Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress has told political appointees serving under President Bola Tinubu that they must actively support the party’s political agenda or be prepared to leave government positions, signaling an early push to strengthen grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general election.
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda delivered the message Wednesday in Abuja while meeting members of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, a group of local council leaders working to expand the party’s support base. He said political appointees cannot separate their government roles from their responsibilities to the party, arguing that those appointed to public office are expected to contribute to the APC’s political success as well as perform their official duties.
Yilwatda said local government chairmen are in the best position to assess whether appointees are politically effective because they remain closest to voters in their communities. He argued that an official could perform well administratively in Abuja but still fail to build support for the ruling party at the grassroots level. According to him, local party leaders should identify appointees who are not contributing to political mobilization in their home constituencies.
Rejecting claims by some officials that they are merely technocrats, Yilwatda said political appointments, by their nature, carry political obligations. He maintained that individuals serving in such positions cannot distance themselves from partisan politics while remaining in offices filled through political appointments. His remarks reflect growing efforts within the APC to ensure party structures remain active well before campaigning officially begins for the next presidential election.
The comments come as political parties in Nigeria increasingly focus on internal organization and grassroots engagement following the 2023 general election. Although the next national elections are not due until 2027, both the APC and opposition parties have begun strengthening local networks, recruiting members and positioning key figures for future contests. Political analysts say early mobilization has become an important feature of Nigerian politics, where support at the ward and local government levels often plays a significant role in electoral outcomes.
Yilwatda’s remarks are likely to generate debate over the balance between professional public service and partisan political activity. Supporters may argue that political appointees are expected to advance the agenda of the administration that appointed them, while critics could contend that government officials should prioritize governance and service delivery over party politics. The discussion also highlights broader questions about accountability, governance and the relationship between political parties and public institutions in Africa’s most populous nation.
