The Appointment of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman
The emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as the substantive national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked a range of reactions, with many questioning the political strategies that led to his selection. Nentawe, who currently serves in the federal cabinet as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, assumed the role during the APC’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. His appointment marks the fifth time a new national chairman has taken office since the party’s inception.
Nentawe replaced Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down on June 27 due to health challenges. A former governorship candidate for the APC in Plateau State, Nentawe officially took over at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja after his election. According to sources, his selection followed intense political maneuvering and pressure from North Central stakeholders, who wanted the region to complete the tenure vacated by former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who resigned in 2023 before his term ended.
However, multiple accounts from within the party suggest differing reasons behind the minister’s appointment. Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s National Director of Publicity, explained that Nentawe’s rise was part of a deliberate shift from the tradition of appointing former governors as party chairmen. He noted that the party sought a technocrat to lead it toward the convention, although he admitted that the exact political motivations remain unclear.
Ibrahim also hinted that the decision might have been aimed at pacifying the North Central region and balancing religious sensitivities, especially amid criticism of the Muslim-Muslim ticket. While he acknowledged this possibility, he emphasized that the internal politics of the party are best understood by those involved.
Strategic Moves Ahead of 2027
Insiders have suggested that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team are targeting states that did not vote for him in 2023. Some of his recent appointments in the North are seen as politically calculated moves to gain support ahead of the 2027 elections. Following Ganduje’s resignation, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, served in an acting capacity until Nentawe’s formal appointment.
Political analyst Jackson Lekan Ojo argued that Nentawe was chosen because Tinubu needed a loyal party leader ahead of the 2027 general election. He noted that figures like Al-Makura or Senator Sani Musa from Niger State could have been strong candidates, but they were seen as independent-minded. Ojo added that the religious angle was not a primary factor in the decision.
Nentawe’s Vision and Party Expansion
In his address to the National Working Committee (NWC), party supporters, and other stakeholders, Nentawe pledged to consolidate the APC’s electoral dominance and strengthen democracy. He declared that the party’s doors were open to new members, including governors and lawmakers, expressing confidence that the 2027 elections would be a “done deal” for the APC.
He also confirmed ongoing discussions with key opposition figures, including the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Nentawe stated that defections would happen naturally when the time was right, emphasizing that the APC was the strongest political platform in the country.
Reactions from Within and Outside the Party
Reacting to the development, the acting spokesperson of the APC in Plateau State, Shittu Bamaiyi, said Nentawe’s emergence would boost the party’s chances in the state and increase the likelihood of reclaiming Plateau from the PDP in 2027. Similarly, former governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Lalong, hailed the appointment, calling it a source of joy and inspiration.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed Nentawe’s appointment as a non-threat to its 2027 electoral chances, asserting that the party remains unshakable and confident of victory.
Calls for Ministerial Representation
Following Nentawe’s selection, party loyalists from the Plateau North Senatorial District have begun calling for a ministerial appointment from the zone. Sani Mudi, a former adviser to ex-governor Simon Bako Lalong, argued that the region deserves the ministerial slot, citing its high number of votes.
President Tinubu’s Address and Future Plans
During the NEC meeting, President Tinubu emphasized the need for increased community engagement and responsiveness to citizens’ concerns. He urged governors to deliver progressive change and reiterated the APC’s inclusive posture, welcoming new members and fresh ideas. Tinubu also charged APC governors to work collectively to build a permanent party secretariat in Abuja, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
While acknowledging ongoing economic challenges, Tinubu highlighted progress under his administration, citing a significant increase in revenue collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). He also paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who recently passed away.
