Category Politics

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
13 September 2025

The political tides in Rivers State are set for another dramatic turn as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to compile a comprehensive handover note before bowing out of his six-month emergency stewardship. The directive, issued after a closed-door meeting in Aso Rock last week, is being interpreted as a green light for the long-awaited return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Reliable sources confirm that Ibas, who is currently on a 10-day vacation, was handed a no-nonsense instruction to present a detailed report of his interim reign before his official exit. The handover file, expected to reach Tinubu’s desk two days before Ibas returns, must capture inherited funds from Fubara’s sidelined government, internally generated revenue, expenditure trails, and a clear breakdown of projects executed during his brief but controversial tenure.

This development appears to slam the brakes on lobbying efforts by some lawmakers in Abuja, who had been pushing for an extension of Ibas’s stay in power. Had they succeeded, Rivers would have remained under emergency rule until January 2026, delaying the restoration of democratic governance.

Instead, all eyes are now on September 18, when Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the state’s embattled 32-member House of Assembly are expected to return to their respective offices—unless, as political watchers caution, fresh twists derail the plan.

But Fubara’s return is being tied with invisible strings. Presidency insiders whisper that the governor has signed onto strict conditions to reclaim his seat. Chief among them is his pledge not to seek re-election in 2027, effectively making him a one-term occupant of Brick House. Even more, Fubara is said to have submitted to the political supremacy of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, conceding the power to nominate candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers’ local government elections.

The suspended governor has also reportedly agreed to settle the backlog of allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers suspended from the House of Assembly. In return, the legislators are expected to sheath their swords and grant him the legislative backing required to complete his term without further turbulence.

For many observers, the unfolding script is less about justice and more about power chess, with Tinubu acting as the grandmaster ensuring that the pieces fall into place. Rivers State, with its oil-rich status and history of political volatility, has once again become a national spectacle, with its fate decided in hushed meetings far from Port Harcourt’s streets.

As the countdown begins, uncertainty lingers. Will Fubara’s comeback restore calm or ignite a fresh round of political fireworks? Will Ibas’s handover report expose fault lines or provide a smooth runway for transition? For now, what is certain is that Tinubu has set the stage, and Rivers State is bracing itself for the next act in its high-stakes political drama.

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RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
29 August 2025

In the corridors of power in Equatorial Guinea, where wealth is often hidden behind oil riches and political connections, a startling scandal has reverberated across the nation’s highest echelons—and the world beyond.

Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a once-respected figure heading the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has now been stripped of credibility after a verdict from a Bioko provincial court sentenced him to a total of 18 years in prison for corruption-related charges—including embezzlement, unlawful enrichment, and abuse of power   .

The court’s breakdown:8 years for embezzling public funds,4 years, 5 months for illegal enrichment and 6 years and 1 day for abusing his power.

In addition to the prison sentence, Engonga has been fined over 910 million CFA francs—roughly US$1.5 million—and barred from holding any public office during his sentence  .

But corruption wasn’t the only sin the court cited. The scandal’s true audacity lies in its lurid side: during an investigation, authorities discovered more than 400 explicit videos in Engonga’s private files—filmed with high-profile women, including wives and relatives of top government officials—content that quickly spread like wildfire online    .

Described by insiders as a calculated abuse of his office, Engonga’s double life—from anti-corruption enforcer to featured actor in a sextape scandal—underscores a troubling hypocrisy. The footage was reportedly consensual, according to some accounts, but the optics were damning, with tapes featuring intimate scenes recorded in his office and leaked while he was in custody   .

As details unfolded, the government scrambled to contain damage, deploying what it called a “zero-tolerance” policy. Vice President Teodoro ‘Teodorín’ Nguema Obiang Mangue, the President’s son, condemned the behavior; he pledged to install surveillance cameras in all government offices and warned that any future misconduct within office premises would result in summary dismissal   .

The implications extend beyond the prison cell. The dramatic fallout has spotlighted not just a failing of one man, but systemic rot within a regime where political families and oil wealth forge generations of unchecked privilege. Observers suggest that the scandal may also have doubled as a calculated purge of a political contender—a glimpse into the silent power struggles within the ruling elite .

