The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially named Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman during the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
His appointment comes on the heels of the resignation of former chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on June 27, 2025, due to health concerns.
Yilwatda, a 56-year-old engineer, academic, and seasoned public servant from Plateau State, was unanimously endorsed by party stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the APC Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
His nomination was proposed by PGF Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, during a high-level session that extended into the early hours of Thursday.
Party insiders say Yilwatda’s emergence marks a deliberate shift toward technocratic leadership, as the APC seeks to reposition itself ahead of future political engagements.
Profile of a Technocrat
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yilwatda brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience to the role. He holds a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (1992), a Master’s from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and a member of professional bodies including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Solar Society of Nigeria.
Yilwatda’s professional journey spans nearly three decades across both the public and private sectors. He served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021, where he notably facilitated inclusive voting for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and persons with disabilities.
Earlier, he led the ICT unit at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, for 12 years and played key roles in major national projects, such as the World Bank-funded Nigeria Education and Research Network (NgREN) and UNICEF’s cold chain energy systems for vaccine preservation.
Political Trajectory
In 2022, Yilwatda resigned from INEC to pursue his political ambition, winning the APC governorship ticket in Plateau State. He contested the 2023 election but lost to PDP candidate Caleb Mutfwang. He, however, earned widespread commendation for his dignified acceptance of the Supreme Court’s verdict, further cementing his image as a principled leader.
Recognising his administrative expertise, President Tinubu appointed him Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development in October 2024—a portfolio he is expected to retain alongside his new position as APC National Chairman.
Regional Dynamics and Internal Politics
Yilwatda’s appointment follows weeks of internal consultations, lobbying, and negotiations within the party, especially after Ganduje’s departure left a temporary leadership void. While the chairmanship had been zoned to the North Central region, it was briefly held on an interim basis by Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori.
Stakeholders from the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, had actively campaigned for the position to return to the region in line with internal zoning arrangements—a demand now fulfilled with Yilwatda’s confirmation.
His appointment is widely seen as a balancing act between regional equity and merit-based leadership.
Credit: PM News
