Abuja, 24 July 2025 – In a significant development for Nigeria’s ruling party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has been selected as the new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the endorsement of his nomination by President Bola Tinubu and governors elected on the party’s platform. The decision, reached during a closed-door meeting in Abuja late on Wednesday, is set to be ratified at the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting later today.
Professor Yilwatda, 56, from Plateau State in the North-Central geopolitical zone, replaces Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who recently stepped down citing health concerns. The appointment adheres to the party’s zoning formula, which allocates the chairmanship to the North-Central region, encompassing states such as Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau.
A seasoned academic and public servant, Professor Yilwatda brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously served as an engineering lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi and held the position of Resident Electoral Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021, where he oversaw elections in several states including Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers, and Cross River. In December 2021, he resigned from INEC to join the APC and contested as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 general elections, though he was unsuccessful against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contender. More recently, President Tinubu appointed him as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Party sources indicate that Professor Yilwatda’s Christian faith played a role in his selection, aiming to promote inclusivity within the APC, particularly as both the President and Vice President are Muslims. A senior party official, speaking anonymously, praised the nominee, stating: “He is young, suave, well-educated, and doesn’t carry the usual political baggage. We believe he can give the party a new face and restore credibility ahead of future elections.”
The move comes amid efforts to address internal rifts and bolster the APC’s standing, which has faced challenges including leadership instability and waning support in certain regions. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, party leaders hope Professor Yilwatda’s leadership will unify factions and enhance the organisation’s electoral prospects.
The NEC meeting today is expected to formalise the appointment, marking a new chapter for the APC under Professor Yilwatda’s stewardship.
