Yilwatda Welcomes ADC, NDC Candidates from Five States into APC, Defends Tinubu’s Northern Agenda
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has received legislative candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from five states into the ruling party, urging them to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The defectors, comprising candidates for the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly from Taraba, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and Plateau states, were formally received at an event organised to mark their defection to the APC.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda defended the Tinubu administration against allegations of neglecting Northern Nigeria, citing ongoing infrastructure projects, economic reforms and investments aimed at boosting development across the region.
He said the President’s political alliances across regional lines demonstrated his commitment to national unity and the collective prosperity of Nigerians.
“I’m happy that you are coming to join us, because we can build a stronger Nigeria, a more united Nigeria, a Nigeria that will work for the prosperity of the common man on the street,” Yilwatda said.
Addressing concerns over infrastructure development in the North, the APC chairman highlighted several road projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maiduguri corridors, as well as routes connecting Kano to Daura and Sokoto to Kebbi.
He also pointed to investments in gas infrastructure, arguing that improved access to gas could strengthen electricity generation, support fertiliser production and reduce transportation costs through compressed natural gas.
According to him, better rail connections and inland container facilities would also create new economic opportunities for northern businesses and improve trade with neighbouring landlocked countries.
On economic reforms, Yilwatda opposed calls for the restoration of fuel subsidies, warning that such a move could place additional pressure on public finances and reduce the resources available for capital projects.
He maintained that the government’s reforms were designed to address inherited financial obligations while creating opportunities for increased investment in infrastructure and other critical sectors.
The APC chairman further claimed that the Tinubu administration had settled significant outstanding obligations inherited from previous governments, including pension liabilities, debts owed to power-generation companies and payments due to foreign airlines and investors.
He warned that reversing the current economic policies could undermine public investment and make it more difficult for the government to sustain its development programmes.
Yilwatda urged the defectors to view their decision as an opportunity to contribute to national development rather than merely a change of political platform. He encouraged them to promote unity, economic growth and opportunities for younger Nigerians.
The reception comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation was led by Princess Dr. Aslam Aliyu of Zamfara State, Hon. Mohammed Dantine of the NDC in Kaduna State, and Professor Murtala Aliyu of the ADC in Taraba State.
The APC urged the new members to return to their respective communities and participate actively in the party’s grassroots activities.
