President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The appointment, which comes just hours before the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for 2:00 PM today in Abuja, marks a significant shift in the leadership of the ruling party. Yilwatda replaces Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who voluntarily stepped down due to reported health concerns.
Reliable sources confirmed that the decision was made during a closed-door meeting held late Wednesday night at the Presidential Villa. The meeting, presided over by President Tinubu, was attended by APC governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and other high-ranking party stakeholders.
A senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the choice of Yilwatda was informed by the party’s desire for fresh leadership, especially someone not deeply entrenched in the party’s existing power blocs. “The President and the APC leadership wanted a new face—someone with technocratic experience and untainted political capital,” the source said.
Dr. Yilwatda’s religious identity also reportedly influenced the decision, as the party seeks to maintain a sense of inclusiveness and regional-religious balance in its leadership structure.
Prior to his ministerial appointment in 2023, Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate for Plateau State in the 2023 general elections. Though unsuccessful at the polls, he gained national recognition for his campaign’s focus on digital governance and youth engagement.
He also previously served as a Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benue State, further bolstering his administrative credentials.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yilwatda hails from a Christian cleric family and holds academic qualifications in engineering and public administration. His technocratic background and cross-sectoral experience are seen as assets that could help reposition the APC ahead of future elections.
The official announcement of his appointment is expected to be ratified at today’s NEC meeting, which will also address other pressing matters relating to party unity and preparations for upcoming state and local elections.
With Yilwatda’s emergence, political watchers say the APC may be signaling a shift toward a new generation of leadership aimed at broadening the party’s appeal and enhancing internal cohesion.
