Explained: The Real Reasons Behind APC’s Appointment Of Yilwatda As Chairman

Yilwatda’s Appointment as APC National Chairman Sparks Reactions: Regional Demands, Religious Balance, and Strategic Shift Cited....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda as the substantive National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred mixed reactions within the party, as insiders attribute his emergence to regional lobbying, religious considerations, and a deliberate move away from the usual practice of selecting former governors for the role.

Currently serving as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Yilwatda was officially announced as APC’s fifth substantive national chairman during the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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Yilwatda succeeds Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned from the position on June 27, 2025, citing health reasons.

According to multiple party insiders who spoke with Daily Trust, Yilwatda’s emergence followed intense lobbying from the North Central geopolitical zone, whose leaders insisted the region must be allowed to complete the term vacated by former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu in 2023.

“There was serious pressure from the North Central zone not to be sidelined again,” a source explained. “They pushed hard for the chairmanship to return to the region, and Yilwatda emerged as a unifying choice.”

Speaking to Daily Trust, Bala Ibrahim, APC’s National Director of Publicity, said Yilwatda’s selection reflects the party’s desire to break away from its tradition of appointing former governors.

“This time, they wanted a technocrat—someone who could offer a fresh approach and guide the party to its next convention. Moving away from the usual pattern was intentional,” he noted, adding, “Of course, the internal politics behind the scenes is best understood by the politicians themselves.”

When asked if religious considerations played a role—especially amidst lingering concerns over the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket—Bala acknowledged that such factors might have influenced the final decision.

“It’s quite possible. These dynamics may have been considered,” he said.

Yilwatda, who served as Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council in Plateau State during the 2023 elections, is seen by many as a link between technocrats and grassroots political operators.

Despite APC’s electoral loss in Plateau during the last presidential poll, party insiders noted that Yilwatda remained loyal and committed to the Tinubu campaign, with his efforts viewed favorably by the presidency.

Analysts also interpret his appointment as part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to rebuild influence in opposition strongholds across the North Central and North West regions.

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