The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially appointed Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as its new National Chairman, marking a significant leadership shift within Nigeria’s ruling party.
The appointment was confirmed on Wednesday following a high-level National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, where Yilwatda was immediately sworn in as National Chairman of the party.
Yilwatda replaces Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned amid ongoing internal consultations over the party’s future strategy and leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda, a seasoned academic, digital systems expert, and former APC governorship candidate in Plateau State, hails from Dungung in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State. Born on 8 August 1968, he brings to the role a unique blend of technocratic experience, digital innovation, and political engagement.
Until his appointment as APC National Chairman, he served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction under President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, a role he assumed in October 2024. As minister, he was responsible for spearheading emergency relief interventions, reducing poverty levels, and enhancing the coordination of social investment programmes nationwide.
Prior to entering politics, Yilwatda was a respected lecturer and ICT Director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He was appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State by INEC in 2017, where he was praised for introducing more accessible and transparent voting systems, particularly for internally displaced persons and persons with disabilities.
His political profile rose in 2022 when he won the APC ticket for the Plateau State governorship race. Despite a narrow defeat in the 2023 general election to PDP’s Caleb Mutfwang, Yilwatda maintained a strong presence in state and national politics.
During his ministerial tenure, Yilwatda was named among Nigeria’s top 50 most influential leaders in the digital economy by IT Edge News Africa in 2024, owing to his commitment to technology-driven policy and youth empowerment initiatives.
In his acceptance speech on Wednesday, Yilwatda pledged to reposition the APC for greater internal unity, digital transformation, and stronger grassroots engagement. “It is a privilege to serve this party that has shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey,” he said. “I am committed to ensuring that our platform remains inclusive, forward-looking, and representative of every Nigerian voice.”
His appointment was widely seen as an effort to inject fresh energy into the APC leadership and attract younger, technocratic minds ahead of the next electoral cycle. Political analysts believe his data-driven approach and reputation for integrity will help stabilise the party amid growing opposition pressure and internal factionalism.
However, Yilwatda’s performance as minister has not been without criticism. In June 2025, the North-Central APC Forum accused him of failing to respond adequately to humanitarian crises in Plateau State, claiming his ministry overlooked several communities affected by violence and displacement. The group also blamed him for the party’s loss in the 2023 Plateau governorship election.
Responding to the criticisms, Yilwatda maintained that his ministry operated with transparency and accountability. His supporters argue that his technocratic background and commitment to evidence-based policy give him a unique advantage in navigating complex national challenges.
Party insiders say his appointment was the outcome of months of consultations involving key stakeholders across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. His elevation to party chairman is also seen as a strategic move to consolidate APC’s influence in the North-Central region, which has increasingly become a political battleground.
With his new role, Prof. Yilwatda is expected to resign from his ministerial post in line with party and constitutional provisions. A formal handover at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is expected within days.
As the APC charts a new course under Yilwatda’s leadership, expectations are high that the party will adopt a more inclusive, reform-oriented, and digitally-driven approach to governance, party affairs, and political mobilisation.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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