Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda assumes office as APC National Chairman

• Says 2027 a done deal

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda on Thursday arrived the National Secretariait of the ruling party to formally assume office.

Yilwatda who emerged from the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, arrived the party office at Blyntyre street, Wuse 11 at about 4:25 pm, accompanied by party faithful and supporters.

The new Chairman who replaces the former National Chairman, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje who resigned last month, also met with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

In his address, Yilwatda who untill his appointment was the Minister of the Humanitarian Affairs said he considers it a rear privilege for him to be chosen to serve as the leader of the ruling party in the land.

He also reassured the party faithful that he will ensure that the aspiration of the party and its teaming members across the country to retain power at the centre in 2027 is realized.

Yilwatda also said that the APC will continue to keep its doors open to accept new members, including governors, senators and other lawmakers at various levels who may want to join the party.

“I appreciate Nigerians supporting APC, standing by APC, our doors are open, welcome members, new members, our doors are open, we look forward to having more governors, more senators, more national assembly members, more local government chairman and more members of the party, into our party. We expand beyond bounds, I’m sure by God’s grace, I’m sure the service is a done deal for APC”.

He described his emergence as a trust and also a burden because of the task of working with the party stakeholders from across the country, given the huge expectations the office demands.

He however expressed confidence that he will succeed because in the quest of service, he has had the opportunity of working most of them, especially members of the NWC.

“I count it a rare privilege and I must appreciate God, appreciate the leadership of our party, appreciate our governors, National Assembly, National Working Committee members and all the teaming loyal supporters of APC for resting this burden of trust on me.

“I count it a trust and a burden at the same time because it’s quite heavy, it’s large, I know that I have people around me, veterans, supporters, friends as members of National Working Committee. I’ve worked with them before, virtually I’ve met all the members of National Working Committee, I’ve met them in person, one other form of service or the other, here to monitor election or going for primary election elsewhere or doing campaign in several states together with them.

“You’ve been my friends, you’ve been my partners and I expect nothing less from you that we all join hands together as a team, work together to ensure that we expand this party, we will increase membership, we will deepen technology that you already started and ensure that this party is transparent, this party enjoys the support of Nigerians and even beyond the shores of Nigeria to diaspora, recognise all the members of the party who are working for us too, it is you that has made this party tick.

“Its our collective effort and I’m sure by the time we put our hands on the deck collectively, this party will be great, this party will be the joy and the pride and the bright of the entire nation and that’s what I look forward to this party becoming under our collective leadership”.

With the new turn of events in the party, the former Acting National Chairman, Hon. Bukka Abba Dalori reverts to his former position as the Deputy National Chairman (North) while the former National Deputy Secretary, Festus Faunter who also hails from Plateau state like Yilwatda resigned because the Constitution of the party does not permit two people from the same state to serve on the same NWC.

Also, the former National Legal Adviser, Barr. Abdulkareem Kana resigned his position to now serve as the National Deputy Secretary.

The new National Legal Adviser is now Barr. Murtala Kankia.