The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the ruling party does not coerce individuals to join its fold, insisting that membership remains entirely voluntary.
Yilwatda made the assertion during a media chat while addressing concerns over the influx of politicians from opposition parties into the APC and the appointment of non-members into government positions.
“We don’t compel anyone to join APC. People come in willingly. Freedom of association is guaranteed, and we respect that,” he said.
He dismissed claims that the ruling party was deliberately weakening opposition parties by attracting their members, noting that political realignments are a normal feature of democratic systems.
According to him, individuals who choose to identify with the APC do so based on personal conviction and alignment with the party’s direction.
“If anyone wants to join the APC, the door is open, but it must be by choice, not by force,” Yilwatda added.
The APC chairman also addressed the controversy surrounding the appointment of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, clarifying that his participation in the APC-led government was approved by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Wike wrote to the PDP National Working Committee and got approval to serve. So, he is working with that consent, not as someone taken away from his party,” he explained.
Yilwatda further argued that appointing individuals from across party lines is not unprecedented, citing past administrations that drew talent from opposition ranks in the interest of governance.
On endorsements for President Bola Tinubu ahead of future elections, he said support is not limited to registered party members.
“You don’t have to be a member of APC to support the President. Once you vote for him, you have endorsed him,” he said.
He also outlined steps taken by the party to ensure transparency in its internal processes, including the publication of guidelines for primaries, collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms across states.
“We have put in place systems that ensure transparency and integrity. Our processes are open and supervised at different levels,” he said.
Yilwatda added that the APC is leveraging technology to strengthen its operations through a digitised membership register that enables verification and supports mobilisation efforts.
“We are building a data-driven party with verifiable membership and structured mobilisation,” he said.
He maintained that the party is also investing in training and ideological development to build capacity among its members and prepare a new generation of political leaders.
