The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has been elected the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Yilwatda’s nomination came from Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, and was seconded by House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. His election was confirmed through a voice vote during the NEC meeting held Thursday in Abuja.

Yilwatda, 56, from Plateau State, replaces Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned in June, citing personal reasons. Ganduje had succeeded Senator Abdullahi Adamu in August 2023 and was later appointed Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by President Bola Tinubu in January.

Following Ganduje’s exit, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori, temporarily led the party until Thursday’s election.

In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda pledged to take tough decisions in the interest of the APC and the country, stating that his appointment is more than a political elevation it is a national responsibility.

“This role is not just about politics; it’s a burden I carry to strengthen our party structure and ensure that we remain not just an election-winning machine, but a platform for good governance,” he said.

Yilwatda highlighted his diverse background across academia, public administration, civil society, and electoral reforms, noting he had worked extensively with INEC, UNICEF, and in multiple regions across Nigeria, including the North-East, South-East, and South-South.

Addressing doubts about his calm demeanour in the high-stakes environment of national politics, he said: “People see me as gentle and easy-going. But if you observe President Tinubu, you’ll see someone who appears soft-spoken but makes tough decisions. I’ll do the same.”

Yilwatda promised a leadership style rooted in coordination, consultation, and inclusiveness, stressing the importance of strengthening ties between the national secretariat and party organs at the state and ward levels.

“We must align our party structure with our mission to deliver quality governance. Power begins at the ward level, and our governors and state chairmen are critical players. The national headquarters must harmonise all efforts,” he said.

His emergence comes as the APC positions itself for deeper consolidation of power ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially in states where recent defections have strengthened its hold.