The Ministry of Justice, however, hailed the ruling as a statement of principle. “This verdict demonstrates the government’s commitment to fighting corruption,” a spokesperson declared. “No official, regardless of position, stands above the law.”

As Engonga begins serving his sentence at Black Beach Prison, the public reaction remains one of outrage and intrigue. Beyond the titillating headlines, this saga lays bare the consequences when the guardians of integrity fall prey to their darkest impulses—and the state they are sworn to protect retaliates to preserve its facade.

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RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
14 August 2025

In the turbulent theatre of Rivers State politics, Nyesom Wike has once again proven himself a master tactician, pulling the strings with precision to reclaim the grassroots machinery that fuels political dominance.

On Wednesday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor stood at the heart of a spectacle — the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Port Harcourt. The air was thick with loyalty. Party chairperson Aeron Chukwuemeke and suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, both Wike loyalists, showered effusive praise on the man they openly hailed as “leader” and “father” of the party in the state. Flanked by 26 lawmakers loyal to Wike, Amaewhule’s words underscored a political reality few now contest: the minister has consolidated his hold on both the PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), whose state chairman, Tony Okocha, is firmly in his camp.

Conspicuously absent from the day’s choreography was Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists. Their presence was reduced to a backdrop image — symbolic, yet politically telling.

Wike and Fubara’s relationship has long since collapsed into a bitter feud, splintering the legislature into rival camps and sparking a political crisis that no presidential intervention has managed to tame. The Supreme Court’s intervention earlier this year — voiding local elections conducted under Fubara, reinstating pro-Wike lawmakers, and freezing state allocations until a budget is presented to the “legitimate” assembly — shifted momentum decisively in Wike’s favour.

Once restored, the pro-Wike assembly wasted no time issuing an impeachment notice to the governor, deepening the stalemate. A pipeline explosion in the state only heightened tensions, and by March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending both Fubara and the legislature. The president installed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator, a controversial move that drew criticism from legal and civic groups.

Ibas swiftly dissolved Fubara-era boards and commissions, installing new ones. Among them was a reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, which moved with striking speed to fix August 30 for local elections — less than two months away.

Despite legal challenges and public protests over holding polls under emergency rule, the electoral process surged ahead. Primaries produced an unmistakable pattern: Wike’s loyalists emerged as flag-bearers not only for the PDP but also for the APC.

With both major parties’ grassroots candidates now drawn from his stable, Wike’s grip on Rivers politics appears unshakable — a dual-party dominance rare in Nigeria’s fiercely competitive political landscape.

For Governor Fubara, the symbolism is stark: the very base that fuels political survival in Rivers — the councillors, chairpersons, and ward mobilisers — is now firmly in his rival’s camp. For Wike, it is the art of political consolidation writ large, a calculated return to the commanding heights of his home state’s politics, executed with timing, loyalty, and an eye on the levers that matter most.

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RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
13 August 2025

In a dramatic turn of events that has seized public attention, the Federal Government has moved decisively to douse two raging tempests in Nigeria’s aviation sector — ordering the release of detained Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and slashing the flight ban imposed on Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM 1.

The announcement came on Wednesday from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, following high-level consultations with aviation stakeholders and a careful review of the incidents that had sparked national debate.

Emmanson’s case stemmed from a heated confrontation aboard an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo on August 10, 2025, when she allegedly refused to turn off her mobile phone during take-off preparations. Matters escalated when she struck a flight attendant, leading to her forcible removal from the aircraft, subsequent arrest, and incarceration at Kirikiri Prison. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) responded with a lifetime flying ban, citing its zero-tolerance stance on violence.

Keyamo revealed that Emmanson displayed “genuine remorse” during police questioning in the presence of her lawyer — a key factor in the airline’s decision to withdraw its complaint. The AON also agreed to lift the lifetime ban, with formal release procedures now underway. “This is not an endorsement of misconduct,” Keyamo stressed, “but an acknowledgement that contrition deserves a second chance.”

