PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, yesterday, took a swipe at the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress, ADC, describing it as a “coalition of confusion.”
Speaking at the 14th meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, where Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda emerged as the party’s new national chairman, Tinubu said it is not a bad idea to abandon a sinking ship.
Specifically, Tinubu said: “It’s not a bad idea to abandon a sinking ship and be absent from a coalition of confusion.”
The ADC has recently gained support from top opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
The president’s taunt elicited immediate response from the opposition. Those who criticized him include the ADC, Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, and Mr. Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Tinubu asks APC governors to reduce hardship
President Tinubu, meanwhile, charged APC governors at the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to redouble their commitment to development, security, and grassroots mobilisation, stressing the imperative of leaving behind a legacy of progressive governance.
The President lamented the level of hardship in rural communities despite the quantum of money available to state governors and advised them to ‘wet the grass’.
The President, who also announced plans to establish a befitting national secretariat for the party in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said: “We should leave a legacy of development. 23 governors are here to help identify land with the FCT Minister. We should form a committee of progressive governors to secure a suitable location for the new secretariat. I believe, without hesitation, the motion is carried.”
Confidence vote
Tinubu, who received a renewed vote of confidence from party leaders at the meeting, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms, stating that Nigeria’s financial trajectory is already beginning to stabilise.
“It’s not easy to navigate stormy economic waters. But now that the economy is stabilising, there is no other direction for this country except upward. I can assure you of that,” he said.
On security, Tinubu reported significant progress in tackling terrorism and banditry, noting that “thousands of terrorists and bandits have been neutralised,” but warned against complacency.
“We must remain vigilant and continue expanding investment in security infrastructure and personnel. That is the only path to lasting peace,” he stated.
He also emphasised the administration’s drive towards food sovereignty and urged governors to key into ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting local food production and reducing import dependence.
“We are working hard to ensure food sovereignty. Those working with me will continue to push this agenda. We must engage all stakeholders to meet our national objectives,” he added.
Welcomes Oborevwhori, Eno, fetes Okpebholo
In a symbolic show of unity, Tinubu welcomed Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, who defected from the PDP recently and described their presence as a gesture of national solidarity.
“Our doors remain open,” the President said.
He congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo on the Supreme Court verdict affirming his victory in Edo State and commended the recent commissioning of the “Edo Line” transport initiative.
Noting persistent complaints from citizens, Tinubu charged APC governors to intensify grassroots engagement and lead efforts to deliver tangible change.
“Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots. You must wet the grass more. Lead the charge in delivering progressive change. We need more zonal-level engagements to boost mobilisation and unity,” he said.
He thanked the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for his services, noting that he gave the former Kano governor an assignment to establish a progressive institute and he delivered.
“I gave him an assignment on the formation of a progressive institute, the National Secretary will work with the chairman to revitalize it and we can still take him (Ganduje) as a consultant to work with the new chairman to do that,” he said.
Tinubu also explained that the shift in dates of states, Local Governments and Wards congresses to December is to allow for the accommodation of more people who are being expected to join the party soon.
How Yilwatda emerged as chairman
Earlier, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, applauded President Tinubu’s transformative leadership and called for internal reforms to reposition the APC.
Uzodimma paid tribute to outgoing National Chairman, Dr Ganduje, for his service to the party and country, and called for a swift nomination of a unifying successor.
To that end, he moved a motion for NEC to return the office of APC National Chairman to the North Central zone from the North-East; nominate and elect Prof. Yilwatda from Plateau State (North Central) as National Chairman; reassign Prof. AbdulKarim Kana, current National Legal Adviser from Nasarawa State (North-Central), as Deputy National Secretary; nominate Mr. Murtala from Katsina State (North West) as the new National Legal Adviser.
Uzodimma also moved that the tenure of ward and local government executives be extended till December 31, 2025, to ensure continuity amidst ongoing political activities.
His motion, seconded by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, received wide support from the NEC.
Responding, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s 2023 Plateau State governorship candidate, and current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, said: “Let me express my profound gratitude to God and to the leadership of the party, from the President to the governors, National Assembly members and NEC, for entrusting me with this great responsibility.”
Describing his emergence as “humbling,” Yilwatda likened the APC to a vehicle, and party members as its mechanics, saying, “Together, we will fix it and drive it to our desired destination.”
He pledged to build an inclusive leadership anchored on cooperation, trust, and collective ownership of the party’s goals.
“I will work with everyone in the party, unite, build and expand the APC. You are the focus, the building blocks, and the support I need to move this vehicle forward,” he said.
Yilwatda expressed confidence that the APC, under Tinubu’s leadership, will deliver on the mandate entrusted to it by millions of Nigerians.
2027 a done deal —YilwaTda
Yilwatda on assuming the reins of the party, declared that the 2027 general election is a done deal for the ruling party.
At a meeting with fellow members of the National Working Committee, NWC, at the national secretariat, he also thanked the media for their effective coverage of the party and the Tinubu administration.
He said: “Our doors are open to welcome members. We look forward to having more governors, more senators, more national assembly members, more local government chairmen and more Nigerians in our party.”
Yilwatda’s profile
“Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State, Professor Yilwatda has a distinguished academic career.
