The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has hailed the emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman of the party, describing the development as the successful outcome of its over two years agitation for the return of the position to the region.
Yilwatda was named APC National Chairman after the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, which held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
Following the development, Yilwatda, who is also the Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, will immediately take charge of the affairs of the party as substantive National Chairman, replacing Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned on June 27, 2023.
In a statement released shortly after the NEC ratified Yilwatda as National Chairman, the North-Central APC Forum thanked President Bola Tinubu for “ensuring that justice prevailed at last in the resolution of the leadership question in the APC”.
In the statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, a member of the APC campaign council in the 2023 election, the North-Central APC Forum celebrated the successful outcome of its agitation for the return of the position of National Chairman to the region.
“This is a major milestone for stakeholders of the North-Central under the umbrella of the North-Central APC Forum. For more than two years we agitated that the position of National Chairman should return to the North-Central, in line with the current zoning arrangement. Our agitation was informed by the need for fairness and equity and in the course of this struggle we have gone to court, we led protests and issued open letters and several statements. We fought with doggedness but we respected the leaders of the party, even when decisions did not go our way on certain occasions.
“We are indeed glad that at last, justice has been done, our cries have been heard and the North-Central has been given what should rightfully come to it.”
The Forum equally described Tinubu as a listening President.
“The North-Central APC Forum sincerely thanks President Bola Tinubu for listening to our call for the return of the position of the National Chairman to the North-Central region. This has, once again, proved beyond any doubt that President Bola Tinubu is a listening President. He has once again demonstrated uncommon political will and judgment, which he has applied in initiating and driving key reforms and programmes that are evidently turning Nigeria on the right course.
“We also thank other leaders and stakeholders of the party, particularly members of the NEC, for this decision. The North-Central is truly grateful, and we can guarantee that this decision will galvanize the region to offer even more for the progress of the party.
“We believe that justice and fairness have at last prevailed in the resolution of the question over the leadership of the APC, which had been a rather painful open wound for stakeholders from the North-Central who had to bear the agony of being denied the position of National Chairman, which was rightfully zoned to the region. The decision taken by the NEC today shows that the contributions of the North-Central to the progress of the APC cannot be denied, and are indeed appreciated,” parts of the statement said.
The Forum, in the same vein, restated its pledge to deliver six million votes for Tinubu in the North-Central in 2027. The statement noted that the task would now be made easier with the region restored to its rightful position, in line with the party’s subsisting zoning arrangement.
“President Bola Tinubu and the APC should not have any concerns concerning North-Central votes when he seeks reelection in 2027. In fact, we can assure that the North-Central is already in the bag. Our promise to deliver six million votes for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the next election is guaranteed.”
The Forum congratulated Yilwatda on his emergence as APC National Chairman, noting that he has the capacity to lead the party to greater heights.
“Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has over the years demonstrated excellence, both in his career in the university and in his political journey, which informed President Bola Tinubu and the NEC’s confidence in his ability to lead the APC. His records at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he was a member of the university’s Senate for over 10 years, and also served as director of ICT, developing a 10-year ICT strategy plan encompassing ICT architecture and information flows, is testament to his abilities.
“He continued to excel outside the university system, presiding over successful elections while serving as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, under Yilwatda, has brought succour to many citizens through effective interventions in crisis situations across the country while also expanding social protection services to millions of Nigerians.
Yilwatda was named minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in October 2024. He was the candidate of the APC in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Plateau State. He equally served as the coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organization in Plateau State in the 2023 election.
The North-Central APC Forum assured Yilwatda of its support in the task of leading the party.
It also urged all stakeholders of the APC to rally round the new national chairman to move the party forward.