The minister’s peace-making extended to the case of KWAM 1, whose August 5, 2025 altercation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, had made headlines. The Fuji legend was accused of refusing to surrender a prohibited flask — allegedly containing alcohol — before boarding a ValueJet flight. Witnesses claimed he poured its contents on crew and security staff, then proceeded onto the tarmac, disrupting aircraft movements.

Initially, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) handed him a one-year ban and lodged a criminal complaint. But on Wednesday, Keyamo announced a reduced penalty of just one month, coupled with an innovative resolution: FAAN will enlist KWAM 1 as an ambassador for airport security awareness, transforming the incident into a platform for positive advocacy.

The leniency also extends to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, both suspended over the same incident. Their licenses will be restored after serving the same one-month ban and completing a professional reappraisal programme.

Keyamo used the moment to highlight a shared responsibility between passengers and airline staff. “No party in these disputes is entirely without blame,” he remarked. “We must all embrace civility and accountability if we are to keep our skies safe and our airports calm.”

To prevent future flare-ups, the ministry will convene a retreat next week for aviation and security agencies to sharpen skills in de-escalating conflicts. Airlines will also review the behaviour of frontline staff towards travellers.

“These acts of clemency draw a line under two turbulent episodes,” Keyamo concluded, “but they reaffirm that safety and respect remain the non-negotiable cornerstones of our aviation sector.”

For now, the storms have passed — and Nigeria’s skies may once again promise smoother journeys.

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RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
10 August 2025

Nigeria is in mourning following the passing of Chief Audu Ogbeh, a seasoned politician whose career spanned more than four decades across several political parties and national roles. The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Buhari administration died on Saturday, August 9, at the age of 78, according to a statement from his family.

Born in Efugo-Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Ogbeh entered politics in the late 1970s and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Deputy Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly before being appointed Minister of Communications in the Second Republic at the age of 32 under President Shehu Shagari.

In 2001, Ogbeh took the reins as National Chairman of the PDP, leading Africa’s then-largest political party through critical moments in Nigeria’s democratic history. Though he resigned in 2005 following disagreements with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, his legacy as a principled leader remained untarnished.

Ogbeh returned to national service in 2015, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. During his tenure, he championed agricultural reforms, supported local food production, and promoted agro-entrepreneurship, policies that reshaped Nigeria’s food security landscape.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his condolence message, described Ogbeh as “a patriot whose wisdom and commitment to national development left an impact on Nigeria’s political life.” He highlighted the late politician’s contributions to policy discussions and practical approaches to governance.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, paid a condolence visit to Ogbeh’s Abuja residence, calling him “a distinguished public servant” who contributed to governance at multiple levels. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, reacting from Uganda, described him as “a committed patriot and believer in participatory democracy.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred to Ogbeh as “a dedicated Nigerian who played a role in shaping our democratic journey,” while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar noted that he was “a development-minded politician who blended intellectualism with pragmatism.”

Former Senate President David Mark called Ogbeh “a rare breed of political leader who believed in justice, fairness and equity,” and recalled their longstanding political association. Former Delta State Governor James Ibori recounted a political encounter during the 2003 elections in which Ogbeh, then PDP chairman, declined to block his candidacy despite political pressure.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed his condolences, calling Ogbeh “a guiding light for generations of Nigerian leaders. ”The Northern States Governors’ Forum described Ogbeh as “an accomplished leader and seasoned politician,” while the Arewa Consultative Forum noted his contributions to agriculture, highlighting his work in introducing agricultural reform initiatives aimed at improving transparency and mechanisation.

Beyond politics, Ogbeh was known for his interests in farming, education, and writing. A farmer by profession, he combined public service with agricultural advocacy, often championing self-sufficiency and rural development.

Chief Audu Ogbeh’s career reflected Nigeria’s political evolution over the past four decades, moving between parties, holding ministerial posts, and participating in key moments of governance. While reactions to his passing differ in emphasis, there is broad agreement that his contributions spanned politics, agriculture, and public discourse.

He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.

