In a bold move that reflects both political strategy and regional recalibration, Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially named the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as its new National Chairman.
The announcement, made on Thursday afternoon during the APC’s highly anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, brings an end to weeks of internal wrangling, suspense, and high-level negotiations that had gripped the party’s leadership circle.
Yilwatda, a former governorship candidate in Plateau State and a close ally of former Governor Simon Lalong, was immediately sworn in at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja amidst cheers and applause from party chieftains and supporters.
According to insider sources, President Bola Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, played pivotal roles in Yilwatda’s emergence, with Tinubu reportedly issuing a discreet directive to APC governors and key stakeholders to secure a seamless consensus around the Plateau-born technocrat. The president’s backing ultimately sealed the deal during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday night.
The decision marks a strategic return of the APC chairmanship to the North Central zone, a region originally designated for the top party position before the controversial selection of former Kano governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. Ganduje, who had been under increasing pressure over allegations and political tension, resigned earlier this month, creating the vacancy that paved the way for Yilwatda’s elevation.
Beyond mere regional zoning, Yilwatda’s emergence is seen as a calculated move by the Tinubu administration to calm lingering discontent among Christian groups and Middle Belt stakeholders, especially following the APC’s adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election. His selection has been lauded in some quarters as a reconciliatory gesture meant to bridge religious and regional divides ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State was also strongly considered for the role, Yilwatda ultimately triumphed after intense last-minute lobbying by Tinubu’s loyalists within the NEC and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Sources disclosed that both men were shortlisted on the eve of the NEC meeting, but Yilwatda was seen as a more viable option—both electorally and in terms of his loyalty to the Tinubu camp.
In addition to installing a new National Chairman, the NEC also extended the tenure of all APC Ward, Local Government, and State Executive Committees across the country until December 31, 2025, further tightening Tinubu’s grip on the party’s grassroots structures.
Who is Prof Nentawe Yilwatda?
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung village, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Prof Yilwatda brings a rich blend of academic excellence, bureaucratic experience, and political resilience to his new role.
A PhD holder in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Yilwatda previously served as the Director of ICT at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and later as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State between 2017 and 2021 under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He resigned from INEC in 2022 to pursue his political ambitions and went on to clinch the APC gubernatorial ticket in Plateau State, defeating heavyweight contenders, including former Deputy Governor Sonni Tyoden. Though he lost the 2023 governorship election to PDP’s Caleb Mutfwang, he remained a strong voice within the Plateau APC structure.
Recognized for his loyalty and strategic value, he was appointed by President Tinubu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, taking over from his political mentor, Simon Lalong, who returned to the Senate following a contentious court ruling.
Beyond politics, Yilwatda boasts over 29 years of professional experience spanning academia, civil service, and international development consultancy. He has worked on various projects with international agencies and is known for his deep understanding of governance systems and project delivery mechanisms.
With his elevation to the APC’s top job, analysts believe the party is setting the stage for a more technocratic and image-conscious leadership as it braces for the turbulent road to 2027.
As the APC continues to redefine its power structure and strategic focus, all eyes will be on Yilwatda to steer the party through its next political phase, unify its diverse factions, and restore public confidence ahead of future electoral battles.
PIONEER NEWS 