Defection of 17 Lawmakers to NDC Not a Threat — Yilwatda

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has downplayed the recent defection of 17 lawmakers to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, describing the development as politically insignificant.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday after inspecting the ongoing sale and submission of nomination and expression of interest forms, Yilwatda said the number of defectors was too small to pose any real challenge to the ruling party.

According to him, the figures represent only a fraction of the National Assembly and do not warrant concern.

“You said 17 lawmakers out of 459 is less than five per cent. Should I be worried about that? I am not worried,” he said.

He argued that the movement had no bearing on the APC, noting that those involved were defecting within opposition ranks rather than crossing into the ruling party.

“None of those defecting is from our party. They are fishing from the same pond. If someone moves from one opposition platform to another, how does that affect us? It doesn’t,” he added.

The APC chairman also took a swipe at opposition groups, accusing them of internal divisions and public disagreements that, he said, have weakened their cohesion ahead of the next election cycle.

“From what Nigerians are seeing, the contest is not APC versus the opposition. It is opposition versus opposition. They are busy attacking themselves,” he said.

Yilwatda made the remarks at the venue for the submission of nomination forms, where he described the turnout of aspirants as a sign of the party’s strength and nationwide acceptance.

“This place is a beehive of activity. People are coming in from all geopolitical zones to submit their forms. That tells you about the level of acceptance we enjoy,” he said.

He added that while the party had extended the deadline for form collection, it remained guided by timelines set by the Electoral Act to avoid legal complications ahead of the primaries.

The APC chairman further pointed to what he described as the party’s internal democratic culture, noting that several aspirants were still contesting positions across all levels, including the presidency.

Even with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking re-election, Yilwatda said the party had not closed its doors to challengers.

“We have allowed competition at all levels. Governors, senators, even principal officers are being challenged. That is democracy,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the APC would remain united and formidable as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.