President Bola Tinubu has reportedly named Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, currently serving as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, ending days of uncertainty about who would take over from Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down citing health reasons.
According to Daily Sun,a Nigerian daily Newspaper, Prof.Nentawe has been selected as the ruling APC’s Acting National Chairman.He takes over from the former Governor of Kano State , Abdullahi Umar Ganduje,who resigned a few weeks ago as a result of health challenges.
This selection followed closed-door meetings involving Tinubu and key APC figures, including governors and stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
A member of the APC’s National Working Committee said Yilwatda was chosen to bring democratic depth to the role, breaking away from the pattern of career politicians dominating the seat.
His appointment was also seen as a step toward balancing religious representation in the party’s leadership, with leaders calling it a calculated decision.Yilwatda is a Christian from Plateau State in North-Central Nigerian
Yilwatda previously ran for Governor in Plateau State under the APC in 2023, gaining attention for his policy-driven campaign.
He became a Federal Commissioner at INEC in 2017, overseeing Benue State’s electoral activities during his term.
With credentials in Engineering, he holds memberships in COREN, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, and other professional bodies.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government, Yilwatda comes from a clerical family and has years of administrative and electoral experience.
One APC source said, “The choice of Yilwatda is both symbolic and strategic—it’s time for a fresh direction.”
