The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that political appointments would be strictly reserved for party loyalists rather than technocrats or professionals following the 2027 general elections.
The APC chairman stated this while speaking Tuesday night in Abuja at an event tagged “Renewed Hope Promise Kept 2027: Meet and Greet North-West Mobilisation,” organised by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo.
Nentawe emphasised that governance is inherently political and appointees must actively support the party that brought them to power.
A video of his statement went viral on Wednesday, rapidly circulating across social media platforms and generating intense debate among political commentators, party members, and civil society stakeholders nationwide.
According to Nentawe, all government appointees must be visible in grassroots politics and actively participate in party activities, stressing there was “nothing like technocrats” when it comes to political appointments.
“We should always look back and remind ourselves of what brought us here. It is votes. There is no vote called technocrats. Once you are given a political appointment, you are a politician. Simple,” he said.
He insisted that he would defend the position that only individuals willing to actively work for the APC should be considered for appointments.
“As party chairman, I will stand strong to defend the position that if you are not prepared to join us, you shouldn’t be given an appointment. If you are a technocrat, go and be a consultant,” he added, urging appointees to combine governance with politics.
“Government policies are campaign promises that must be defended, explained, and promoted by those implementing them. Appointees cannot divorce themselves from party objectives,” Nentawe said, adding that detachment from political mobilisation could weaken the party’s grip on power.
