How Yilwatda Emerged As APC Chairman

Fresh facts have emerged about how Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda merged the new ruling of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Professor Yilwatda is the current minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

He was the APC governorship candidate in Plataud State in the 2013 general election,

Yilwatda’s emergence followed the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje who stepped down from the position last month, citing health reasons.

Ganduje formally stepped aside last month after weeks of speculation, paving the way for a leadership reshuffle within the party.

LEADERSHIP checks reveal that following Ganduje’s exit, pressure mounted from political leaders in the North Central zone for the party to return the chairmanship slot to the region.

The position was originally zoned to the North Central, but was occupied by Ganduje from the North West after the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu last year.

Top party sources said Yilwatda became the preferred choice among stakeholders who pushed for a Christian candidate from the North Central to balance President Bola Tinubu’s and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. This political consideration effectively knocked out former Nasarawa State Governor Senator Tanko Al-Makura who was the front runner.

It was also learnt that Yilwatda’s candidacy was boosted by his clean political record.

Yilwatda, seen as a moderate and consensus builder, was handpicked by President Tinubu and presented to the APC governors on Wednesday.

The Progressive Governors’ Forum reportedly ratified the president’s nomination without opposition.

His emergence comes as the party seeks to consolidate its internal cohesion and reposition for future elections.

Yilwatda is expected to lead efforts to rebuild the party’s grassroots base and reconcile aggrieved stakeholders.

 

VP Shettima’s role

Another source said Yilwatda’s emergence as the new national chairman of the APC was not without the support of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who played a prominent role in getting the buy-in of the APC governors and other stakeholders to support Yilwatda after Ganduje’s resignation on health grounds.

 

Osinbajo factor

LEADERSHIP reports that the immediate past vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as acting president in 2017 when the late President Muhammadu Buhari was out of the country, appointed Yilwatda and 13 others as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for INEC after their confirmation by the Senate for a five-year renewable tenure.

 

… Resignation as REC

LEADERSHIP also reports that Prof. Yilwatda resigned from his position in December 2021 after over four years where he participated in the conduct of elections in Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers and Cross River states.

He left Benue and proceeded to his native Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, where he joined the ruling APC.

He later contested and won the party’s governorship ticket for the 2023 elections before he lost to incumbent Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

There was the initial controversy that he did not formally resign from INEC before joining the APC.

This was later clarified after the then INEC commissioner for information and voter education (IVEC), Festus Okoye confirmed that Yilwatda had indeed resigned from the commission.

 

Uzodinma calls for party unity, chides opposition coalition

At the NEC meeting, the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma called for unity, discipline, and renewed commitment among APC members while formally moving the motion for the nomination and election of Professor Yilwatda from Plateau State as the party’s new national chairman.

While thanking Ganduje for his services, Governor Uzodinma underscored the need for continuity and strategic repositioning following Ganduje’s resignation.

Uzodinma said, “As we turn this page, it is imperative that we quickly move to nominate a capable and unifying replacement — someone who can build on the foundation laid and help reposition the party to its rightful place of pride in Nigeria’s democratic history.”

He, thereafter proposed a comprehensive motion to restructure the party’s leadership composition in line with APC’s zoning arrangements.

In his motion, Uzodinma proposed reassigning the national legal adviser position from the north central to the North West, with Barrister Murtala from Katsina State nominated to take up that role.

Under the new arrangement, the current national legal adviser, Professor Karim Kana, would serve as the deputy national secretary of the party.

Uzodinma further moved a motion to extend the tenure of all APC ward and local government executives until December 31, 2025, citing the compressed political calendar and ongoing internal restructuring.

His motion was seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Governor Uzodinma also applauded the notable strides being made in the party’s digital reorganisation, particularly the ongoing membership e-registration exercise.

He described the initiative as a vital step towards deepening internal democracy, improving data-driven planning, and creating new channels of inclusion for millions of Nigerians.

Speaking on the national outlook under the APC administration, Uzodinma commended President Tinubu for his bold reforms and transformative governance.

“Under your administration, we have made irreversible progress in the economy, improved the security architecture, recalibrated the oil subsystems for long-term benefit, unified the foreign exchange system, and implemented bold fiscal and governance reforms that have restored investor confidence in Nigeria,” he said.

According to Uzodinma, these reforms have earned the admiration of development agencies, multilateral institutions, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, and local and international observers.

“Indeed, a new era of strategic governance is taking root in Nigeria under your watch,” he declared.

The Imo governor, however, condemned the conduct of certain political actors who, he said, have resorted to divisive and irresponsible behaviour under the guise of opposition politics.

“We must collectively condemn the actions of some elements who claim to be the new opposition but whose conduct does not reflect the spirit of statesmanship, patriotism, or national unity,” he said.

