Dare Babalola
THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda to use his leverage his experience as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to sanctify the country’s electoral system.
The charge was made by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi while conveying the goodwill of the opposition party to Yilwatda.
ADC advised the new chairman to apply caution in discharging his duties, adding that his tenure must reflect greater respect for democratic norms, opposition voices and institutional boundaries.
The party emphasised, “We take note of Professor Yilwatda’s previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). This is no small credential. It comes with a deep understanding of electoral ethics, neutrality, and public trust. We sincerely hope he will draw on this experience to promote the sanctity of our electoral processes, rather than using insider knowledge to game (manipulate) the system in favour of his party, as has often been the case under the APC’s watch.”
The ADC also criticised the ruling party for holding its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the very meeting that ratified Yilwatda’s appointment, within the State House, calling it a “dangerous blurring of the line between party and state.”
“The decision of the ruling party to host its party meeting at the seat of government is an aberration that underlines how far this government has strayed from the foundational norms of democratic accountability,” the statement read.
The opposition party stressed that the appointment of Yilwatda as the chairman of the ruling party should be an opportunity to depart from a legacy of “propaganda, impunity, and intolerance”.
ADC continued, “We are hopeful that this particular appointment might trigger a shift in tone, temperament, and trajectory for a party that has too often equated governance with propaganda, and power with impunity.
“We pray for Professor Yilwatda that may his tenure be longer than those of his predecessors and his exit more honourable.”
