Abuja – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman, following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje due to health-related concerns.
Yilwatda, an engineer-turned-politician and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, brings both technocratic expertise and political experience to the party’s leadership.
A former governorship candidate of the APC in Plateau State, he played a critical role in the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign during the 2023 elections.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yilwatda is the son of the late Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda. He holds a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he graduated in 1992.
He furthered his education with a master’s degree from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and earned a doctorate in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also underwent specialized training in e-governance at the United Nations University in Macau, China.
Yilwatda’s political journey within the APC has been marked by his close alliance with former Plateau State governor and current senator, Simon Lalong. Despite losing the 2023 Plateau governorship election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yilwatda challenged the result in court but later accepted the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Following his defeat, he was nominated as a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, heading the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. His transition from minister to party chairman underscores his rising profile within the APC hierarchy.
In his new role, Yilwatda is expected to spearhead efforts to reposition the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. His appointment comes at a critical time, as the party seeks to consolidate its dominance and expand its grassroots reach nationwide.
Yilwatda has already pledged to strengthen internal party democracy and build a more inclusive platform for members and stakeholders. Political observers believe his background in governance reform and digital systems could bring a fresh perspective to party administration.
His emergence signals a generational shift within the APC leadership, as the party begins preparations for future electoral contests and internal restructuring.