 

… I’ll fix, drive party to destination of choice – Yilwatda

The new APC chairman, Prof Yilwatda, has pledged to unite and expand the ruling party, describing his emergence as a sacred trust to be carried out with total commitment and collaboration.

Delivering his acceptance speech shortly after being sworn in, Yilwatda expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu, party governors, lawmakers, and all National Executive Committee (NEC) members for the confidence reposed in him.

Yilwatda said he did not take the mandate for granted, stressing that it is a call to service and responsibility.

“I want to accept it with gratitude, with my full heart and full mind to work together with you, to build the party. All of us here are the mechanics of the party, and the party is our vehicle. We will fix it and move it to our destination of choice,” he said.

He assured party stakeholders of inclusive leadership and a renewed commitment to the ideals of APC’s Renewed Hope agenda.

“I pledge without hesitation that I will work with everybody in the party, unite the party, build the party, and expand the party — with you as the focus and the building blocks. I will require your support to drive the party as needed by all of us, so that we can fulfil the dreams of Nigerians who have reposed their hope in the Renewed Hope agenda,” he stated.

The new APC chairman also vowed to rely on the collective wisdom and leadership of party members to deliver on expectations.

 

… Nigerians Still Complaining, Do More at Grassroots, Tinubu Tells Governors

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday urged governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intensify efforts at delivering meaningful development at the grassroots, noting that Nigerians are still expressing discontent with the pace of governance and the dividends of democracy.

Speaking during the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ysyreday , President Tinubu emphasised the need for urgent, people-focused governance at the sub-national level.

“Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots,” the president declared. “To you, the governors, you have to wet the grass more and lead the way in delivering progressive change to Nigerians. We need to strengthen our grassroots mobilisation and unity. We must not relent.”

Tinubu acknowledged the vote of confidence passed on him by various party chapters, saying such expressions of trust should inspire greater commitment across all levels of government.

He revealed plans to construct a new national secretariat for the party, describing the current Muhammadu Buhari House in Wuse II, Abuja, as inadequate.

“We should leave a legacy of development. The governors are here — 23 of them — to help identify with the Minister of the FCT, and we should put a committee together of Progressive Governors to find an appropriate land for a befitting secretariat,” Tinubu proposed.

 

On the economy, the President assured party leaders that the government’s reforms were beginning to bear fruit, adding that the nation was now on a more stable economic path.

 

“We have seen the trend of economic trajectories, and I promise you that, as the president, I will continue to work harder and make sure that the essence of our party is not forgotten. Now that the economy is stabilised, there’s no other fear for the country except upward movement and sustained growth, I can assure you,” Tinubu said.

 

Thousands of terrorists killed

The president also gave an update on security, stating that thousands of terrorists and bandits had been neutralised across the country, and the fear of insecurity was gradually declining.

“You can see the fear is going down, but we still have to be very serious and vigilant. We must put additional investment in our people, retain them, and ensure they feel accommodated. Security is not negotiable,” he said.

President Tinubu welcomed Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, as well as other political leaders who recently defected to the APC, assuring them that the party’s doors remain open.

He also congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his mandate, adding with a smile, “We saw his dancing steps after the judgement.”

The president praised the launch of the newly introduced Edo Line and pledged continuous collaboration with party leaders across the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, APC governors, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and other party stakeholders attended the NEC meeting.

 

Yilwatda Resumes Office, Vows To Lead Party To Victory

 

The minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has begun work as the new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Yilwatda from Plateau State emerged as the APC national chairman during the 14th meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Thursday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Addressing members of the National Working Committee (NWC), party supporters, staff and associates who accompanied him to the APC National Secretariat, Abuja, the new chairman promised to work with other leaders to strengthen the party for electoral victories and the consolidation of democracy.

The party’s 2023 governorship election candidate in Plateau State said the APC was open to welcoming new members, including governors and lawmakers, amongst others, declaring that with such expansion, 2027 electoral victory is a done deal for the party.

“As I said in my acceptance speech, all of us here, especially the National Working Committee, are the mechanics. The party is a vehicle. We will fix it, drive it, work on it, and ensure that we get to the destination of our choice.

 

“It’s our collective effort, and I’m sure by the time we put our hands on the deck collectively, this party will be great, this party will be the joy and the pride and the light of the entire nation, and that’s what I look forward to this party becoming under our collective leadership.

 

“Last but not least, I appreciate Nigerians supporting APC, standing by APC. Our doors are open to welcome new members. We look forward to having more governors, more senators, more National Assembly members, more local government chairmen and more members of the party join our party. We will expand beyond bounds. By God’s grace, I’m sure the 2027 election is a done deal for APC,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, in a minor reshuffle, the then national legal adviser, Professor Abdulkarim Kana from Nasarawa State (North Central), was made deputy national secretary, while Murtala Kankia from Katsina State (North West) emerged national legal adviser.

