NEC to Ratify Appointment on Thursday Amid Pressure for North-Central Representation
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to announce the appointment of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nentawe Yilwatda, as its Acting National Chairman, sources within the party confirmed on Tuesday.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that the formal announcement is expected during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.
This development follows the resignation of former chairman Abdullahi Ganduje on June 27, which left the party’s leadership in flux. Since Ganduje’s departure, the APC’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, from Borno State, has been overseeing party affairs on an interim basis.
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North-Central Stakeholders Demand Fairness
Stakeholders from the North-Central geopolitical zone, including the North-Central APC Forum, have intensified calls for the chairmanship position to be returned to their region. They argue that keeping the post in the North-East, where Dalori hails from, contradicts the party’s internal power-sharing principles.
“Returning the chairmanship to North-Central is not only about equity but about party stability,” a senior party official told TJ News Nigeria under anonymity.
Political observers view the decision to appoint Yilwatda as a strategic move to restore regional balance and manage brewing discontent within the ruling party.
Who is Nentawe Yilwatda?
Born in 1968 in Plateau State, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is an engineer, academic, and seasoned public servant with extensive experience in governance and administration.
- Former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State
- Former Director of ICT at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
- APC Governorship Candidate for Plateau State in the 2023 general elections
- Appointed Minister by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024
Although he lost the gubernatorial race to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and failed in his subsequent legal challenge, Yilwatda was praised for his statesmanship and loyalty to the APC.
His cabinet nomination was reportedly backed by powerful northern political actors, including Senator Simon Lalong, former Plateau Governor and Minister of Labour.
NEC Meeting to Address Party Unity
Thursday’s NEC session is expected to confirm Yilwatda’s new role while also addressing growing internal party tensions. According to insiders, the agenda includes:
- Ratification of Yilwatda’s appointment
- Review of zoning arrangements
- Preparations for off-cycle gubernatorial elections
- Early strategy sessions for the 2027 general elections
TJ News Nigeria can authoritatively report that the move to name Yilwatda as acting chairman is being framed as a gesture of inclusion aimed at defusing regional agitation and strengthening internal cohesion ahead of critical political milestones.
Why the Appointment Matters
Yilwatda’s elevation comes at a pivotal time for the APC, as the party grapples with post-election fallout, factional disputes, and preparations for upcoming polls.
Political analysts say the appointment could:
- Rebuild trust among North-Central stakeholders
- Improve party image in Plateau and surrounding states
- Help stabilize internal party structures before the 2027 race
However, some observers caution that long-term unity will depend on how well the APC manages its broader zoning formula and delivers on governance.
