The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed the threats by the opposition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the ruling party remains far ahead in strength and influence.

In a recent interview on Channels TV, it downplayed the strength and influence of the ADC, including some of its prominent figures, such as former Senate President David Mark.

He stressed that the recent defection of major political players from other political parties as evidence of the strength of the ruling APC.

Reacting to claims that the APC is coercing civil servants to join its ranks, Yilwatda strongly denied the allegation, challenging critics to provide proof.

“We have never asked anybody, we have never appealed to any civil servant. Nobody has forced any civil servant in a letter, verbal bring one video to that effect and I will apologise,” he said.

He suggested that such accusations may be a projection by the opposition, adding that numerical strength clearly favours the APC.

“ADC is not a match at all (for the APC). For every one person they have, we have five, six of them,” Yilwatda stated.

The APC chairman also rejected claims that the ruling party is unsettled by the opposition’s coalition of political heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola.

He stressed that the APC is neither threatened nor desperate, maintaining that the party’s dominance is based on voluntary support rather than force or intimidation.