The national chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said on Tuesday that opposition criticism would not deter President Bola Tinubu as he seeks re-election in 2027.
Speaking through the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, at the APC’s 12th Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting in Bayelsa State, Yilwatda said more governors and lawmakers were defecting to the ruling party, citing Tinubu’s performance and leadership style.
“Our doors are still open. More governors are moving into our party; more senators and House members are also joining because of the calibre, integrity, and output of the person we made president. Opponents may bark, but when a lion is at work, it doesn’t take notice of small animals,” Yilwatda said.
The APC formally endorsed Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for 2027 during the meeting. Recent high-profile defections include Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, who left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling party.
Yilwatda praised South-South governors for what he called their “realism and political maturity,” noting that their move reflected confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.
“Because of what they saw in Mr President, they have abandoned their political parties to join our great party so that we can work together to move Nigeria forward. From the South-South to the South-East, leaders are making the same choice because they want a greater Nigeria,” he said.
He also commended Tinubu’s reform efforts, describing the president as fearless and determined to implement policies others avoided.
“This president is not afraid. He takes the bull by the horns. What others could not do, he has done and is achieving results. President Tinubu is on the move to take Nigeria to greater heights,”Yilwatda added.