The National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has chosen Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its substantial chairman during its meeting which was presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
After about two years in the elms of affairs, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje resigned from his chairmanship position on June 27 on health ground. He revealed that the greatest thing he gave Nigeria is experience, having produced a former senator and two times governor as the president of Nigeria; Tinubu.
President Tinubu subsequently approved the appointment of Bukar Dalori as the acting national chairman, pending the seating of the party’s NEC.
Many supporters of Dalori were expecting him to be named as the substantial chairman but it was not to be as the party was redirected toward a different direction with the naming of Prof. Yilwatda as the chairman of the party.
Who is indeed the new chairman?
Professor Yilwatda may not be so popular with Nigerians but he has been in the corridor of power for some years. He could play a key role in shaping the future of Nigeria and Nigerian politics.
He hails from Dungung in Plateau State. He was born into a Christian family of Rev. and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda on August 8, 1968.
Prof. Yilwatda attended Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in Benue State, where he bagged his first degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering. He proceeded for his Master’s degree at the prestigious Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He got his PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He was a lecturer, community development specialist and an ICT director for several years. He worked for a number of institutions, including his alma mater, University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
Prof. Yilwatda was a resident electoral commissioner in Benue State for four years. He was a governorship candidate of the APC and played a significant role in ensuring the election of President Tinubu, being the state coordinator of Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation. He was handed a ministerial role in 2023.
What can Nigerians expect from Prof. Yelwata?
After his confirmation as the chairman of APC, he revealed that he will work with the members of the party and ensure there is unity. He said he will ensure that the party helps all Nigerians to fulfil their aspirations regarding the new Nigeria they hope for.
“I pledge without hesitation that I will work with everybody in the party, unite the party, build the party, expand party with you as the focus and the building block and the support I will require to drive the party as needed by all of us so that we can fulfil the dream of Nigerians who have reposed their hope in the renewed hope agenda,” Prof. Yilwatda said.
“Lastly, I will trust and look up to the leadership of the party, members of the party and all of you seated here for us to fulfil the dreams that Nigerians have of APC.”
Yilwatda is the sixth chairman of APC since its formation into a party in 2013, with Bisi Akande, being the first, John Odigie Oyegun, second, Adams Oshiomole, third, Mai Mala Buni, fourth and Senator Ganduje being the fifth.
