In a significant political development, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, was sworn in as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The announcement, which followed weeks of speculation and intense consultations, marks a pivotal moment for the ruling party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The motion for Yilwatda’s nomination was moved by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. Yilwatda was immediately sworn in following his confirmation, succeeding Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned on June 27, 2025, citing health concerns. Ganduje’s tenure had been marred by internal party rifts and allegations of financial impropriety, prompting calls for fresh leadership.
Professor Yilwatda, a 56-year-old academic and technocrat from Plateau State, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, he is a registered engineer with affiliations to professional bodies such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers. A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021, Yilwatda supervised key elections in Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers, and Cross River states. His political credentials include serving as the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 elections and as the state coordinator for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Organisation.
Yilwatda’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to address religious and regional balance within the APC, particularly given the Muslim-Muslim presidency of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Party insiders highlight that Yilwatda’s Christian faith and North-Central origin align with the party’s zoning arrangement, which had previously allocated the chairmanship to the region before Ganduje’s tenure. The decision also reflects the party’s intent to prioritize technocratic leadership over traditional politicians, with sources citing Yilwatda’s administrative expertise and grassroots appeal as key factors in his selection.
The appointment followed a series of high-level meetings involving President Tinubu, APC governors, and other stakeholders at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday night. While former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, was also considered a strong contender, Yilwatda emerged as the consensus candidate, enjoying widespread support from the Progressive Governors’ Forum and party chieftains. Reports indicate that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also backed Yilwatda’s candidacy, underscoring the significant political weight behind his appointment.
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