The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that the party’s ongoing nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections are the most competitive political contests ever witnessed in Nigeria’s democratic history. Yilwatda made the assertion on Wednesday evening while speaking with journalists outside the Ikoyi residence of President Bola Tinubu, where he had gone to brief the President on developments surrounding the primaries and obtain direction on the next phase of the process.
According to the APC national chairman, the large number of aspirants contesting for various elective positions across the country reflects the growing popularity, acceptance and grassroots penetration of the ruling party. He explained that the intense competition being witnessed within the APC demonstrates that many Nigerians now see the party as the primary platform for political participation and governance. “The assessment is very simple. You can see how competitive our party has turned out to be.
In just simple demand and supply, we have a few positions, and we have thousands of people who have come to vie for these positions across the country, the most competitive ever in the history of Nigeria,” he said. Yilwatda stated that the overwhelming interest shown by aspirants seeking tickets for governorship, National Assembly, state assembly and other elective offices was evidence that the APC has expanded its influence into virtually every community across the federation.
He added that the high level of participation also reflects confidence among party members in the internal democratic processes being implemented by the leadership of the party. According to him, the APC leadership remains committed to conducting transparent, credible and peaceful primaries capable of producing candidates acceptable to both party members and the wider electorate.
The chairman acknowledged that highly competitive primaries often come with political tensions and disagreements but maintained that such challenges are natural in democratic systems where many qualified individuals seek limited positions.
He noted that the responsibility of the party leadership is to ensure fairness, discipline and unity throughout the exercise while preserving the integrity of the process. Yilwatda further disclosed that his meeting with President Tinubu focused on reviewing the conduct of the primaries across states, assessing emerging concerns and discussing strategies for maintaining cohesion within the party after the contests.
He said the President reiterated the importance of internal democracy, party unity and respect for established rules during the selection of candidates. The APC chairman stressed that the party’s strength lies not only in electoral victories but also in its ability to accommodate diverse political interests and maintain organisational stability despite intense competition. According to him, the ruling party remains focused on strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections while consolidating support across all geopolitical zones.
Political observers say the APC primaries have attracted unusual attention due to the large number of serving lawmakers, former governors, ministers, political appointees and new entrants seeking tickets under the ruling party’s platform. In many states, the contests have reportedly triggered alignments and negotiations among influential political blocs, with aspirants intensifying consultations and grassroots mobilisation efforts.
Analysts believe the competitiveness of the primaries reflects the strategic importance of the 2027 elections, particularly as politicians position themselves early for what is expected to be another fiercely contested national poll. The ruling party has also witnessed increasing interest from politicians defecting from opposition parties, a development many believe has contributed to the crowded nature of the ongoing primaries.
Supporters of the APC leadership argue that the intense participation demonstrates the party’s dominance in Nigeria’s political landscape and confidence in its chances ahead of the next elections. However, critics have warned that highly contested primaries could also generate internal disputes capable of threatening party unity if not properly managed. Yilwatda, however, expressed confidence that the APC would emerge stronger from the process, insisting that healthy competition is a sign of political vitality rather than weakness.
He maintained that the party leadership was already engaging stakeholders across the country to ensure reconciliation where necessary and prevent post-primary grievances from escalating into major divisions. The chairman also praised party members for their enthusiasm and commitment during the primaries, describing the exercise as a reflection of democratic participation at the grassroots level.
The source reports that the coming weeks will be critical for the APC as it works to balance competing interests, manage internal expectations and maintain unity among aspirants and supporters following the conclusion of the nomination processes.
Despite the challenges associated with large-scale primaries, party leaders insist that the process will ultimately strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections and reinforce its claim as Nigeria’s largest political organisation.
