The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria has confirmed the appointment of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the country’s current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as its new National Chairman.
Yilwatda’s emergence was ratified at the 14th Emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling party held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, and presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The 56-year-old former governorship candidate from Plateau State, was nominated by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, and seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. His nomination was then unanimously approved by a voice vote of NEC members.
Prof. Yilwatda succeeds Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned in June 2025 citing “urgent and important personal matters.” Ganduje, a former Governor of Kano State, had taken over the reins of the party in August 2023 following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu, also a former governor of Nasarawa State.
In a swift transition, Yilwatda was immediately sworn-in to office during the NEC session, alongside two other National officers. The emergency meeting also ratified key internal reforms, including an extension of tenure for all Ward, Local government, Zonal, and State Party executives until December 31, 2025.
President Tinubu, in his address to NEC members, congratulated the new Party leadership and emphasized the need for “discipline, unity, and progress” as the APC prepares for future electoral contests. The President also directed Progressive Governors and the FCT Minister to secure land for the construction of a befitting National party secretariat, and called for intensified grassroots mobilisation and new membership registration across the States.
A minute of silence was observed during the meeting in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, led by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Speaking on behalf of the APC Governors, Governor Uzodimma hailed President Tinubu’s leadership and expressed optimism in Yilwatda’s ability to strengthen party structures nationwide.
Prof. Yilwatda’s confirmation comes at a critical time for the APC, as the Party seeks to consolidate power amid recent defections by governors in strategic states and internal calls for reform. He was appointed as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in November 2023 after being nominated by President Tinubu, a month earlier.
Party insiders observed that the elevation of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda to the position of National Chairman of the ruling party reflects a growing push within the APC to blend technocratic competence with grassroots political appeal.
ait.live reports that with this development, the ruling APC in Nigeria enters a new phase under Yilwatda’s leadership, tasked with uniting its ranks and reinforcing its grip ahead of the 2027 general elections.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
