The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentanwe Yilwatda, stated on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu does not interfere in the party's internal administration. He dismissed claims that the presidency imposes decisions on the party, emphasizing that Mr Tinubu supports independent party structures and encourages consultation and internal democracy. According to Mr Yilwatda, while the president may be consulted on certain matters, he does not impose positions on the National Working Committee (NWC) or state-level party structures. He cited the absence of public conflict between APC governors and the president as proof of non-interference, suggesting such friction would be inevitable if decisions were being imposed. The APC chairperson also credited Mr Tinubu for supporting transparent party processes, including credible congresses where members freely elect candidates. National Secretary Ajibola Basiru added that major decisions are made collectively by the National Executive Committee (NEC), not by individuals. He noted that the NEC has met at least three or four times in the past two and a half years to adopt resolutions, underscoring the party's consensus-driven model. "The highest expression of democratic decision is consensus," Mr Basiru said, stressing that the NEC's active role negates claims of top-down control from the Presidential Villa.
Nentanwe Yilwatda's insistence that Bola Tinubu does not interfere in APC affairs rings hollow to many who recall how the president's allies secured key party positions shortly after his inauguration. The claim of a thriving internal democracy sits uneasily with widespread perceptions that loyalists to the presidency have been prioritized in critical appointments and electoral decisions. While the absence of public rifts among APC governors may suggest cohesion, it could also reflect political caution rather than genuine autonomy.
The emphasis on consensus and NEC meetings, cited by Ajibola Basiru as proof of democracy, has historically been used to mask centralized decision-making in Nigerian parties. When major decisions align too closely with presidential interests despite supposed deliberations, the process risks being ceremonial rather than substantive. The party's narrative hinges on procedure, but Nigerians are more concerned with outcomes—especially fairness in candidate selection and power rotation.
Ordinary APC members and aspirants are the most affected, as perceived top-down influence can stifle competition and discourage grassroots participation. If party leadership roles and tickets are informally preordained, the congresses become performative, undermining trust in the system. This dynamic weakens the party's democratic credibility, regardless of how many NEC meetings are held.
This narrative of non-interference fits a broader pattern in Nigerian governance where power is exercised quietly through loyal intermediaries rather than overt commands. The real test will come during the next electoral cycle, when candidate selections reveal whether the APC's democracy is truly internal or merely managed from Aso Rock's shadow.
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