Nigeria, Dec. 19 -- The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, on Thursday declared that the ruling party is witnessing a surge in national acceptance, citing recent high-profile defections, the rollout of an electronic membership registration system, and plans to build a new national secretariat in Abuja.

Mr Yilwatda spoke at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, his first appearance before the party's top strategic organ since emerging as national chairman in July.

The caucus meeting drew unusual attention due to the presence of six governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had recently defected to the APC. They are ...