The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has explained that the party does not operate a Board of Trustees (BoT) because it is owned, funded, and driven directly by its registered members.

Speaking during a public presentation in Abuja, Professor Yilwatda said the APC’s structure is deliberately designed to strengthen internal democracy, accountability, and member ownership, rather than concentrating influence in a few unelected party elders.

“APC belongs to its members. That is why we do not have a Board of Trustees. Our members fund the party through dues and legitimate contributions, and that gives them true ownership and control of party affairs,” he said.

He explained that the party’s technology-driven membership system has further reinforced the structure, adding that APC’s adoption of electronic registration has enhanced transparency, credibility, and effective mobilisation across the country.

“Our electronic registration gives us real-time access to our members. We know who they are, where they live, and how to reach them. This allows us to mobilise efficiently and conduct credible primaries,” Yilwatda stated.

The APC chairman disclosed that the party has linked its membership register with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to clean and validate its database, eliminate duplication, and strengthen internal accountability.

On the debate over direct and indirect primaries, Yilwatda said that while direct primaries promote participation and a sense of belonging among members, they also come with risks if not properly managed.

“Direct primaries can be manipulated, and delegates can be colonised, which defeats the essence of democracy. The real issue is not the method, but the integrity of the process,” he said.

He noted that the APC remains flexible in its approach, having successfully conducted consensus, direct, and indirect primaries depending on what best promotes party unity and stability.

According to him, the APC has achieved consensus candidacies in several states without post-primary litigation, a feat he said remains rare in Nigeria’s political space.

Addressing concerns over rising defections to the APC, Yilwatda dismissed claims that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state, describing the trend as a natural consequence of political competition.

“People move to where systems work. Many parties are weakening, while APC continues to grow because it is better organised,” he said.

He added that the party’s growing influence, including its control of about 31 governorship seats and a strong majority in the National Assembly, reflects voter confidence rather than coercion.

Yilwatda said the APC’s organisational strength has attracted politicians from across the political spectrum, including the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.

He thereby reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and continuous reform of party administration, describing the party as a model for effective political organisation in Nigeria.