A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yekini Nabena, has appealed to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to resist moves to hand over control of internal party structures to incumbent governors ahead of the party’s nationwide congresses. In a statement issued in Abuja, Nabena argued that allowing governors to control party machinery from the ward to the state levels could breed resentment, marginalise committed party members, and weaken grassroots engagement crucial for the 2027 general elections.

Nabena, a Bayelsa State APC chieftain, warned that such control by state executives might spark internal crises and alienate the few remaining grassroots supporters at a time when the party is striving to revive its membership base. He also raised concerns over the apparent appointment of several key NWC members, including the national chairman, rather than their emergence through transparent elections, a trend he believes might encourage further concentration of power among incumbents.

Calling for free and fair congresses, the former party spokesperson urged the NWC to ensure that nomination forms are made available to all interested aspirants and to uphold due process. Nabena also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and senior party leaders to intervene and safeguard inclusive internal democracy within the APC before the congresses begin nationwide.