Yilwatda Excites ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has hailed Prof Nentawe Yilwatda’s emergence as the new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ADC, in a congratulatory message to the new APC chair, expressed excitement at Prof
Yilwatda’s profile, saying his leadership will promote core values of participatory democracy.
Urging the new APC Chairman to “please stay in your lane,” the opposition coalition said Nigeria
only needs party leaders who respect other parties and value democracy.
“The ADC congratulates Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on his recent appointment as the fourth chairman of the APC in two years.
“His emergence presents yet another opportunity for the ruling party to embrace the core values of participatory democracy,” a statement on Friday by the spokesman of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi said.
The ADC expressed cautious optimism that the latest change in the APC leadership might come with a shift in both substance and style, especially regarding how the ruling party conducts its affairs and engages with the opposition.
“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.
“We expect that under the stewardship of the new chairman, the APC and the federal government it controls, will start to show greater tolerance for opposition voices and alternative viewpoints with the understanding that in a democracy, disagreement is not sabotage, and criticism is not subversion.
“We hope Professor Yilwatda will channel his high education and experience towards improving the democratic credentials of his party and its government, which, so far, has been marked by intolerance and what has often appeared like deliberate plan to eliminate all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on the country,” the party stated.
The ADC however, said it was dismayed that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, from which Prof Yilwatda emerged, was held within the confines of the State House.
The opposition coalition reminded the administration of the status of the State House as a public institution, funded by the Nigerian people and not a party office or private residence.
The ADC pointed out that the decision of the ruling party to host its party meeting at the seat of government was an aberration.
It added that the development underlined how far the administration has strayed from the foundational norms of democratic accountability.
The ADC urged Prof Yilwatda to guide his party towards respecting the line, which it said has been dangerously blurred between party and state.
“Furthermore, we take note of Professor Yilwatda’s previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). This is no small credential. It comes with a deep understanding of electoral ethics, neutrality, and public trust.
“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, as has often been the case under the APC’s watch.
“In closing, we pray for Professor Yilwatda that may his tenure be longer than those of his predecessors and his exit more honourable.”
Yilwatda Excites ADC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
