Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Takes the Helm as APC’s New National Chairman

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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