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RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
8 August 2025

Nigeria’s journalistic landscape stands still as tributes pour in for Dr Doyin Abiola, the formidable matriarch of Nigerian media and widow of the late MKO Abiola, whose death at the age of 82 marks the end of an era defined by fearless journalism, democratic advocacy, and trailblazing leadership.

Dr Abiola, celebrated as the first woman to helm a national newspaper in Nigeria, passed away on Tuesday night. Her passing has drawn an emotional cascade of tributes from leaders across the political and media spectrum, highlighting a legacy etched in courage, intellect, and patriotic resilience.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a deeply personal tribute, hailed Dr Abiola as a “towering icon of the press, a brave Amazon in the fight for democracy, and a relentless champion of women’s empowerment.” Reflecting on her pivotal role during the June 12, 1993 crisis, Tinubu recalled how she fearlessly challenged the military regime that annulled her husband’s electoral victory. “She stood not just as a wife but as a soldier of democracy in her own right,” the President declared.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lauded her as “a fiery journalist, human rights crusader, and a symbol of moral clarity,” while Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State emphasised her strength during Nigeria’s most volatile political periods. “Her legacy goes beyond journalism—she epitomised sacrifice, resilience, and moral conviction,” Abiodun said.

A journalism scholar with a PhD in Communications and Politics, Dr Abiola joined the Concord Press in its early days and swiftly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief—a historic feat for a woman in the male-dominated newsroom of the 1980s. Under her leadership, Concord became not only a household name but a voice of the people, often at great personal and institutional risk during military clampdowns.

Her colleagues remember her not only for her intellect but for her maternal leadership. Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, described her as “a boss, a mother, and a mentor rolled into one—a woman of uncommon grace, grit, and genius.”

The Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), mourning one of its own, called her “a rare breed in media history” and hailed her as the first woman to sit atop a national editorial desk.

Dr Doyin Abiola leaves behind a powerful legacy—one that shaped modern Nigerian journalism, inspired generations of women, and anchored a nation’s conscience during its darkest democratic trials.

The nation bows in respect as the media icon of Nigerian Journalism takes her final curtain.

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RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
3 August 2025

A thunderous celebration over Nigeria’s footballing triumph has given way to a thunderstorm of outrage, as President Bola Tinubu’s jaw-dropping gift of $100,000 (₦150 million) to each member of the victorious Super Falcons has opened old wounds among Nigeria’s forgotten heroes—retired police officers and military veterans.

On Monday, the triumphant Super Falcons, having staged a sensational comeback to clinch their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, were hosted at the Presidential Villa. But the real kicker wasn’t the photo ops or the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger—it was the President’s staggering gift: $100,000 (N150m) to each player and $50,000 to technical crew members, plus a three-bedroom flat in the FCT’s Renewed Hope Estate.

While the glittering reward drew cheers from some quarters, it ignited a storm of criticism elsewhere—most notably from retired military and police personnel who feel abandoned by the country they bled for.

Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore captured the national mood with a blistering reaction:

“Life is brutally unfair to Nigerian police officers. After 35 years of service, they receive just ₦2 million as gratuity. But athletes get ₦150 million for a single tournament? That’s beyond inequality—it’s state-sanctioned insult.”

His words have found resonance across barracks and retired officers’ associations, where bitterness now simmers beneath weary uniforms and hospital bills.

“A Game of Misplaced Priorities”

Punch gathered that among the loudest critics are ex-servicemen under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), who view the President’s gesture as a glaring indictment of government priorities.

Lukmon Aderibigbe, a retired army corporal who served in active combat against insurgents, struggled to conceal his grief:

“How do you reward a 90-minute football game with N150m, yet soldiers who risk their lives daily for 35 years retire into suffering?” he asked, his voice breaking. “My friend died from injuries the army refused to treat because NHIS said gunshot wounds weren’t covered.”

The bitterness runs deep. Aderibigbe claims his own gratuity was a mere N2m after 15 years of active duty, and that attempts to have his pension recalculated following the new minimum wage fell on deaf ears.

