Yilwatda Matches Words with Action, Concludes APC Primaries Without Rancour
By Sarah Kitka
When the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, emerged at the party’s national convention, he made a clear promise to party faithful across the country– to provide transparent leadership, restore internal confidence, and ensure unity within the governing party.
Months after assuming office, many party stakeholders believe the APC chairman has begun translating those promises into action, particularly with the successful conduct of the party’s primaries across several states without the widespread crises and rancour often associated with internal party contests.
Analysts and party loyalists have described the conduct of APC primaries as one of the most organised internal electoral exercises in recent years, noting that despite intense competition among aspirants, the process largely remained peaceful, coordinated, and acceptable to party members.
From governorship to state assembly primaries, the APC leadership under Yilwatda maintained what many stakeholders described as a firm but inclusive approach, ensuring that aggrieved members were engaged while party structures across the states were carried along.
Party insiders say the APC National Chairman relied heavily on consultation, consensus-building, and constant communication with governors, lawmakers, elders, youth groups, and other blocs within the party to minimise conflicts before, during, and after the exercises.
Unlike previous election cycles where allegations of imposition, parallel primaries, and litigation dominated headlines, the just-concluded APC primaries recorded fewer disputes, a development many attribute to Yilwatda’s leadership style and insistence on internal discipline.
Analysts also point to the chairman’s ability to maintain cordial relationships with critical stakeholders across geopolitical zones as a major factor behind the relative peace witnessed during the exercise. Since taking over the leadership of the party, Yilwatda has continued to engage party leaders at different levels, encouraging reconciliation and unity ahead of future electoral contests.
His emergence at the convention itself was seen by many party members as a bridge-building moment for the APC, especially at a time when the ruling party required stability and strategic coordination following internal disagreements in some chapters.
Throughout the primaries, the APC leadership repeatedly emphasised fairness, transparency, and adherence to the party constitution, while appeal committees were promptly constituted to address complaints from dissatisfied aspirants.
Observers note that the absence of major disruptions in many states has strengthened confidence in the party’s internal democratic process and positioned the APC ahead of future political engagements.
For many supporters, the successful conclusion of the primaries without rancour is being viewed as an early test of leadership for Yilwatda, one they believe he has passed by matching his words with decisive action.
As preparations gradually shift toward the general elections, party faithful say sustaining unity and post-primary reconciliation will remain critical, but they insist the peaceful conduct of the primaries has already sent a strong signal about the direction of the APC under its current national leadership
