APC Chair Yilwatda Claims Tinubu Has Regained Christian Support, Says Opposition Strongholds Are Collapsing Ahead of 2027

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has made bold claims about the changing political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu now enjoys stronger nationwide support than he did during the 2023 polls.

Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television with Seun Okinbaloye, Yilwatda argued that political realities across Nigeria have shifted significantly since the last election, particularly in regions where religious sentiment allegedly influenced voting patterns.

According to him, Christian communities in states such as Plateau and Nasarawa that largely supported Peter Obi in 2023 have now aligned with President Tinubu.

Yilwatda suggested that concerns and religious sentiments that may have affected support for Tinubu during the previous election cycle have faded.

“The Christian communities in Plateau, Nasarawa and other states who supported Peter Obi are fully with Mr. President now. The religious sentiments that were there before are no longer there,” he stated.

The APC chairman also pointed to what he described as growing political momentum for the ruling party, citing increased numbers of elected officials joining the party since the 2023 elections.

He argued that the APC’s political structure has expanded considerably.
“How many governors were in APC? How many do we have now? We had 70-something senators, now we have 90-something senators.”

Yilwatda further claimed that regions previously considered difficult terrain for the ruling party have undergone dramatic political shifts.
Speaking on the South-South region, he asserted that areas once dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and support for Peter Obi have now tilted toward the APC.

“The South-South that was purely PDP or with Obi is now APC.”
He also dismissed the strength of opposition parties in the North-West, arguing that both the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the PDP have experienced a sharp decline in influence.

According to him, ongoing defections by governors, federal lawmakers, and grassroots political figures indicate growing support for the president.
“Governors are joining, National Assembly members are joining, community leaders are joining. Everybody is together with Mr. President.”

Addressing criticism surrounding President Tinubu’s reported political strength and projections ahead of 2027, Yilwatda defended claims surrounding the APC’s expanding support base and challenged skeptics questioning projections of future electoral numbers.
“You mean there’s no change? There’s no addition?”

His comments come as political parties continue to reposition and build alliances ahead of the next election cycle, with growing attention focused on defections, coalition talks, and shifting voter sentiments across different regions of the country.

While supporters of the ruling party may see Yilwatda’s remarks as evidence of APC’s expanding influence, critics are likely to argue that electoral outcomes ultimately depend on voter turnout, governance performance, and public perception closer to election season.
With 2027 still on the horizon, debates over Nigeria’s changing political map appear set to intensify.