The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as its new National Chairman. The decision follows the resignation of former chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down citing health reasons.
Professor Yilwatda, a former university lecturer and one-time gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State, emerged as the consensus choice after a late-night meeting in Abuja between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC governors. The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to ratify his appointment later today, marking a new chapter in the leadership of Nigeria’s ruling party.
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The appointment of the 56-year-old technocrat from Plateau State aligns with the APC’s internal zoning policy, which had designated the chairmanship position to the North-Central geopolitical zone. His Christian background is also seen as a strategic move to balance the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and appeal to a wider section of the electorate.
Yilwatda, described by insiders as “young, polished, and untainted by the usual political baggage,” is expected to inject fresh energy into a party that has battled internal wrangling, declining popularity, and leadership crises in recent times. His ascension signals a broader attempt to reshape the APC’s image and position it as a party ready for the future.
Before venturing into politics, Yilwatda lectured in engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He later served as a Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), overseeing elections in Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers, and Cross River states between 2017 and 2021. His unexpected resignation from INEC in late 2021 set the stage for his swift entry into Plateau State politics, where he became the APC’s governorship flag bearer in 2023. Although he lost the election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his rapid political rise caught the attention of President Tinubu, who appointed him as a federal minister.
His elevation to APC National Chairman is viewed by political observers as a major step by the party to rebuild public trust, project inclusiveness, and reset its strategy ahead of critical future elections. With Professor Yilwatda now at the helm, expectations are high for a reinvigorated APC ready to tackle the challenges ahead and maintain its grip on national politics.