KEY POINTS

• Professor Nentawe Yilwatda appointed as APC’s new National Chairman during NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa.

• His consensus emergence is seen as a unifying step to reposition the party ahead of key governorship elections.

• Yilwatda brings technocratic experience and grassroots credibility, with a mandate to oversee APC’s reform and reconciliation process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, as its new National Chairman.

His emergence was announced during the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The position became vacant following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down in June citing personal health concerns. Yilwatda’s selection, described by party insiders as a “consensus-driven decision,” was ratified by the NEC and is seen as a strategic move to restore party cohesion and prepare for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Edo, and Ondo states.

A seasoned technocrat and former gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State, Yilwatda is widely regarded for his policy expertise, administrative competence, and deep grassroots connections. Many within the party believe that these qualities made him the natural choice to lead the APC at this crucial moment.

“His emergence reflects the party’s desire for a blend of academic insight, political loyalty, and grassroots orientation,” said one senior APC official who spoke under anonymity.

The NEC meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was attended by prominent figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, all APC governors, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and various stakeholders from across the six geopolitical zones also participated in the highly anticipated session.

A strategic shift for stability and unity

The leadership transition comes at a sensitive time for the APC, with internal restructuring efforts ongoing and preparations intensifying for several high-stakes elections. Yilwatda’s appointment is expected to mark a turning point in the party’s efforts to rebuild its internal trust, especially after months of factional tension and regional competition.

“This is a moment to strengthen the foundation of our party. We must rally around unity and vision,” President Tinubu reportedly told NEC members during the closed-door deliberations.

Yilwatda, a professor of artificial intelligence and former academic at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, previously contested the Plateau State governorship under the APC banner in 2023. Though unsuccessful in his bid, he earned praise for conducting an issues-based campaign and maintaining party loyalty, which cemented his reputation among both grassroots supporters and senior party leaders.

His new role places him at the forefront of APC’s electoral strategy, especially as the party seeks to counter opposition advances and solidify its support base nationwide. Observers say that his leadership style will be pivotal in managing relationships across the party’s diverse ideological blocs and resolving lingering tensions from the post-2023 general election period.

Civil society groups and political analysts have welcomed Yilwatda’s emergence but have urged the new chairman to prioritize transparency, inclusiveness, and policy-driven leadership.

“The APC cannot afford another season of internal rifts. It must focus on delivering governance, not just winning elections,” said Dr. Halima Usman, a political analyst based in Abuja.

Yilwatda is expected to hit the ground running, overseeing preparations for upcoming national congresses, managing the APC’s digital voter registration and e-membership platform rollout, and engaging stakeholders on national integration efforts.

As he takes the reins of Africa’s most populous ruling party, expectations remain high for transformative leadership that can restore the APC’s appeal and stabilize its internal dynamics.