Barring any last-minute changes, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, will emerge today as the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Multiple sources who spoke last night to Daily Trust, pointed to Yilwatda as the leading choice for the position. However, some sources said a former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, is also being considered.
With just hours to the party’s crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, credible insiders revealed that the party’s leadership, comprising the president and governors, has narrowed its search for a new national chairman to Nentawe Yilwatda.
He hails from Plateau State in the North Central, the region originally zoned to produce the national chairman before the appointment of former Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned earlier this month.
The push for a new chairman follows Ganduje’s resignation, which came amid internal protests, particularly from North Central stakeholders, who felt short-changed after the abrupt exit of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, following the 2023 general election that produced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Party insiders confirmed that zoning the chairmanship back to the North Central and giving priority to a Christian is a strategic move to placate aggrieved stakeholders and address concerns, especially under the Muslim-Muslim presidency of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Whoever emerges as national chairman today, either Yilwatda or Al-Makura, will replace acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori, who previously served as deputy national chairman before stepping in after Ganduje’s departure.
Some insiders said Dalori could have remained in an acting capacity for a longer period “but for some obvious reasons.”
“He is from Borno State, the same state as Vice President Shettima,” one source said. “And beyond that, there is no time to keep playing to the gallery. The president and the APC want to resolve the chairmanship issue once and for all. Tinubu wants someone who will be as loyal to him as Senator Adamu was to President Buhari.”
Other contenders earlier floated for the position include Senator Sani Musa (Niger State), Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara), former Plateau governor Joshua Dariye, SGF George Akume, and Senator Abu Ibrahim (Katsina).
Akume, a former governor of Benue State, publicly distanced himself from the race during the heat of consultations, saying he was focused on his role as SGF and remained loyal to Tinubu.
Sources within the APC national secretariat, the Presidency, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that Nentawe’s name has repeatedly surfaced in high-level internal deliberations.
One top official at the party headquarters said, “The body language of President Tinubu has given Nentawe Yilwatda a significant edge.
“From the National Working Committee (NWC) to the Villa, many believe Yilwatda is the man to beat. There’s already subtle celebration in parts of Plateau State over the possibility of their son becoming chairman.”
A technocrat and Christian from the Middle Belt, Yilwatda is seen by some as a strategic choice to balance the Muslim-Muslim presidency. Sources say Tinubu and his advisers believe his emergence could help address longstanding complaints of exclusion and improve the party’s image ahead of 2027.
“Even the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is said to be backing Yilwatda, which many see as a strong indication of presidential support,” another source said.
Despite widespread endorsements, not everyone is convinced.
Critics, including some within Plateau and Abuja, argue that Yilwatda, who joined the APC less than four years ago, lacks the political depth to navigate the party’s complex internal dynamics.
“He’s doing well at the ministry, reaching the poor, managing resources. He’s under immense pressure to accept the chairmanship, but left to him, he’s content where he is,” one insider said
Another source added that Yilwatda has political ambitions and may be reluctant to give up his ministerial post, which provides a platform for a possible governorship bid in Plateau, a position he narrowly lost in 2023.
It was further gathered that Yilwatda was in Niger State responding to flood victims when he was summoned to Abuja for consultations. He had planned to visit another state but cancelled due to the urgency of the situation.
A close associate said last night: “Unless something dramatic happens in the next few hours, Yilwatda will be crowned APC chairman. He is the president’s choice and enjoys support from key players. But as you know, politics is unpredictable.”
Yilwatda became a minister after his political mentor and former Plateau governor, Senator Simon Lalong, resigned from the cabinet to return to the Senate following the Court of Appeal’s sacking of the PDP lawmaker earlier declared winner for Plateau South Senatorial District.
Before his ministerial appointment, Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau in the 2023 elections, losing to Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP. A loyalist of Lalong, he defeated the former governor’s deputy, Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, and three others to clinch the APC ticket.
He also served as the state coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation during the 2023 elections.
Between July 2017 and December 2021, Yilwatda was the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State—a role he resigned from to contest the APC governorship primary in 2022. Prior to that, he was ICT director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, for 12 years.
Born on 8 August 1968 in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yilwatda hails from a family of religious persons—the late Rev and Mrs Toma Yilwatda. He earned a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 1992 from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He later obtained a master’s degree from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He is also a community development expert and lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, with over 29 years’ experience as a consultant for international development partners, and both the public and private sectors.
