The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that political appointments after the 2027 general elections will be reserved strictly for party loyalists, excluding technocrats or professionals who are not active members of the ruling party.
Yilwatda made the statement during a party mobilisation event in Abuja, where APC leaders and supporters gathered as part of early preparations ahead of the 2027 polls. His remarks, later circulated widely on social media, have since generated intense political debate.
According to the APC chairman, governance is fundamentally political and those entrusted with political offices must be individuals who participated in party activities, campaigned for the party, and helped secure electoral victory. He argued that elections are not won by technocrats working quietly in offices but by party members who engage voters, mobilise at the grassroots, and defend party policies in the public space.
Yilwatda stressed that party loyalty would become a key criterion for future appointments, insisting that individuals who refuse to formally align with the APC should not expect to benefit from political positions under an APC-led government after 2027. He urged professionals interested in public office to join the party and contribute openly to its political objectives rather than remain politically neutral.
The APC chairman also highlighted the strategic importance of strong party structures, particularly in regions with high voter turnout, noting that sustained mobilisation and visible commitment from appointees were necessary to consolidate the party’s electoral base ahead of the next general election.
His comments have drawn mixed reactions across political circles. Supporters within the APC say the position reinforces discipline and rewards loyalty among party members who invest time and resources in electioneering. However, critics argue that excluding non-party technocrats could undermine merit-based governance and limit access to professional expertise in government.
Political analysts note that the statement may also raise questions about the future of non-APC figures currently serving in the administration, as well as the broader balance between party politics and technocratic competence in Nigeria’s democratic system.
As preparations for 2027 intensify, Yilwatda’s declaration signals a hardening of the APC’s stance on party loyalty, setting the tone for internal mobilisation and potentially reshaping expectations around political appointments in the coming election cycle.
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