The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress has named the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Nentawe Yilwatda, as substantive chairman of the party by consensus.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who heads the Progressive Governors’ Forum, announced the motion at the ongoing 14th meeting of the Committee holding at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The motion was seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The minister was immediately sworn in thereafter.
Nentawe took the oath of office at 02:50 pm in the presence of party bigwigs during the 14th NEC meeting holding at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday.
Nentawe, who hails from Plateau State, North Central Zone, was the APC’s Governorship candidate in the 2023 elections.
His emergence comes at a moment when the APC is seeking to consolidate internal cohesion ahead of off-cycle governorship elections in Osun and Anambra.
Yilwatda succeeds Abdullahi Ganduje, who officially stepped down from the role on June 27.
In his stead, Yilwatda is seen as a bridge-builder with both technocratic acumen and grassroots appeal.
A respected academic, Yilwatda has long been viewed as a loyal party man — measured in temperament and widely regarded for his policy depth.
His appointment is expected to usher in a quieter but more strategic phase in the party’s leadership as it gears up for electoral contests and internal reforms.
