The All Progressives Congress (APC) has put an end to weeks of speculation, power play, and internal tension with the surprising appointment of Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new national chairman. His emergence came amid palpable anxiety ahead of the party’s seventh National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was unusually moved to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa—reviving memories of 2020 when a similar meeting led to the abrupt dissolution of the then National Working Committee (NWC).
Yilwatda’s appointment shocked many within the APC and the wider political space. Formerly the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and also a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, his name was largely absent from the shortlist of heavyweights expected to replace the outgoing chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down due to health concerns. Big political figures from the North-Central zone, including former governors and senators, had dominated the projections, but in a dramatic twist, Yilwatda’s candidacy emerged victorious—seemingly by presidential endorsement.
The decision sent ripples through the party, with some celebrating what they view as a strategic masterstroke and others left disillusioned by the upending of tradition. Historically, the role has been occupied by political juggernauts—especially former governors. Yilwatda, considered by many as a technocrat with limited political exposure, broke that mold.
Nevertheless, insiders suggest that his loyalty to the presidency, his regional and religious balancing factor, and his electoral knowledge were pivotal in tilting the odds in his favor. His previous experience with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is said to give him a deep understanding of Nigeria’s electoral system—an asset some believe could prove critical in shaping APC’s fortunes heading into 2027.
Commendations have poured in from party stalwarts, including former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, immediate past chairman Ganduje, and Plateau’s former governor Senator Simon Lalong. They hailed Yilwatda’s intellect, technocratic background, and potential to inject fresh leadership energy into the party.
However, outside the APC fold, his emergence has drawn skepticism. Opposition voices, particularly from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticized the party’s decision to host its NEC meeting at the presidential villa—a public institution—calling it a breach of democratic decorum. They expressed concern over Yilwatda’s INEC background being used not to strengthen electoral transparency but potentially to benefit the ruling party through backdoor maneuvers.
Despite the divided opinions, Yilwatda has wasted no time in defining his vision. Speaking during his first official meeting with the NWC at the party headquarters, he expressed confidence in the APC’s future, boldly declaring that the 2027 elections are already a “done deal” for the party. He extended a call for unity among party members and vowed to welcome defectors from other parties, promising a more expansive, inclusive APC.
In a tone that reflected both optimism and caution, he appealed to his colleagues in the NWC and other stakeholders to work with him and avoid the pitfalls that had unseated his predecessors. Acknowledging the weight of responsibility now resting on his shoulders, Yilwatda emphasized collective effort as key to propelling the APC to new heights.
His emergence signals a new chapter for the ruling party, one that will be closely watched by allies and opposition alike as Nigeria edges toward its next general election.