Tinubu abandoned by politicians he supported before 2023 presidential race – APC chairman

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has claimed that several politicians President Bola Tinubu supported over the years withdrew their backing when he declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2023.

Yilwatda made the allegation on Friday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja while welcoming defectors from opposition parties in Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano and Plateau states into the ruling party.

The APC chairman said Tinubu had supported politicians from different parts of the country in previous presidential elections, arguing that his commitment to national unity had not always been reciprocated.

According to him, the President’s political history showed that he had consistently backed candidates from the North and worked with leaders across regional divides before seeking the presidency himself.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always supported northern politicians because he believes in the unity of Nigeria,” Yilwatda said.

He cited Tinubu’s support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar during the 2007 presidential election and former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu, who contested under the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011.

Yilwatda also recalled Tinubu’s support for former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections, saying the President had played a role in building political alliances across the country.

“He has consistently worked to bring politicians together and promote unity across the country,” he said.

APC chairman urges defectors to back Tinubu

Yilwatda urged the new APC members to support Tinubu and his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing their decision to join the ruling party as an indication of confidence in the President’s leadership.

The defectors were drawn from five states: Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano and Plateau.

The APC chairman said the party remained committed to expanding its political base and bringing together Nigerians from different backgrounds.

He encouraged the new members to contribute to the party’s activities and support the Federal Government’s programmes, insisting that the administration’s policies and projects were intended to address national development challenges.

The event provided an opportunity for the APC leadership to defend the President’s record and highlight what it described as the administration’s achievements, particularly in northern Nigeria.

Yilwatda defends Tinubu’s infrastructure projects in North

The APC chairman also defended the Tinubu administration against criticism over its performance in the northern region, citing several road and rail projects as evidence of the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments.

Among the projects he mentioned were the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road, the Kano–Maiduguri road and railway initiatives.

He criticised opposition politicians for questioning the administration’s development record in the region, arguing that infrastructure projects were being pursued across different parts of the country.

Yilwatda maintained that the government should be assessed on its policies and ongoing projects rather than what he described as political criticism from opponents.

However, the projects cited by the APC chairman vary in their stages of implementation, and his remarks did not provide specific details on their completion timelines or the level of work carried out under the current administration.

APC chair questions opposition fuel discount proposal

Yilwatda also challenged opposition proposals on reducing petrol prices, focusing on a plan to offer fuel at N500 per litre.

He argued that implementing the proposal would impose a substantial financial burden on the government, estimating its annual cost at about N20 trillion.

The APC chairman questioned the feasibility of the proposal, citing the structure of Nigeria’s oil production arrangements, under which the Federal Government shares production with joint-venture partners.

“How can you promise what you do not have when about 60 per cent of our oil production is tied to joint ventures, where the Federal Government owns only part of the production?” he asked.

His comments came amid continuing political debate over petrol prices, the cost of living and the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

The opposition’s proposed fuel discount and the APC chairman’s cost estimate were not accompanied by detailed calculations during the remarks reported.

Yilwatda accuses Atiku over privatisation exercise

The APC national chairman further accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of selling public assets below their construction costs during the privatisation exercise carried out under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He did not provide specific examples of the assets or figures to substantiate the allegation in the remarks provided.

The accusation adds to the political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

Atiku, who served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007, has remained a prominent figure in opposition politics and is among the politicians associated with efforts to challenge the APC’s hold on power.

The APC leadership’s comments reflect its efforts to defend Tinubu’s record, question opposition proposals and consolidate support ahead of the next presidential election.