ADC slams APC for holding NEC meeting at state house, cautions new chairman Yilwatda
Bolaji Abdullahi, interim national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has faulted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for holding its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.
The meeting, which led to the emergence of Nentawe Yilwatda, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, as the new APC national chairman, was presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Banquet Hall of the Villa.
In a statement issued on Friday, Abdullahi described the move as “an aberration,” warning that using a publicly funded national asset for a party affair undermines democratic accountability.
“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 a deliberate plan to eliminate all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on the country,” he said.
“This is why we must register our dismay that the very National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that brought Professor Yilwatda into office was held within the confines of the State House — a public institution, funded by the Nigerian people, not a party office or private residence.”
Abdullahi added that the ruling party’s decision to host its NEC at the seat of power “is an aberration that underlines how far this government has strayed from the foundational norms of democratic accountability.”
He called on the new APC chairman to work toward restoring respect for the boundaries between party and state.
The ADC spokesman also raised concerns about Yilwatda’s past role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), urging him to resist the temptation to tilt the electoral field in the APC’s favour.
“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.”
Abdullahi concluded by wishing the new chairman well and hoping his tenure will be longer and more honourable than that of his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down in June.