‘Al-Makura, being considered too’
Despite growing momentum behind Nentawe, Al-Makura remains a formidable contender, according to insiders.
A ranking presidency official described the former Nasarawa governor as highly respected within the APC for his consistency and maturity.
“He is a founding father of the APC and has remained loyal. President Tinubu respects him. But the prevailing sentiment in the party and presidency is to have a Christian chairman for strategic balance,” the source said.
However, the final decision may hinge on the outcome of last night’s meeting of APC governors.
An insider revealed that Yilwatda, Al-Makura, SGF Akume, and other influential figures were expected to meet with President Tinubu ahead of today’s NEC session.
“The party is banking on the president’s influence to resolve this once and for all. There’s a sense of urgency. They want to fix the leadership structure and begin strategising for 2027,” the source said.
Observers note that the APC is under pressure to stem the momentum building around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and maintain its edge over the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Once the leadership issue is settled, expect Tinubu to make sweeping appointments—both in the party and in government. He will use the governors and other structures to consolidate his grip ahead of 2027,” the source added.
Change of guard not new for APC
Daily Trust reports that the APC is no stranger to leadership shake-ups. Since 2015, the party has faced multiple chairmanship crises, including the dramatic exits of John Odigie-Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, both removed amid intense internal wrangling.
Adamu’s 2023 exit was no less controversial, and Ganduje’s brief tenure failed to quell discontent, especially from the North Central bloc.
Today’s NEC meeting could finally resolve the lingering leadership vacuum, or deepen existing fractures. For now, all eyes remain on Nentawe, and possibly Al-Makura.
Ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, President Tinubu met with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what insiders described as a final consultation on the choice of a substantive national chairman for the party.
The meeting came shortly after an earlier gathering of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) at the Abuja residence of its chairman and Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting with the president, Uzodimma said the engagement was part of efforts to strengthen the ruling party and align on governance priorities.
He described the meeting as a “convenient discussion” with the president aimed at consolidating the party and enhancing its capacity to deliver good governance across the country.
“As sub-national governments under the national umbrella, we met to align with the president on party matters and governance priorities,” Uzodimma said.
When asked if major decisions or a consensus would emerge from the APC’s NEC meeting scheduled for today, he replied: “We cannot say what will happen until we get there tomorrow (today).”
He added: “We came as a group to formally condole with the president on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari and to discuss the upcoming NEC meeting of our party.
“We also shared ideas with Mr President on how best to strengthen our party at the grassroots, at the local government level, state level, and ultimately the national level.”
On the possibility of a consensus candidate for the chairmanship, Uzodimma said: “It is a National Executive Committee meeting—we cannot predict the outcome. When you come there tomorrow (today) you will see it.”
Only NEC can zone chairmanship back to North Central – Party scribe
Speaking on the issue, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, confirmed that the appointment of a substantive national chairman would be on the agenda of today’s NEC meeting.
“Of course, it’s part of the reasons the NEC was convened, to consider a possible replacement for our former chairman. So, one of the items on the agenda is the nomination and election of a substantive chairman to replace the immediate past national chairman of the party,” he said in an interview with Arise TV.
Responding to questions on whether the party had reached a consensus on returning the chairmanship to the North Central, Basiru pushed back, saying the matter was being unnecessarily sensationalised.
“I don’t know why this issue keeps dominating public discourse. At the NEC meeting of August 3, 2023, there was a resolution to zone the chairmanship to the North-West, and it was based on that resolution that Ganduje emerged. We have not violated any existing zoning arrangement ratified by the NEC. NEC, under our constitution, is the second most powerful organ of our party, next only to the National Convention,” he said.
He further explained that the same NEC resolution also zoned the position of National Legal Adviser to the North Central.
“If the national chairmanship is to be re-zoned, then another NEC resolution will have to be passed to that effect. We do not act in contravention of our constitution,” Basiru stated.
Pressed on whether the party plans to shift the chairmanship back to the North Central in view of mounting agitation from the zone, the party scribe maintained that the chairmanship remains in the North-West unless NEC decides otherwise.
“As of now, the chairmanship is still zoned to the North-West based on the August 3, 2023 NEC resolution. If the party’s leadership decides, between now and 2 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), to move the chairmanship to another zone, such as the North Central, then a fresh resolution would first have to be adopted to effect that change. Only after that can nominations be accepted from the new zone for the position of national chairman,” he said.