“I Took the Bullets, Got Peanuts”

Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu, a former Lance Corporal wounded by a suicide bomber in 2017, paints an equally bleak picture.

“N150m can’t replace what I lost,” he told PUNCH. “I paid for my treatment myself. Thirteen years of service, and all I got was a little over N2m. That’s the value of my sacrifice?”

He isn’t alone. In Yobe, ex-Corporal Abdullahi Idris, now walking with a limp from a service injury, said his N72,900 monthly pension barely keeps him alive. “The government has made us third-class citizens,” he said. “We sacrificed our youth. Now we are forgotten.”

Retired Police Officers: ‘Why Not Us?’

It’s not just the military. Retired police officers under the CPS are furious too. Mannir Lawal, a leader among them, lamented:

“We were told there’s no money. Then suddenly, N150m appears for footballers. That insult cuts deep.”

Another, Buba Danjuma, accused the government of favouring spectacle over service. “The girls played for 90 minutes. We served for decades, many of us dying in the line of duty. Yet we are rewarded with suffering and silence.”

Presidency Stands Firm

However, the Presidency is unmoved. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the criticisms as unrelated:

“You cannot link their reward to other sectors. Nigerians are proud of the Falcons’ achievement. The gesture is deserved,” he stated.

But for the thousands of retired soldiers and police officers facing unpaid entitlements, neglected injuries, and rising costs of living, the message is clear: their battles are long over—and so, it seems, is the nation’s gratitude.

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RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
1 August 2025

In a bold and thunderous political maneuver, former Senator and fiery political crusader, Dino Melaye, has officially severed ties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—a party that once hoisted him to national prominence. The former Kogi West lawmaker has now pitched his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in what many analysts see as a defiant protest against Nigeria’s floundering political establishment.

The dramatic declaration came via Melaye’s verified X account (formerly Twitter), where he posted a signed resignation letter addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. Just hours later, a video surfaced showing him jubilantly receiving his ADC membership card—a symbolic handshake into a party he now sees as more aligned with his vision for a reimagined Nigeria.

“This is not just about leaving a party,” Melaye asserted in a follow-up statement. “It’s about reclaiming integrity, principle, and purpose in Nigerian politics.”

Melaye’s parting words, laced with frustration and moral reckoning, left no ambiguity. “I can no longer operate under a structure that has lost touch with the people’s pain and Nigeria’s pulse,” he wrote, calling out the PDP’s alleged inertia in addressing the “political termites eating away at the soul of the nation.”

The resignation letter, dated July 4, 2025, did more than announce an exit—it signaled a political rebirth. Melaye, known for his flamboyant persona and firebrand oratory, lamented that after years of political labor within the PDP, the party had failed to evolve into a credible alternative capable of confronting Nigeria’s deepening crises.

Political watchers see Melaye’s move as both strategic and symbolic. Having contested the Kogi State governorship under the PDP in 2023, his departure is already sending tremors through the state’s political terrain. The ADC, a party long hovering on the fringes, may now find itself thrust into the spotlight, armed with Melaye’s name recognition and loyal base.

While he expressed gratitude for his past with the PDP, Melaye made it clear that his decision was final. “I leave with no bitterness, but with a burning passion for national transformation,” he said.

As Nigeria inches closer to another electoral cycle, Dino Melaye’s political pivot may just be the first in a series of high-stakes realignments shaking the foundations of conventional party politics. One thing is certain—the man is not done yet.

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RYNI News : By Omotayo Stephen . O
26 July 2025

A quiet storm is sweeping through the United Kingdom’s immigrant workforce — and for thousands of Nigerians, it may soon mean an abrupt and painful return home.

Following a sweeping overhaul of the UK’s immigration policy, the British government has axed over 100 job roles from its Skilled Worker visa eligibility list, triggering widespread anxiety among Nigerian professionals who relied on these positions for legal residency and employment.

The new regulations, which officially came into effect on July 22, 2025, sharply redefine the landscape for foreign workers. The minimum salary threshold for most skilled roles has now surged to £41,700, up from previous figures hovering around £25,000. Only a limited set of roles on the newly minted Temporary Shortage Occupation List remain exempt from the hike — a list that leaves out many roles historically held by migrant workers.

