The newly appointed Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has made a bold declaration regarding Nigeria's political landscape, stating that "there are no opposition parties in the country."
Yilwatda made this statement on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' program, shortly after his emergence as the party's National Chairman. His comments appeared to downplay the relevance of major opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
"There is no opposition for now," Yilwatda stated confidently during the interview. The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs further justified his position by pointing to the opposition parties' performance in recent off-season governorship elections.
According to Yilwatda, opposition parties have consistently failed to make significant impacts in gubernatorial contests held in Edo, Ondo, Kogi, and Imo states following the 2023 general elections. This track record, he suggested, demonstrates their diminishing influence in Nigeria's political sphere.
The APC Chairman's comments come at a time when political realignments are occurring across the country in preparation for future electoral contests. Yilwatda has reportedly vowed to bring more governors into the APC fold, further strengthening the ruling party's position.
Political analysts note that Yilwatda's dismissal of opposition forces could be strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, though Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has recently promised that opposition parties would give APC "a big fight" in that contest.
In related developments, Yilwatda has described his appointment as "a burden," suggesting awareness of the responsibilities that come with leading Nigeria's ruling party. There have also been speculations about potential political realignments, including rumors regarding former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso possibly joining the APC.
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly urged the new APC chairman and governors to focus on reforms, noting that "Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots" despite the party's electoral successes.
Stay updated with the latest political developments by following BenriNews on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
