The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) as no match for the ruling party.
Yilwatda made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he downplayed the political relevance of leaders in the emerging opposition coalition, including ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark.
According to him, the APC remains the party to beat, citing its growing influence and the recent defection of opposition governors into the ruling party.
“We have never asked anybody or forced any civil servant to join the APC,” Yilwatda said. “If anyone can present a video or letter showing that we compelled civil servants, I will apologise. Perhaps it is the opposition that is forcing civil servants to boost their numbers.”
He insisted that the APC is not threatened by the ADC or its leadership.
“ADC is not a match at all for the APC. For every one person they have, we have five or six. If they have David Mark as a former Senate President, we have Ahmad Lawan, and even two former Senate Presidents from the South-East,” he stated.
Yilwatda also rejected claims that the ruling party is jittery over the opposition’s growing coalition, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, ex-Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola.
He said the APC-led Federal Government remains focused on governance, pointing to intervention programmes aimed at easing the economic burden on Nigerians.
Highlighting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Yilwatda said the initiative has provided relief to students and families struggling with tuition fees.
“Many students in Nigeria have had to withdraw from universities because they couldn’t afford their school fees,” he said. “Through NELFUND, students can now access loans that cover their tuition and receive a monthly allowance of ₦20,000, whether they are in school or on holiday.”
He added that some beneficiaries use the allowance to support their families, invest in farming, or assist siblings with secondary school fees during holidays.
According to the APC chairman, over one million students nationwide are currently benefiting from the programme.
“It is open to any Nigerian student facing challenges with school fees. Once registered, the government offsets the full tuition and pays ₦20,000 monthly,” he said.
Yilwatda described NELFUND as a social protection programme that indirectly supports millions of households and parents across the country.
He also noted that other welfare initiatives, including the national health insurance programme, have benefited between four and five million Nigerians.
