2027: APC Chairman Says Only Party Loyalists Will Get Appointments

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that political appointments after the 2027 general elections will be strictly reserved for committed party members, stressing that governance and politics are inseparable.

Yilwatda made this declaration on Tuesday night in Abuja during an event titled “Renewed Hope Promise Kept 2027: Meet and Greet North-West Mobilisation,” organised by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo.

In a video clip from the gathering that surfaced online on Wednesday, the APC chairman insisted that individuals appointed into political offices must actively participate in party affairs and grassroots mobilisation.

He explained that electoral victory, not technical expertise, is the foundation of political power.

“We must constantly remind ourselves of what brought us to this point — votes. There is nothing like a technocratic vote. Once you accept a political appointment, you automatically become a politician,” Yilwatda said.

“As party chairman, I will firmly uphold the principle that anyone unwilling to join and work with the party should not be considered for appointment. If you prefer to remain a technocrat, then you should operate as a consultant,” he added.

Yilwatda further noted that government policies stem from campaign commitments and must be actively defended, explained, and promoted by those tasked with implementing them. He warned that disconnecting governance from political mobilisation could weaken the party’s structure and future electoral prospects.

“Government policies represent campaign promises. Those implementing them must champion and protect these policies. Appointees cannot detach themselves from the party’s objectives,” he stated.

He cautioned that over-reliance on technocrats who are not politically engaged could cost the party future victories.

“Once you hold a political appointment, you are a politician. If appointees choose to act solely as technocrats, the party risks losing power,” Yilwatda warned.

Describing the North-West region as the backbone of the APC’s electoral success, he said the zone remains crucial ahead of the 2027 polls, accounting for roughly 20 per cent of the party’s total membership nationwide.

He revealed that 48 per cent of registered APC members in the North-West are between the ages of 18 and 35, indicating strong youth involvement, while those aged 50 and above constitute only 17 per cent of the region’s party base.

Also addressing the gathering, the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala-Usman, said the North-West delivered the highest number of votes for the APC during the 2023 general elections and must remain united to sustain that dominance in 2027.

“The North-West is our vote stronghold, and we must preserve that advantage. It is unacceptable for some to do the hard work of winning elections while others simply show up to collect appointments and hide behind the label of technocrats,” she said.

Bala-Usman also warned that political appointees who fail to actively support and mobilise for the party would not be tolerated.

“Once you are appointed into political office, you must be visible, active, and fully committed to promoting the party,” she added.