Nentawe Yilwatda’s appointment as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set off a wave of conversations within the party — and for good reason.
Currently serving as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Yilwatda was officially announced as the party’s fifth substantive chairman during the APC’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He steps into the role following the exit of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned on June 27, 2025, due to health issues.
Party insiders say Yilwatda’s rise wasn’t accidental. It came after sustained pressure from North Central party leaders, who were adamant that the region should complete the term left vacant when Abdullahi Adamu stepped down in 2023.
“There was strong advocacy from the North Central. They felt it was only fair for them to reclaim that slot,” said one source familiar with the discussions. “Yilwatda became the middle ground everyone could rally around.”
According to APC’s National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, this marks a deliberate shift away from the party’s old habit of picking former governors for the top job.
“They were looking for a different kind of leadership — someone with technical expertise, not just political mileage,” Ibrahim explained. “There was a desire to try something new, someone who could help organize the party toward the next convention.”
When asked whether religious considerations may have influenced the decision — especially given the party’s ongoing criticism over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket — Ibrahim acknowledged it could have been a factor. “Possibly,” he said. “It’s hard to ignore those dynamics.”
Yilwatda is no stranger to the political field. He previously led the Tinubu/Shettima campaign efforts in Plateau State during the 2023 elections. Though the APC didn’t win the state, party members say he gave it his all and proved his commitment to the campaign.
To some, his appointment signals more than just internal restructuring. It’s seen as a tactical move by President Bola Tinubu to win back influence in states where support has dwindled — particularly in the North Central and North West zones.
Yilwatda’s leadership may just be the beginning of a new chapter for the APC — one that blends political savvy with a more calculated, strategic approach.
