Fresh tensions may be emerging within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that a group of governors elected on the party’s platform are working to remove the national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to party sources, governors from different regions of the country are reportedly advocating for a change in leadership, with plans to install a new chairman who would oversee the party’s preparations and participation in the upcoming elections.
Insiders claim the disagreement stems from the recently concluded National Assembly primaries, where some governors were dissatisfied with the chairman’s handling of the process. The governors are said to have opposed Yilwatda’s position that all primary election results must be submitted to the National Working Committee (NWC) for verification and final ratification before winners are officially announced.
Sources within the party alleged that some state leaders preferred the announcement of results at the state level and were unhappy with the chairman’s insistence on following established party procedures.
Responding to the allegations, Yilwatda, through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, rejected claims of any conflict between him and the governors. He maintained that all decisions relating to the primaries were reached collectively by relevant stakeholders within the party.
The chairman also defended the process adopted during the primaries, explaining that while results could be collated at local government and state levels, only the National Working Committee possesses the authority to conduct final verification and formally declare winners after considering any appeals submitted by aspirants.
Party insiders further claimed that disagreements between some governors and the national chairman began before the primaries. According to the sources, Yilwatda reportedly resisted attempts to limit the sale of nomination forms to selected aspirants and insisted that every qualified party member should have equal access to participate in the process.
There were also allegations that the chairman opposed efforts to allow governors solely determine the composition of election committees and appeal panels assigned to their states. Supporters of the chairman argue that these decisions were aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness throughout the primary elections.
Sources at the party’s national secretariat claimed that some governors now view Yilwatda as an obstacle to their political interests and are allegedly exploring ways to prevent him from leading the party into the 2027 elections.
However, supporters of the chairman believe any attempt to remove him may face significant challenges, particularly given perceptions within the party that he enjoys the confidence of President Bola Tinubu.
Prof. Yilwatda assumed office as APC national chairman after the resignation of his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in June 2025. Since then, he has consistently maintained that party guidelines and internal democratic processes must be respected in all political activities.
Despite the growing speculation, APC officials insist there is no crisis within the party and that all actions taken during the primaries were in line with agreed procedures and constitutional provisions.
