Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda yesterday officially assumed office as the 7th National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), an 11-year-old ruling party that took power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
Yilwatda, an engineering professor, succeeded Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past governor of Kano State.
Prior to his election during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Conference Centre of the Aso Villa, the 56-year-old Yilwatda served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Poverty Alleviation.
Yilwatda said: “I pledge without hesitation that I will work with everybody in the party, unite the party, build the party, expand the party with you as the focus and the building block and the support I will require to drive the party as needed by all of us.
“I accept this mandate with gratitude and a complete sense of responsibility, determined to work with all of you to fulfil the dreams of Nigerians who have reposed their hope in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Yilwatda, who was APC’s governorship candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 general elections, emphasized the importance of collective action going forward.
“We are all mechanics of this vehicle—the APC—and together, we will fix it and drive it to our destination,” he declared.
He expressed appreciation to party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, lawmakers, and NEC members, calling his new role “a great responsibility at a pivotal time.”
His emergence followed a consensus nomination moved by Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.
The governor commended the outgoing leadership, particularly former Chairman Ganduje, and stressed the need for stability and discipline in the party.
He said: “As we turn this page, it is imperative that we quickly move to nominate a capable and unifying replacement – someone who can build on the foundation laid and help reposition the party to its rightful place of pride in Nigeria’s democratic history,” Uzodimma said as he formally nominated Yilwatda.
The motion was seconded by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
As part of broader leadership changes, Uzodimma also proposed shifting the National Legal Adviser’s office from North Central to the Northwest.
Murtala Kankia of Katsina State was nominated for the role, while current Legal Adviser, Prof. Karim Kana, was put forward for the position of Deputy National Secretary.
The NEC also approved an extension of tenure for all ward and local government executives of the APC until December 31. These proposals were unanimously adopted.
Uzodimma applauded the party’s digital reforms, highlighting the ongoing membership e-registration as “a vital step towards deepening internal democracy and improving data-driven planning.”
He also praised President Tinubu’s leadership, stating the country is undergoing “irreversible progress” under his administration.
“Under your administration, we have recalibrated the oil subsystems, unified the forex system, and implemented bold fiscal reforms that have restored investor confidence in Nigeria,” he said.
The governor condemned the “irresponsible conduct” of certain opposition figures.
“As progressives, we must remain focused, united, and responsible to the young men and women of Nigeria who have placed their hope in us,” Uzodimma said.
Deputy Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, who served as acting chairman following Ganduje’s resignation, said the NEC meeting was convened specifically to fill the leadership vacancy.
He acknowledged President Tinubu and PGF governors for their strategic guidance throughout the transition.
The NEC is the APC’s second-highest decision-making body, empowered to take key actions such as appointing a new National Chairman in the absence of a national convention.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid tribute to late President Muhammadu Buhari, calling him a leader who demonstrated that integrity and public service can go hand in hand.
Osinbajo said: “In his many years in public service, he (Buhari) proved that you can serve with honesty. He pursued his rights in court, lost three times and only won on the fourth attempt. That is a mark of someone who believed in the rule of law and democracy.”
Describing Buhari as a “converted democrat,” Osinbajo said his legacy remains a lasting model of principled leadership in Nigeria’s political history.
Also present at the meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led other PGF governors to the meeting.