The All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman. The announcement was made during the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
Professor Yilwatda emerged through consensus, alongside other key party officers, as the NEC extended the tenure of zonal, state, council, and ward executives till December 31, 2025.
During the meeting, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized the need for APC governors to deepen grassroots engagement, urging them to address citizens’ concerns at the community level. “Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots. Our governors must intensify efforts to deliver real change,” Tinubu said.
The President reiterated the APC’s open-door policy, encouraging progressive-minded Nigerians to join the party. He described the opposition as a “coalition of confusion,” while urging APC leaders to expand the party’s reach and welcome new members.
President Tinubu also highlighted the party’s plans to construct a permanent APC National Secretariat in Abuja, calling on governors to collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in securing land for the project.
On Nigeria’s economy, Tinubu acknowledged ongoing challenges but cited improvements, including a record N14.9 trillion revenue by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in the first half of 2025, marking a 43% increase from 2024.
Regarding national security, the President affirmed that significant progress has been made in combating terrorism and banditry, noting that thousands of criminals have been neutralized.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Yilwatda expressed gratitude to party leaders and promised to build a more united and dynamic APC. “We are all mechanics of this APC vehicle. Together, we will fix it and drive it to our destination,” he said.
Prof. Yilwatda is a renowned academic and digital transformation expert, with over 26 years of experience in academia and public service. He served as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and was the APC governorship candidate for Plateau State in 2023.
The NEC meeting also paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, and Oba Sikiru Adetona for their contributions to Nigeria’s development.