PDP to decide on convention, zoning today
In a related development, the PDP will also hold its NEC meeting today, where key decisions are expected on the upcoming national convention, zoning of party offices, and ratification of congresses across the country.
The NEC is also set to receive reports from the party’s Zoning Committee and the National Convention Committee, both established to facilitate early preparations for the PDP’s national convention scheduled to hold from August 28 to 30, 2025, in Kano.
At its 99th NEC meeting on May 27, the party resolved to convene the convention early and approved the formation of the two committees. The Zoning Committee is chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, with Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal as Vice Chairman and Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang as Secretary. The National Convention Committee is headed by Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, with Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke as Vice Chairman and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah as Secretary.
Both committees are expected to submit progress reports during today’s meeting, which could shape the PDP’s internal strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the agenda, noting that updates would be presented from the zoning and convention committees. He also disclosed that the NEC would ratify completed congresses at the state, local government, and ward levels.
Party’s founding fathers convene consultative conference
The founding members and senior stakeholders of the PDP convened a consultative conference in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirming their commitment to the party’s survival while criticising recent defections.
Present at the meeting were Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), among others.
Also in attendance were senior party officials and past leaders, including former governors Babangida Aliyu, Seriake Dickson, and Ibrahim Shekarau; former ministers Jerry Gana and Labaran Maku; Chief Bode George; and former party chair Abubakar Baraje.
Conspicuously absent were Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, both of whom have recently endorsed President Tinubu of the ruling APC for reelection.
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, voiced strong reservations about the growing movement towards the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition, describing it as a political aberration.
He warned that PDP leaders could not belong to two political entities simultaneously, insisting that loyalty and discipline must be upheld within the party.
“You cannot be in PDP and in coalition with another party. It’s not just wrong—it’s an aberration,” he said.
While he acknowledged that some leaders left to pursue political ambitions, he stressed the importance of remaining with a party that has built structures and legacies nationwide.
“PDP has history, legacy, and structure everywhere. Why abandon that for a party with no offices? If it’s about ambition, do you want to get a ticket and lose?” he asked.
Bala urged defectors to return, noting that despite their exit, the party still holds the moral ground to welcome them back.
Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, adopted a firmer tone, describing those who left the PDP as “nomadic politicians” driven by selfish interests rather than party principles.
“Our major problem began around 2013–2014. These defectors prioritise their ambitions over party discipline. That lack of discipline has cost us dearly,” he said.
He argued that the party must enforce its constitution, which requires those who leave the party to rejoin the queue if they return.
“Politics should be principled, not transactional. If we remain united and principled, even without electoral victories, we will earn respect,” Aliyu noted.
Damagum: PDP’s wounds are self-inflicted
On his part, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum admitted that many of PDP’s challenges are self-inflicted, citing the abandonment of ideology for personal ambition as a major cause of instability.
“From the Obasanjo era till now, we have too often sacrificed ideology. This has cost us dearly,” he said.
Despite this, he insisted that the PDP still represents the best national platform, with established democratic mechanisms and an inclusive vision.
“Splinters may form, but they do not define the tree. We remain the party that gave many their first political home,” he added.
Damagum said the party’s doors remain open to returning members, but emphasised the need to move from reconciliation talk to real action.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki called for unity, urging stakeholders to protect and preserve the party for future generations.
“History will not be kind to us if, under our watch, this party dies. We must give it everything we have,” he said.
Saraki acknowledged the challenges but urged party leaders not to walk away in anger.
“Anger doesn’t solve leadership problems. If we must leave, let it be based on ideology—not frustration,” he said.
He stressed the importance of internal negotiation and resolution, adding, “Leaving PDP should not be an option. We must find a way forward.”
Plans for new National Chairman underway
Meanwhile, sources within the party confirmed that leaders are already exploring options for a new national chairman to emerge at the 2025 convention, one who can unify the party and reposition it for the 2027 elections.
A party source disclosed that founding fathers, led by Professor Jerry Gana, are spearheading efforts to ensure a credible, committed leader takes the helm.
“The major question now is who will lead the party forward. They want someone loyal to the PDP, someone who will stay, not defect when it matters,” the source said.
Although former Senate President David Mark was initially considered, his resignation from the party and emergence as the interim chairman of the ADC coalition means party leaders are now looking at other options.
The source added that the goal is to ensure the party is not entrusted to individuals lacking long-term commitment.
