…New chairman promises unity
…Seeks stakeholders support
…Says Tinubu’s re-election is a done deal
By Caleb Ishaya, Abuja
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has emerged as the National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC.
Yilwatda’s emergence was formally announced at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the APC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It would be recalled that the NEC adopted him by “consensus decision” as Dr Abdullahi Ganduje’s successor sequel to Ganduje’s resignation on June 27 which triggered the insistence of North Central geo-political zone to produce the party’s chairman.
The meeting had in attendance President Bola Tinubu, members of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and top party officials.
The new APC chairman was born Aug. 8,1968, Yilwatda, who is from Plateau State, is an engineer , reformer INEC’s REC and academic
He was APC standard bearer in the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the state.
AljazirahNigeria reports that between July 2017 and December 2021, he held the position of resident electoral commissioner in Benue state.
Also, he was the ICT director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, for 12 years.
Meanwhile, Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has expressed delight on the emergence of the minister and congregated him on his as the the new National Chairman of the ruling APC.
Lalong, in a press release signed and made available to AljazirahNigeria last night by his Special Adviser Media, Dr. Makut Macham, described the emergence of Yilwatda as “a source of great joy and inspiration because he brings on board fresh leadership experience and capacity to pilot the affairs of the biggest political party in Africa”.
Addressing party faithful after his election by the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting in an exclusive interview with the Channels TV’s politics today, monitored by AljazirahNigeria correspondent, Yilwatda said that his first task is to unite the party so as to approach the 2027 as a United broom for continuity of the Renewed Hope Agenda. However, the new chairman from the North Central geo-political zone solicited the support of party stakeholders to deliver on the mandates . According to him, yes, I am the chairman but I need your support to pivot the affairs of this great party. I sincerely thank and appreciate the NEC for finding me worthy to lead our party.
The former Plateau State Governor who is the leader of the APC in the state said “Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda is very suitable for the job bringing along his vast experience as a technocrat, politician and public servant.”
He added that Nentawe whose political profile continues to rise clearly shows that he has been groomed for leadership and service reflecting on his successful previous assignments as University Lecturer, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Minister of the Federal Republic and now Chairman of the largest Party in Africa.
“The new assignment bestowed upon Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda is a clear indication that his impact as APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2023 General elections was rooted in wide acceptability and visionary leadership qualities he possesses.
“While assuring him of his personal support and the goodwill of the APC family in , Lalong said the new appointment Plateau State is a great pride to the people of Plateau State which last held the leadership of a ruling political party during the tenure of Chief Solomon Daushep Lar as then leader of his party”, Lalong stated.
The federal lawmaker then also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Assembly leadership, APC Governors, NEC Members and all stakeholders for reposing their confidence in Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to lead the party at this very crucial time.
He calls for prayers for the new National Chairman, assuring that the people of Plateau State and the North Central Zone will stand by him in this national assignment.