Meanwhile, the former deputy national secretary, Festus Fuanter, who is also from Plateau State, resigned his position.

 

Who is Yilwatda?

 

Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, an engineer and academic, is a professor of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

 

He was born on August 8, 1968 in Dungung village in Kanke LGA of Plateau State.

 

He was the APC flag bearer in the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State. After that unsuccessful outing, President Tinubu appointed him the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development in October 2024.

 

Between July 2017 – December 2021, he was Resident Electoral Commissioner (INEC) in Benue State.

 

Yilwatda was the ICT director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, for 12 years.

 

From 1981 to 1986, he attended Boys’ Secondary School (BSS) Gindiri and the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, for his degree programme.

 

Yilwatda’s Time At INEC

 

The new APC national chairman was appointed a Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and posted to Benue State as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in July 2017.

 

Yilwatda conducted one of the crucial elections in Benue State, the 2019 polls, which were the test of political supremacy between the then Governor Samuel Ortom and his estranged political godfather, Senator George Akume, the present Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

 

In the build-up to the 2019 general election, Ortom defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which fielded him as the governorship candidate.

 

The federal government-backed APC fielded a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, as its candidate for the 2019 polls.

 

Ahead of the 2019 election, the political environment was fully charged with the state government raising the alarm over the planned use of federal might to disrupt the election.

 

However, the outcome of the election organised by Yilwatda saw the PDP win all three Senatorial seats and six  out of the 11 House of Representatives seats in the state, while the APC won only one.

 

Also, at the governorship and State Assembly elections, Ortom won after polling 434,473 votes to defeat Jime of the APC, who garnered 345,155 votes. The PDP aslo won the majority of the seats in the Benue State House of Assembly.

 

Another notable election he conducted was that of Benue’s northwest senatorial district, in which Akume’s bid for the Senate was thwarted after he was defeated by one of his political sons, the then-House of Representatives member Hon. Emmanuel Orker Jev.

 

The professor of engineering also served on the committee that developed the operational framework and guidelines for IDP voting in Nigeria during his tenure as INEC commissioner.

 

He worked with international partners and civil society organisations to innovatively set up schools for IDP kids and empowered women with skills that metamorphosed into a cooperative to reduce poverty in the camps.

 

Yilwatda also worked with the office of the United Nations Representative to West Africa and the Sahel in Senegal and other partners to hold 66 town hall meetings to negotiate peace with critical political actors in Benue State ahead of the 2019 polls.

 

He was also part of the team sent to understudy the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa in preparation for the 2019 general election.

 

Plateau APC Applauds Yilwatda’s Choice

 

The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has stated that Professor Nentawe Yilwatda’s choice inspires an awakening of confidence in the people of Plateau State, which requires reciprocity from the people of the state.

 

The party, in a statement signed by the state acting publicity secretary Shittu Bamaiyi, said that for the second time in Nigeria’s political trajectory, a native of Plateau State had emerged as the leader of the ruling party in the country.

According to the statement, “This is coming after Chief Solomon Lar, of blessed memory. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has achieved another milestone in the political history and development of Plateau State by becoming the national chairman of the APC through a unanimous endorsement by the National Executive Committee, the highest organ of the party.

He pointed out Yilwatda, as a minister, spent barely nine months in office but had won the hearts of Nigerians and members of the international community due to his outstanding performance.

The party maintained that his outstanding performance as a member of the Federal Executive Council, integrity, capacity, and pedigree might have been contributory factors in making him the ultimate choice by the power brokers and members of the National Executive Council of the Party

The statement added that Professor Nentawe’s choice recognises capacity and competence, stressing that the new youthful national chairman of the APC represents vibrancy, intelligence, fearlessness, faithfulness, and patriotism.

“The people of Plateau State, particularly APC supporters, will ever remain grateful to President Tinubu for picking one of their own to occupy such an exalted position and also reiterate their unshaken resolve to always support him at all times.

 

Ganduje congratulates Yilwatda

 

Meanwhile, the immediate past APC national, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has congratulated Professor Nentawe Yilwatda on his emergence as the party’s new national chairman.

In a statement he personally signed, Ganduje described Prof. Yilwatda’s emergence as strategic, noting that it comes at a critical period in the party’s life.

The former governor of Kano state also expressed profound confidence in the capacity, intellect, maturity and administrative competence of the new chairman to move the party forward

The former chairman also used the opportunity to commend the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) and other party organs for ensuring a transparent and consensus-driven process that led to Prof. Yilwatda’s emergence.

Ganduje also tasked the new national chairman to build on the solid foundations and legacies he (Ganduje) laid during his tenure, just as he himself had built on the efforts and achievements of his own predecessor.

He expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their statesmanlike roles and wisdom in guiding the party through the transition process that culminated in Yilwatda’s emergence.