The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday elected Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as the party’s new national chairman. The decision was reached through consensus during a high-level meeting held at the State House in Abuja.
The motion to adopt Yilwatda as consensus candidate was moved by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who also chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), and was seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Yilwatda, who until now served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, was immediately sworn in at the meeting.
During the oath-taking, he pledged to “discharge his duties to the best of his ability in accordance with the constitution of the party and the interest, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the party as contained in its manifesto.”
Governor Uzodinma also announced that the remaining officials elected by the party would be inaugurated later at the APC National Secretariat by the new chairman.
In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, party leaders, and stakeholders for the confidence they placed in him. He promised to promote inclusiveness and unity within the ruling party.
“We will work together with the NEC to build and expand our party. I will ensure healthy internal democracy prevails during my tenure. I will trust and look up to the leadership of the party and all of us to fulfill the dreams that Nigerians have in the APC,” Yilwatda said.
His appointment follows the resignation of former national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down last month, citing health-related issues. Ganduje had held the role since 2023 after the exit of Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Professor Yilwatda, was also the APC’s gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 general elections.
Thursday’s NEC meeting was chaired by President Bola Tinubu and attended by top government and party officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, several APC governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, among others.
