The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has congratulated Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on his appointment as the new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but cautioned him against undermining democratic principles or blurring the lines between party and state.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Yilwatda’s emergence as the APC’s fourth chairman in just two years presents an opportunity for the ruling party to recommit to democratic values — if it chooses to.
“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,” the statement read.
The ADC stated that it expects the new APC chairman and the government he represents to show greater respect for dissenting views and to cease treating criticism as subversion.
It also raised concern over the venue of the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where Yilwatda was appointed, noting that it was held within the State House in Abuja — a public institution funded by taxpayers.
“The decision of the ruling party to host its party meeting at the seat of government is an aberration that underlines how far this government has strayed from the foundational norms of democratic accountability,” the ADC said.
The party urged Yilwatda to use his experience as a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to defend electoral integrity — not manipulate it in favour of the APC.
“This is no small credential. 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.
“May his tenure be longer than those of his predecessors — and his exit more honourable,” the statement concluded.
