APC chairman Yilwatda begins two-week leave ahead 2027 elections

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has commenced a two-week vacation outside Nigeria following what the party described as an “exceptionally demanding and eventful” first year of his tenure.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday, signed by Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Media and Information Strategy.

According to the statement, the vacation is intended to give Yilwatda an opportunity to rest, rejuvenate and reflect on the responsibilities ahead after months of intensive party engagements, consultations, travels and strategic activities.

It added that Yilwatda had, since assuming office, focused on building a stronger and more cohesive APC while working with the National Working Committee, NWC, governors, members of the National Assembly, state party structures, elected officials and other stakeholders.

The statement further noted that under Yilwadta’s leadership, the APC had organised and concluded its National Convention, strengthened its internal structures and conducted primary elections at various levels ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It described the achievements as milestones that had “further consolidated the APC’s position as Nigeria’s leading political party and one of Africa’s largest and most formidable political organisations”.

According to the statement, Yilwatda’s vacation should not be interpreted as a disengagement from party affairs.

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“Far from being a disengagement from party affairs, the vacation provides the National Chairman with an opportunity to step back briefly from the intensity of day-to-day activities, recharge and reflect on the enormous responsibilities ahead,” the statement said.

Yilwatda will use the period to “rest, retool and further sharpen his strategic thinking” ahead of the 2027 general elections, the statement added.

The statement further disclosed that the National Chairman would use the period to reflect on the next phase of the party’s development and put finishing touches to the planning of the forthcoming NWC Retreat.

The retreat is expected to provide a platform for the NWC to review the party’s journey so far, identify emerging challenges and agree on strategies for the months ahead.

The retreat would also “further strengthen coordination within the NWC and enhance the party’s preparedness for the demanding electoral season ahead”.

Defending the decision to embark on the vacation, the statement said, “Leadership, especially at the level of a national political party, requires not only constant engagement but also periods of reflection, strategic assessment and renewal.”

It maintained that Yilwatda remains fully committed to the APC and its objectives, stressing that his temporary absence from Nigeria would not affect the party’s operations.

“His temporary absence from the country does not in any way affect the operations or functioning of the party, as the National Working Committee continues to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the party’s constitution and established procedures,” the statement said.