APC Assures Loyal Members, Says Defectors Won’t Take Over Party Structure
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that politicians defecting into the party will not be handed leadership positions at the expense of long-standing members.
Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, reassured loyal members that the party would protect its existing structure from being taken over by new entrants.
He stressed that while defectors are welcome, they must not attempt to dominate or displace those who built the party. According to him, the APC is “a home that we built,” w@rning that no newcomer should “come as a warrior and take over.”
Yilwatda explained that the party would instead adopt a power-sharing formula to balance the interests of both legacy members and defectors. This framework is expected to ensure inclusion across different groups without undermining the party’s original members.
He also outlined conditions for defectors seeking leadership roles, stating that they must provide proof of resignation from their former parties, including documented acceptance by their previous party leadership.
Additionally, the APC chairman emphasized adherence to party rules, including tenure limits, noting that anyone who has held a position for eight consecutive years must step aside or move to another role.
The statement comes amid increasing defections into the APC ahead of future elections, raising concerns within the party about internal power struggles and the protection of its established leadership structure.
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