•New APC Chairman, Yilwatda, pledges unity, expansion in acceptance speech
By Egena Sunday Ode
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be more focused on development, security, and grassroots mobilisation.
The President also announced plans to establish a befitting national secretariat for the party in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu spoke at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said: “We should leave a legacy of development. Twenty-three governors are here to help identify land with the FCT Minister. We should form a committee of progressive governors to secure a suitable location for the new secretariat. I believe, without hesitation, the motion is carried.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms, stating that Nigeria’s financial trajectory was already beginning to stabilise.
“It’s not easy to navigate stormy economic waters. But now that the economy is stabilising, there is no other direction for this country except upward. I can assure you of that,” he said.
Tinubu also stated that significant progress had been recorded in tackling terrorism and banditry, noting that “thousands of terrorists and bandits have been neutralised,” but warned against complacency.
“We must remain vigilant and continue expanding investment in security infrastructure and personnel. That is the only path to lasting peace,” he stated.
The President who received a renewed confidence votw from party leaders also emphasised his administration’s drive toward food sovereignty and urged governors to key into ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting local food production and reducing import dependence.
“We are working hard to ensure food sovereignty. Those working with me will continue to push this agenda. We must engage all stakeholders to meet our national objectives,” he added.
He welcomed Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, both of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — whose presence he described as a gesture of national solidarity.
“Our doors remain open,” the President said.
Noting persistent complaints from citizens, Tinubu charged APC governors to intensify grassroots engagement and lead efforts to deliver tangible change.
“Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots. You must wet the grass more. Lead the charge in delivering progressive change. We need more zonal-level engagements to boost mobilisation and unity,” he said.
Following the ratification of his nomination by consensus, the new APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, pledged to lead the party with inclusiveness, unity, and a strong sense of responsibility.
In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu, APC governors, the National Assembly caucus, and other stakeholders for their confidence in him.
“Let me express my profound gratitude to God and to the leadership of the party, from the President to the governors, National Assembly members and NEC, for entrusting me with this great responsibility,” he said.
Yilwatda described his emergence as “humbling,” likening the APC to a vehicle, and party members as its mechanics, saying, “Together, we will fix it and drive it to our desired destination.”
He pledged to build an inclusive leadership anchored on cooperation, trust, and collective ownership of the party’s goals.
“I will work with everyone in the party, unite, build and expand the APC. You are the focus, the building blocks, and the support I need to move this vehicle forward,” he said.
Yilwatda expressed confidence that the APC, under Tinubu’s leadership, will deliver on the mandate entrusted to it by millions of Nigerians.
Earlier, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, applauded President Tinubu’s transformative leadership and called for internal reforms to reposition the APC.
“Under your administration, we have made irreversible progress, in the economy, security architecture, recalibration of the oil subsystem for long-term national benefit, unification of the foreign exchange system, and governance reforms that have revived investor confidence,” he said.
He moved a motion for NEC to:
Return the office of APC National Chairman to the North Central zone from the North East.
Nominate and elect Professor Nentawe Yilwatda from Plateau State (North Central) as National Chairman.
Reassign Professor AbdulKarim Kana, current National Legal Adviser from Nasarawa State (North Central), as Deputy National Secretary.
Nominate Barrister Murtala from Katsina State (North West) as the new National Legal Adviser.
Uzodimma also moved that the tenure of ward and local government executives be extended until December 31, 2025, to ensure continuity amidst ongoing political activities.
His motion, seconded by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, received wide support from the NEC.
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