He holds a first degree from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, a master’s degree from ATBU, Bauchi, and a doctorate in Electronic and Computer Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He served for over 26 years at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he was the pioneer Director of ICT leading significant digital reforms.
Beyond academia, Professor Yilwatda has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s digital transformation, consulting for multinational organizations and global development partners like the European Union, UNICEF, the World Bank, and TECHVILE USA. His expertise in merging technology with governance has made him a sought-after expert in digital innovation and policy development.
Senator Lalong, Obasa fete Yilwatda
The new APC chairman, got loads of salutations on his emergence, yesterday. Among those who feted him and expressed hope that he would turn the fortunes of APC around were Senator Simon Lalong and Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Senator Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Makut Simon Macham, described the emergence of Yilwatda as a source of great joy and inspiration because he brings on board fresh leadership experience and capacity to pilot the affairs of the biggest political party in Africa.
On his part, Speaker Obasa urged Yilwatda to enthrone a stronger and more virile party that will be indomitable in the 2027 polls.
Ganduje thanks Tinubu for Yilwatda’s appointment
Meanwhile, immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Ganduje, has hailed President Tinubu’s appointment of Prof. Yilwatda as new national chairman of the party.
Ganduje in a statement described the emergence of Yilwatda as strategic, noting that it comes at a critical period in the life of the party.
The former Kano governor also expressed profound confidence in the capacity, intellect, maturity and administrative competence of the new chairman to move the party forward
Osinbajo speaks on Buhari’s legacy
He added that as a convicted and converted democrat, Buhari “showed a commitment to the rule of law. He ran for office thrice and lost and pursued his rights in the courts, losing all three times. It was only at the fourth time that he won. He demonstrated belief in the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Speaking during a short session to honour former President Muhammadu Buhari at the APC NEC, Prof. Osinbajo said of the departed immediate past president that “in his many years in public service, he, Buhari, proved that you can serve with honesty, transparency and integrity.”
The former VP to Buhari, a founding member of the party and 2023 presidential aspirant, was invited to attend the APC NEC meeting, yesterday, the first since the passing of the former president.
Tinubu, APC unsettled by ADC’s rise —Bolaji Abdullahi
Meanwhile, reacting to President Tinubu’s description of the ADC as coalition of confusion, the party accused the President and the APC of showing intolerance towards opposition parties, saying the APC is clearly unsettled by the ADC’s rising influence.
Speaking exclusively to Vanguard, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the President’s remarks exposed the ruling party’s unease with the growing momentum of the ADC.
“What exactly is there to address? How can the president of a democratic country speak of the opposition in such a way? It says a lot,” Abdullahi said.
However, Abdullahi argued that the APC’s response showed it cannot handle genuine opposition.
“This kind of language shows the APC’s clear intolerance for any opposition. They are unsettled, even angry, about the ADC’s rise, a party determined to stop their mission of turning Nigeria into a one-party state,” he said.
He explained that the APC had grown used to acting without challenge, due to weak opposition in recent years.
“For too long, the APC has enjoyed unchecked power, making decisions without proper scrutiny. But now, the ADC has stepped up, taken its place as a serious opposition force, and the APC is clearly worried,” Abdullahi added.
He said President Tinubu, in particular, seems disturbed by the ADC’s increasing popularity.
“President Tinubu is especially uncomfortable with the way the ADC is gaining ground and being accepted across the country,” he said.
Fix Nigeria before meddling in our affairs – Atiku
Also reacting, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said: “President Tinubu should first resolve the visible rift between himself and Vice President Kashim Shettima and fix Nigeria’s broken economy before meddling in the affairs of the ADC.
“It is baffling that the presidency is spending scarce public funds to fuel internal divisions in an attempt to weaken alternative political voices.”
It further alleged that the presidency was behind tensions between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi within the opposition coalition, saying the effort had failed.
“We are fully aware that the supposed disagreements between supporters of Atiku and Peter Obi within the coalition were deliberately stirred up by the presidency. Sadly for them, that divisive tactic has failed. The cracks have been mended, and the Coalition is now stronger than ever.
“While Nigerians face growing insecurity, hunger and poverty, Tinubu is busy playing petty politics. He has abandoned governance and is instead obsessed with his 2027 re-election ambitions, even though he has nothing to show for the 2023 mandate.
“Tinubu is now using state institutions, especially anti-corruption agencies, to harass and blackmail opposition leaders into defecting to the APC. But the truth is, Tinubu fears the Coalition. He knows it is this Coalition that will remove him from office, whether it’s back to Bourdillon or Iragbiji.”
Tinubu, APC already rattled by coalition of opposition parties -CUPP
In like manner, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, said the president’s comment was enough evidence of his growing fear of losing the 2027 polls to a formidable opposition.
National Secretary of the CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh, in a chat with Vanguard, in Abuja, said: “His remarks reveal a leader unsettled by the unified front challenging his administration. The opposition remains steadfast, and the President’s superficial display of strength should not be taken seriously.
“Furthermore, the defections to the APC, carry little weight. Those switching sides lack significant political value, having relied on the influence of opposition leaders to secure their own elections. The opposition coalition remains committed to its cause, confident in its ability to lead with integrity and deliver the change Nigerians deserve.” (Vanguard)
