The ruling All Progressives Congress has warned political appointees serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration to actively support and mobilise for the party or be prepared to leave their positions.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, led by the Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr Mustafa Jibrin.
The forum had briefed the APC chairman on its grassroots mobilisation plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“You cannot hide behind the claim of being a technocrat to avoid your political responsibilities. If you accept a political appointment, you must also play your role as a politician,” he said.
The APC chairman added anyone who did not want to participate in politics should not accept a political appointment in the first place.
He urged the local government chairmen to monitor the political performance of government appointees in their communities and report those failing to support the party at the grassroots.
He said council chairmen are in a better position to know whether political appointees are making meaningful contributions to the party in their wards.
“You know who is delivering politically at the grassroots. An appointee may be performing well in the office, but if they have no political presence in their ward, that is a problem. Anyone who accepts a political appointment must also accept the responsibilities that come with politics,” he said.
Yilwatda stressed that the APC’s success in the 2027 elections would depend on effective grassroots mobilisation rather than administrative performance alone.
He urged the local government chairmen to point out areas where political appointees were underperforming, identify where the party needed to improve, and highlight weaknesses that should be addressed to strengthen the APC’s chances of winning future elections.
“We will give you our full support in your mobilisation efforts. The party will also support the inauguration of your state coordinators and work with you to organise a mass endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Abuja,” he stated.