For Nigerians, the implications are dire. Over the past three years, Nigerians have emerged as one of the largest groups securing employment through the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) system — particularly in health, social care, IT, customer service, logistics, and creative industries. But under the new framework, many of these roles — from pharmaceutical technicians to community support workers, interior designers to logistics supervisors — have been stripped of sponsorship eligibility.

What this means, in practical terms as gathered by Saturday PUNCH, is that current CoS holders may not be able to renew their visas when their current contracts expire. Without a valid visa, they could face deportation or be forced to leave voluntarily.

Speaking to The Global Sentinel, Kayode Alabi, a UK-based immigration consultant and CEO of Phika Travels, warned that “many affected Nigerians are already in panic mode.” He added, “If your job has been delisted, you won’t qualify for a new visa or sponsorship. That means your time in the UK is ticking.”

For those in health and care roles, the situation is slightly more nuanced. While the salary threshold remains at £25,600, employers must now prove this is the net amount employees will receive after deductions like accommodation and transport — a hurdle many small care homes may struggle to meet.

Expressing her concerns, one affected Nigerian caregiver, whose visa expires in August, confirmed to Saturday PUNCH , “My role has been delisted. I’ve applied to several companies, but none can meet the salary threshold. I may have to return home.”

Across online forums and diaspora networks, similar stories abound. Some employers have openly stated they cannot adjust salaries in line with the new regulations. Others have frozen recruitment altogether, awaiting clarity.

Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, predicts that over 10,000 Nigerians may be impacted. “The emotional and economic toll is real. People sold properties, left families, and made long-term plans based on the previous system. Now, everything is up in the air.”

Data from the UK Home Office supports this sobering projection: after a spike to over 26,000 Nigerian Skilled Worker visa approvals in 2023, approvals have already begun to decline sharply in 2024.

As Britain tightens its borders in pursuit of lower net migration, thousands of Nigerian families now face a chilling question: Where do we go from here?

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RYNI News : By Omotayo Stephen . O
25 July 2025

In a dramatic pivot that may redefine the ruling party’s political trajectory, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman, marking a bold strategic shift from traditional political strongmen to technocratic leadership.

Prof. Yilwatda replaces Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the former Governor of Kano State, who stepped down citing health-related concerns. But more than a change of guard, Yilwatda’s emergence signals a party recalibrating its machinery in preparation for turbulent political waters ahead.

A seasoned academic, digital systems engineer, and former INEC commissioner, Yilwatda embodies a hybrid of intellect and grassroots connection. Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, he boasts an impressive academic pedigree: a Bachelor’s in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; a Master’s degree from ATBU Bauchi; and a PhD from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also holds a UN-accredited certificate in e-Governance from Macau, China.

However, it’s not just his academic accomplishments that drew the party’s attention. As the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Plateau State, and state coordinator for the Tinubu/Shettima campaign, Yilwatda demonstrated formidable mobilization skills. Though he lost the gubernatorial contest, his subsequent appointment as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation solidified his standing in President Tinubu’s inner circle.

His political roots run deep, anchored by a close alliance with former Governor Simon Lalong, whose influence in Plateau and at the national level was instrumental in Yilwatda’s swift political rise.

Party insiders say Yilwatda’s selection reflects an urgent desire to infuse the APC with technocratic discipline and generational renewal, as it battles waning popularity and intra-party fissures. With his reputation for transparency during his time at INEC and a reputation for reform-oriented governance, many view his appointment as a strategic gamble that could restore the party’s faltering credibility.

“Yilwatda brings not just pedigree, but precision. He understands systems — both political and institutional,” a senior APC chieftain told reporters shortly after the announcement.

As the broom symbol of the APC seeks to sweep clean its fractured house, all eyes are now on Professor Yilwatda — the soft-spoken intellectual with a hardwired vision. Whether he can unify the party, regain public trust, and navigate the tempest of national politics remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: a new chapter has begun at APC’s headquarters — and it begins with a Professor at the podium.

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