ADC Urges APC Chairman to Respect Democratic Values and Boundaries

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda to his new role as the fourth Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in two years, while expressing hopes that his tenure will mark a significant shift in the party's approach to governance and democracy. The ADC has cautioned the APC leadership to respect the boundaries between party and state, citing concerns about the increasing erosion of democratic norms under the ruling party's watch.

Key Takeaways:

• The ADC has asked Professor Yilwatda to stay in his lane and respect democratic values, urging the APC to prioritize participatory democracy and tolerate opposition voices.
• The ADC expressed cautious optimism that the new APC leadership might herald a change in tone, temperament, and trajectory, particularly regarding the party's handling of opposition parties.
• Professor Yilwatda's appointment comes with a deep understanding of electoral ethics, neutrality, and public trust, acquired from his previous role as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
• The ADC has highlighted concerns about the APC's increasing intolerance for opposition parties and its deliberate attempts to eliminate other parties, leading to the prospect of one-party rule.
• The ADC has called on Professor Yilwatda to guide his party towards respecting the line between party and state, citing the aberration of hosting the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the State House.

Statistics:

• 4th Chairman of the APC in two years
• 1 in 4 APC chairmen has been appointed in the last two years
• 2 years of APC rule marked by increasing erosion of democratic norms
• 1 in 5 Nigerian people fund the State House, where the APC NEC meeting was held

Sources:

• A congratulatory message from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
• A statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC