ADC Slams APC for Holding Party Meeting in Aso Rock

The African Democratic Congress has criticised the All Progressives Congress for holding its recent national executive committee meeting inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing the move as a misuse of public space.

The meeting, held on Thursday at the State House Banquet Hall, was presided over by President Bola Tinubu and ended with the appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda as the new APC National Chairman. Yilwatda, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, replaces Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down in June.

The ADC, through its interim national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, said the seat of government should not be used as a party office. The party expressed concern that this repeated pattern by the APC shows growing disregard for democratic boundaries between party and state.

According to the ADC, the location of the meeting is troubling because the Presidential Villa is a national institution funded by all Nigerians, not a private space for political gatherings. It warned that continuing such practices could further erode public trust in the neutrality of national institutions.

The ADC also questioned whether the APC under Yilwatda would be different, noting that the ruling party has often shown little tolerance for opposing views. It called on the new chairman to encourage a more open democratic culture within his party and government.

The opposition party further pointed to Yilwatda’s past experience as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, saying his background should guide him toward strengthening electoral credibility, not manipulating the system for political gain.

The ADC ended its statement with a cautious wish that Yilwatda’s time as chairman would bring a more respectful and accountable tone to the APC’s leadership, and avoid the short, troubled tenures that have affected previous party chairmen.

This is not the first time the APC has used Aso Rock for internal meetings. In 2020, a similar NEC gathering was held within the Presidential Villa, raising the same concerns from critics.