APC Elects Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as Chairman, Tinubu Rallies Governors to ‘Wet the Grass’

President urges deepened grassroots engagement, unveils party reform plans at NEC meeting

Segun Atanda/

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, a renowned technocrat and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as its new National Chairman. His emergence by consensus was the highpoint of the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held Thursday in Abuja.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who presided over the meeting, used the occasion to rally party governors toward deeper grassroots engagement, calling for more visible governance and responsiveness to the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.

“Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots,” Tinubu said. “You must wet the grass more and deliver progressive change to Nigerians.”

The President charged the party leadership to build stronger ties with communities and expand the APC’s influence nationwide, stressing that “our doors are still open” to new members and fresh ideas. He urged Professor Yilwatda to constitute a National Working Committee team to register and integrate new party members across all states.

Tinubu took aim at opposition parties, dismissing them as “a coalition of confusion,” and encouraged progressive-minded Nigerians to join the APC’s “developmental agenda.” He expressed confidence in the direction of his administration, citing a record N14.9 trillion revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in just six months—a 43% increase from the previous year.

“Now, the economy is stabilised. There is no fear for the country except for continued upward movement and sustained growth,” he said.

The President acknowledged security gains across the country, noting that “thousands of terrorists and bandits have been neutralised” and that fear is gradually waning. However, he stressed the need for vigilance and investment in national security.

He also called on governors to begin work toward building a permanent APC national secretariat in Abuja, describing it as a legacy project that should not be left unfinished.

The meeting observed a minute of silence in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Similar tributes were paid to late statesmen Alhaji Aminu Dantata and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, described by Tinubu as national icons whose contributions transcended party lines.

In his acceptance speech, Professor Yilwatda pledged to reposition the APC as a modern, respected political institution. He vowed to lead with humility and innovation.

“We are all mechanics of this vehicle, the APC, and together, we will fix it and drive it to our destination,” he said.

He paid tribute to party leaders and pledged to carry everyone along in building a party that “can truly fulfil the aspirations of Nigerians.”

Yilwatda replaces Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and assumes office following a transition led by former acting chairman, Engr. Bukar Dalori, who thanked the President and Progressive Governors’ Forum for ensuring a smooth leadership change.

Born on August 8, 1968, in Plateau State, Yilwatda is an acclaimed academic and digital policy expert. A former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, he was instrumental in introducing voting reforms for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), and tech-driven electoral processes.

His career spans over two decades in academia and public sector innovation, with consultancy roles for international development agencies including the World Bank, EU, UNICEF, and TECHVILE USA.

Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State in 2023 and also served as the Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign in the state.

With his emergence as chairman, the APC seeks to project a blend of intellectual depth, digital savvy, and party-wide inclusiveness ahead of 2027.