The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has described opposition political parties as “just participants” in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, as the ruling party continues preparations for the polls.

Yilwatda made the comment while speaking about the APC’s readiness for the elections and its confidence in the candidates produced by the party.

According to the APC chairman, the party has completed important aspects of its preparations, including the inauguration of campaign councils and reconciliation committees.

He said the APC remained united and confident about its prospects as it moves further into the campaign season.

“The party is healthy, and we are confident we have produced the most credible and acceptable candidates to be elected,” Yilwatda said.

The APC chairman’s comments come as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections. The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the timetable published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ruling party has already settled its presidential ticket, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking another term in office under the APC.

The party has also established a presidential campaign council as part of its preparations for the election. Tinubu is serving as chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima is the vice chairman. APC National Chairman Yilwatda is also a vice chairman, while former Zamfara State Governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari serves as director-general.

The APC has subsequently moved to strengthen its campaign structures at the state and grassroots levels.

In Ogun State, for example, the party inaugurated its campaign council and directed members to begin mobilisation across the state’s local government areas, wards and polling units.

Yilwatda’s latest comments come against the backdrop of efforts by several opposition parties to establish a broader political coalition ahead of the 2027 election.

Opposition figures and parties have been discussing ways to coordinate their activities and, potentially, field a common presidential candidate. Several political groups have been involved in negotiations over the structure and leadership of a possible coalition.

The opposition landscape includes parties and politicians seeking to challenge the APC at the presidential and other levels of the 2027 elections.

The political discussions have included questions over whether prominent opposition figures can agree on a common platform and presidential candidate.

While some opposition leaders have advocated greater unity, differences remain over leadership, candidate selection and the structure of any potential alliance.

The APC has used its existing party structure and incumbent status as part of its preparations for the election, while opposition parties continue their efforts to consolidate their respective political organisations.

Yilwatda’s statement therefore comes at a time when both the ruling party and opposition groups are increasingly focused on translating their political structures into campaign organisations ahead of the polls.

The APC chairman also said the party had confidence in the candidates who emerged from its primary elections.

He indicated that the party would continue its campaign activities and strengthen its structures ahead of the election.

The comments have added to the growing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition groups as the 2027 campaign progresses.

For the opposition parties, the coming months will involve continued campaigning, coalition discussions and efforts to mobilise supporters across the country.

For the APC, the focus remains on consolidating its existing structures and presenting its candidates to voters.

Nigeria’s 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to feature multiple candidates and political parties. INEC has published the final list of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, providing the formal field for the presidential contest.

The campaign period is therefore moving into a more active phase, with parties increasingly taking their messages and organisational structures to voters across the country.

Yilwatda’s characterization of opposition parties as “just participants” reflects the APC leadership’s confidence in its preparations, while the opposition continues to organise and campaign ahead of the January 2027 elections.