond to the real needs of Nigerians. We are the only party with the institutional strength and national reach to carry the weight of both the present and the future of this country.”
He stressed that the party remains focused on strengthening governance, deepening democratic culture, and rebuilding public trust, acknowledging that effective governance requires political courage and patience.
“Victory is sweeter when it is earned. It is more legitimate when it is freely given by the people,” Yilwatda said. “As a party, we believe that the strongest mandate is one secured through persuasion, performance, organisation and political engagement.”
Highlighting the APC’s expanding national structures and growing acceptance, Yilwatda cited these as signs of confidence in the party.
On security, he noted that the federal government’s ongoing mass trial of terrorism suspects demonstrates a commitment to addressing insecurity through the rule of law.
“What we are seeing is movement beyond arrests toward institutional accountability. It shows that the Tinubu administration is not only fighting insecurity on the battlefield but also in the courtroom, in the intelligence space, and within the wider framework of state institutions,” he said, adding that the administration is pursuing a comprehensive security strategy combining military operations, intelligence coordination, and judicial processes.
Turning to party affairs in Osun State, Yilwatda described the state election as a critical political test ahead of 2027.
“Osun is not just another state election. It is a test of strength, a battle of perception, a measure of organisational discipline, and an important rehearsal ground for 2027,” he said, urging party members to maintain unity and discipline.
Concluding, Yilwatda reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to policies promoting security, economic recovery, and national progress.
“Nigeria needs steadiness, structure, courage, and capacity. The APC represents that responsibility. We are not perfect, but we are prepared, we are tested, and we are committed to doing the hard work required to move this country forward.”
