Residents of Jos, the vibrant capital of Plateau State, poured into the streets today in jubilant celebration following the appointment of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement, made during the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, marks a significant milestone for the North Central region and has sparked widespread excitement among party supporters and locals alike.
Yilwatda, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, was unanimously elected by the NEC, succeeding Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down citing health concerns.
The appointment, moved by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, and seconded by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, was formalized with Yilwatda’s immediate swearing-in at the APC National Secretariat.
The streets of Jos buzzed with energy as supporters, adorned in APC colors, sang and danced to celebrate the elevation of one of their own.
“This is a victory for Plateau State and the North Central region,” said Maryam Dung, a local APC member, waving a party flag.
“Professor Nentawe is a man of integrity, and his leadership will bring unity and progress to our party and our people.”
Yilwatda, born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, is a distinguished academic and technocrat with a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State (2017–2021), he championed electoral reforms, including policies to improve voting access for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
His political journey also includes serving as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Plateau State in 2023 and coordinating the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organization in the state during the general elections.
The North-Central APC Forum hailed Yilwatda’s appointment as the culmination of over two years of advocacy to return the chairmanship to the region, which had been temporarily zoned to the North West under Ganduje’s tenure.
“This is a successful outcome of our agitation for fairness and representation,” the forum stated, expressing optimism about Yilwatda’s leadership.
In his first remarks as chairman, Yilwatda pledged to unite all organs of the APC and strengthen its national presence ahead of future electoral challenges.
“I will work tirelessly to bring all participants of our great party together, fostering solidarity and progress in line with our manifesto,” he said, addressing party stakeholders at the NEC meeting attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other key figures.
The Plateau State APC chapter described the appointment as a “reward for loyalty and hard work,” emphasizing Yilwatda’s credentials and dedication to public service.
“This is an honor not only for Dr. Nentawe but for the entire APC family and the people of Plateau State,” said Shittu Bamaiyi, the party’s State Publicity Secretary.
As celebrations continued in Jos, with motorcades and gatherings amplifying the festive mood, analysts noted that Yilwatda’s appointment could bolster the APC’s influence in Plateau State, where it lost the governorship to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
However, some cautioned that high expectations rest on Yilwatda to deliver on both his ministerial and party leadership roles to maintain the party’s momentum.
For now, the people of Jos revel in the moment, hopeful that Yilwatda’s leadership will bring renewed vigor to the APC and greater development to Plateau State.
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