Professor Yilwatda emerges as New APC National Chairman

Professor Yilwatda emerges as New APC National Chairman

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has chosen a new national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

He was picked to take over from Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down recently due to health reasons.

Professor Yilwatda is currently the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and was once a university lecturer. He is from Plateau State and was the APC’s candidate for governor in the 2023 elections.

His selection follows an agreement reached during a late-night meeting in Abuja between President Bola Tinubu and APC governors. The party’s National Executive Committee is expected to officially approve his appointment later today.

At 56 years old, Yilwatda’s nomination fits the APC’s zoning arrangement, which gives the chairman position to the North-Central region—made up of Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states.

Sources within the party also said his Christian background helped in his selection, as both the President and Vice President are Muslims. Party leaders felt that choosing a Christian chairman would show religious balance and make the party more appealing to a wider range of voters.

A senior APC member described him as “young, smart, well-educated, and free of political scandals.” The party hopes he will bring a fresh image and help build trust ahead of upcoming elections.

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56 year – old Yilwatda,  is from Plateau State and was the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the state during the 2023 general elections.

His nomination as national chairman aligns with the party’s zoning arrangement, which allocated the position to the North-Central geopolitical zone comprising Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states.

His Christian background is also believed to have influenced his selection. With both the President and Vice President being Muslims, party leaders considered appointing a Christian chairman as a move to promote inclusivity and broaden the party’s appeal across religious lines.

Described as youthful, refined, and well-educated, Yilwatda is seen by many within the party as a fresh face capable of restoring credibility and re-energizing the APC ahead of future elections.

He brings a mix of academic, administrative, and political experience. Prior to his political career, he was a lecturer in engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

He also served as a Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021, where he supervised elections in Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers, and Cross River states.

Professor Yilwatda emerges as New APC National Chairman