The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nantewe Yilwatda, has assured longstanding members of the party that recent defectors will not be allowed to dominate its leadership structures.
Yilwatda gave the assurance yesterday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with APC stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
He emphasized the need to balance the interests of both legacy members and new entrants, noting that while the party remains open to defectors, its foundational members must not be sidelined.
“It is a home that we built. If the house was not built, nobody will come, so nobody should come as a warrior and take over,” he said.
The APC chairman stressed that a deliberate power-sharing arrangement would ensure inclusiveness across all groups within the party.
“We must have everybody included. There will be a sharing formula that will ensure that all members of the legacy group and defectors are properly carried along,” he added.
On the structure of the party in the FCT, Yilwatda outlined a five-dimensional sharing formula aimed at promoting equity and representation.
This, he said, includes gender inclusion with women occupying substantive executive positions, equitable representation across the six geopolitical zones, inclusion of indigenous tribes in the FCT, and active youth engagement.
He also confirmed the existence of a committee chaired by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, describing its members as bona fide APC members.
According to him, the committee has successfully conducted zoning for the FCT APC structure, and its recommendations have been fully implemented.
Yilwatda noted that no party member had so far raised complaints of marginalization, adding that the party’s constitution would be strictly adhered to in forthcoming congresses.
He further stated that defectors seeking executive positions within the party must provide evidence of resignation from their former political parties, including confirmation of acceptance by their previous party chairmen.
“If you are in opposition, you must give a resignation letter and show evidence of resignation and acceptance of your resignation by your former party chairman,” he said.
Reiterating the party’s constitutional provisions on tenure, Yilwatda said any member who has held a position for eight consecutive years must step aside or seek a different office.
The APC chairman also highlighted inclusion as the cornerstone of his political philosophy, stressing the importance of accommodating diverse groups within the party.
“We must accommodate all tribes… I am chairing this party because of inclusion. If there is no inclusion, I can’t be here because my tribe is only found in two local governments of this country. I am a minority,” he said.
He further underscored the role of women in political mobilization, urging that they be given greater recognition beyond election periods and included in decision-making and leadership positions within the party.
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