ABUJA — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has issued a definitive mandate that all political appointees under the party’s banner must be registered, card-carrying members ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
In an address delivered on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Professor Yilwatda dismissed the concept of “neutral technocrats” within the political space, insisting that loyalty to the party is now a non-negotiable requirement for holding office.
The “No Card, No Appointment” Policy
The Chairman’s declaration sets a rigid new standard for future administrations. Professor Yilwatda stated that the era of appointing professionals who remain outside the party’s formal structure is coming to an end to ensure party discipline and grassroots mobilization.
“There is nothing like a technocrat so long as you are a political appointee,” the Chairman stated. “In 2027, you must be in the party to have a political appointment. If you cannot work for our party, then get out”.
The directive implies that all future ministers, board chairmen, and aides must be fully integrated into the APC’s membership database. This move is widely seen as an effort to ensure that those benefiting from the party’s platform are actively contributing to its electoral power.
The Wike Factor: An End to “Political Neutrality”
While Professor Yilwatda did not name specific individuals, political observers have characterized the remarks as a direct ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Mr. Wike, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Governor of Rivers State, has served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet since 2023 despite repeatedly insisting that he has not officially joined the APC. The Chairman’s ultimatum suggests that Wike’s current arrangement—maintaining PDP membership while holding a senior APC appointment—will be prohibited in the 2027 term.
A History of Acrimony: Wike’s Past Insults
The Chairman’s demand for “card-carrying” loyalty stands in sharp contrast to the caustic rhetoric Nyesom Wike directed at the APC before the 2023 elections. While serving as Governor of Rivers State, Wike famously ridiculed the APC, frequently referring to the party in derogatory terms.
- The “Cancer” Comparison: In 2021 and 2022, Wike repeatedly compared the two main parties, stating, “I have malaria [PDP], is it cancer [APC] I am looking for?”. He characterized the APC as a “stage 4 cancer patient” that was incurable and destined for failure.
- “Never Join”: Wike famously vowed in multiple viral videos and interviews that he would “never, ever” defect to the APC, describing it as a party that had failed Nigerians and could offer nothing to a person of his political standing.
The APC’s current leadership now appears determined to force Wike to reconcile these past insults with a formal defection, or risk losing his high-profile ministerial portfolio.
Political Implications for 2027
The declaration has triggered intense debate across the political landscape. APC loyalists have praised the move, arguing it is time to reward those fully committed to the party’s success. Conversely, supporters of the FCT Minister argue his strategic value in the 2023 elections should exempt him from such requirements.
As the APC concludes its nationwide electronic membership registration on January 30, 2026, the pressure on “neutral” appointees like Wike to pick a side has never been higher
