Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has been elected national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the country’s ruling political party. His appointment was confirmed during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The gathering saw the attendance of President Bola Tinubu, governors from the party’s Progressive Governors Form (PGF), and senior APC officials, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Yilwatda’s elevation marks a significant shift within the APC’s leadership as the party navigates its role in implementing federal policies under President Tinubu’s administration. The APC, which has governed Nigeria since 2015, faces mounting public scrutiny over economic challenges and social welfare reforms, areas directly tied to Yilwatda’s current ministerial portfolio. His dual roles — overseeing humanitarian initiatives while steering the party’s strategic direction — highlight the intersection of governance and political stewardship in Nigeria’s evolving landscape.
The NEC meeting, a key decision-making forum for the APC, underscored the party’s emphasis on consolidating leadership ahead of future electoral cycles. Analysts suggest Yilwatda’s academic background — he is a professor of agricultural engineering — and his experience in public service may signal the APC’s focus on technocratic governance. However, questions linger about how he will balance ministerial responsibilities with the demands of chairing a major political organization.
President Tinubu’s presence at the meeting reinforced the administration’s close alignment with the APC’s internal processes. Observers note that the president, who assumed office in May 2023, has prioritized unity within the party amid competing regional and ideological interests. The Progressive Governors Form, a coalition of APC state governors, also played a visible role in the proceedings, reflecting the party’s reliance on subnational leadership to mobilize support across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
As national chairman, Yilwatda is expected to oversee party operations, mediate disputes, and lead campaign strategies for upcoming elections, including governorship races in Ondo and Edo states later this year. His appointment follows months of internal deliberations, with the APC seeking to stabilize its ranks after a contentious presidential primary in 2022.
The transition comes as Nigeria grapples with inflation, security challenges, and debates over austerity measures, placing Yilwatda at the nexus of policy and politics. While the minister has yet to issue a public statement on his new role, the APC’s move signals an effort to align its leadership with the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda, including poverty alleviation programs central to the government’s stated goals.
