The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that following the 2027 general elections, political appointments in a potential APC-led government will be exclusively reserved for dedicated party loyalists, excluding technocrats or professionals who do not actively participate in party activities.
Speaking on Tuesday night in Abuja at the “Renewed Hope Promise Kept 2027: Meet and Greet North-West Mobilisation” event organized by the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, Prof. Yilwatda emphasized that governance is inherently political and that appointees must align fully with the party's objectives.“We should always look back and remind ourselves of what brought us here. It is votes.
There is no vote called technocrats,” he said. “Once you are given a political appointment, you are a politician. Simple.”He further asserted: “As party chairman, I will stand strong to defend the position that if you are not prepared to join us, you shouldn’t be given an appointment. If you are a technocrat, go and be a consultant.”
Prof. Yilwatda argued that government policies stem from campaign promises, which appointees must actively defend, explain, and promote. “Appointees cannot divorce themselves from party objectives,” he noted. “Once you are given a political appointment, you are a politician.
If all appointees decide to become technocrats, the party will never return to power.”The remarks, captured in a widely circulated video, sparked immediate debate among political observers, party supporters, and civil society groups.
The North-West region—described as the APC’s “vote bedrock”—was a focal point of the gathering, with leaders highlighting its critical role in delivering votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The region boasts a youthful demographic, with 48% of registered APC members aged 18-35.Supporting the chairman’s position, Special Adviser on Policy Coordination and Head of the CRDCU, Hadiza Bala-Usman, reinforced the need for appointees to engage visibly in politics.
“We are a vote basket and we must retain that. Nobody should work hard to win elections while others stroll in to collect appointments and hide behind being technocrats,” she said. “Once you are a political appointee, you must come out, show your face, show your hand, and support the party.”
Prof. Yilwatda commended the mobilization efforts and pledged to update President Tinubu on the unity initiatives discussed, urging that such strategies guide ministers and other appointees.
The statement has drawn mixed reactions. Party loyalists welcomed the focus on loyalty and grassroots engagement, while critics expressed concerns over the potential sidelining of merit-based expertise, risks to effective governance, and the reinforcement of patronage systems.
In contrast, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, indicated that a PDP administration would adopt a balanced approach incorporating both politicians and competent technocrats.
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