Newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, says his top priority is to unite the party and promote inclusivity. In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ monitored by David Lawani, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and ex-Resident Electoral Commissioner admitted to internal challenges but expressed confidence in his administrative experience to resolve them. He also dismissed opposition parties like the People’s Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress as unworthy of serious attention
Did you see this coming?
Not really. It is a huge responsibility for me as a loyal party member. I intend to work with the party, build team spirit, and strengthen the party’s organs as a machinery that will prepare us for good governance, first for the country, and then to improve governance at both the national and sub-national levels. Most of the governors are still settling in, along with the senators, members of the House of Representatives, local government officials, and state assembly members. Therefore, it is a burden we must bear to ensure that we engage all these structures to deliver improved governance to Nigerians. More importantly, we must work with the party to win elections. Winning elections is essential, but good governance is equally critical. I am confident in the manifesto of our party, which we will implement. If you examine the structure and progressive nature of the party’s manifesto, you’ll see that it is something we must uphold for the good of the people.
You have made attempts to become a governor, and today, as a former minister, you’ve risen to the pinnacle of the party. But did you ever imagine you’d become the national chairman?
Not at all. But as someone who has been an administrator for a long time, I became a director at my university in my thirties. As an administrator managing a large number of people and implementing reforms in the university system, those experiences enriched my knowledge base. I later served as a consultant to national bodies. I became an INEC commissioner, where I participated in electoral reforms, particularly in enhancing technology to make electoral processes more inclusive, including for persons with disabilities and in distressed communities. Then I became a minister. As Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, I travelled extensively across the country, visiting Sokoto, Benue, Lagos, and Delta, and I encountered the nation’s challenges firsthand. I saw the humanitarian crises and understood what needs to be addressed by local governments, governors, and the Federal Government. These experiences became the building blocks for my emergence as national chairman. They have given me a deeper perspective on the realities of this country. For instance, I was a consultant to UNICEF, covering all the states in the South-South and South-East. I visited several local government areas. That experience gave me a national outlook on what Nigeria truly looks like and what needs to be done. So, even though I may not be a traditional politician, I come into this role with a blend of private sector experience, university administration, knowledge of the electoral process, and now the drive to reengineer the party.
How do you intend to manage internal issues within the party?
Look at Mr President, soft-spoken and calm. He’s gentle, yet look at the tough decisions he’s making. He’s fearless, even in areas people shy away from discussing.
Will you be making tough decisions too?
Yes, I will. And the members are expecting me to. The confidence they have in me is anchored on the belief that I will take those tough decisions—albeit with a gentle, cooperative team spirit, all in the collective interest of the party. Tough choices won’t be made by me alone—it will involve the National Working Committee and broader party consultations. My role is to coordinate. I coordinate both the national and sub-national structures. The party structure begins at the ward level, which is under the control of the governors and state party chairmen. They are our field workers. At the national level, our primary task is coordination.
The governors nominated you?
They endorsed me.
You enjoy overwhelming support. What happened to those who didn’t see this coming? What kind of politics did you play, and how did you get here?
Our party has a structure. And you saw how exemplary the APC was, mature, without controversy. This party thrives on consultation. Everything was done through dialogue. That’s what politics is all about: consultation and consensus building at all levels.
What are you coming to do as national chairman?
My main goal is to unite the party. We have 23 governors, and the number is still growing.
Are there more governors coming into the APC?
Yes, we’re working on that. We will engage them directly. We’ll reach out to them. Fortunately, I have strong support from many key figures, including former governors, my predecessor, the former governor of Edo State, and the former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. I’ve had valuable interactions with former governors and a former vice president. Essentially, the starting eleven of the party is still intact.
They say charity begins at home. You lost the election in Plateau State. Some would question why someone who couldn’t win his state was made national chairman?
I prefer not to dwell on what happened in the 2023 general election. As national chairman, I won’t discuss internal party matters publicly. I am focused on the bigger picture—the future of this great party. The APC is the largest party in sub-Saharan Africa, in Nigeria, and arguably across the continent.
But to win hearts in the party, you need to win at home first.
Just wait and see what happens in 2027. Every election has its unique sentiments and emotions. But again, I’d rather focus on the bigger picture.
Can you win Plateau State?
Yes, of course. I can assure you.
There are reports that you’re talking to the governors of Bayelsa, Plateau, and Osun states. What’s the possibility of them joining the APC?
APC operates in an exemplary fashion. Nobody was on air pushing for me. We’ll continue to engage and reach out. Our doors are open.
Are you trying to turn Nigeria into a one-party state?
If Nigerians strongly believe that the APC can meet their political and developmental needs, why not? But let me be clear: we are not advocating for a one-party state. Never. Our goal is to make the APC the most preferred party in Nigeria. That is my mission.
When is Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso joining the APC?
I’ve always said our doors are open. People will join at their own time—especially after reviewing our manifesto, the government’s performance, and the bold decisions taken by Mr. President. For instance, many governors now experience a 40 per cent increase in revenue. Before now, most governors had to borrow to pay salaries. Today, no governor is borrowing to pay salaries. State debt profiles have improved. That’s a result of this government’s policies. If you’re a governor benefiting from such stability, you’d want it sustained. That’s why I say we must work with the sub-national units. Many key issues—such as power, education, and primary healthcare—are managed at the sub-national level. Teamwork is essential, and we’ll continue to strengthen that cooperation.
What if the average Nigerian says they’re not feeling the impact of this government?
That’s where my job as coordinator comes in—ensuring the effective implementation of our party’s manifesto. We have the Progressive Governors’ Forum and other key structures. One major plan is to deepen democracy through the Progressive Institute, championed by Mr. President. We want that institute to come alive and propagate progressive ideas because ideology gives structure and sustainability.
What is the ideology of the APC?
Progressivism.
Left-of-centre?
No.
Right-of-centre?
Yes. We’ve always been progressive.
Do you consider yourself welfarist progressives?
Absolutely. Before the APC, there was no social investment programme. APC introduced it. There was no student loan before APC. The government recently injected billions into the Bank of Agriculture. These are progressive initiatives targeted at the vulnerable. We aim to decentralise this impact beyond the federal level—to states and local governments. We want to see social investment programs, loan schemes, and agricultural support not just nationally but across all sub-national tiers. Some governors have already taken note of this. We want more to follow suit.
What will be your immediate priority?
My top priority is uniting the party.
Are you worried about the growing perception that your party is becoming unpopular?
That’s merely perception—driven by certain voices. As Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, I requested that the World Bank conduct a research study on our social investment programmes. Some people criticised the programme loudly. But the findings showed that 96% of beneficiaries at the grassroots level were satisfied. We interviewed people in rural areas—those without access to television or platforms to express their views. These are the people whose lives were genuinely impacted. They used the funds for school fees, health care, and small businesses. So, while critics speak from their comfort zone, many ordinary Nigerians have benefited significantly from these programmes.
Do you believe these people will vote for you during elections?
Of course.
Are you concerned about the opposition coalition?
There’s no opposition.
You mean PDP, ADC, and others aren’t a threat?
Zero fear.
How do you plan to keep it that way?
I shouldn’t reveal our strategy to the opposition. But look at the results of recent bye-elections—landslide victories for the APC. That shows we are doing something right. We welcome constructive criticism. I watch their clips and take notes—some of their points can even help us perform better.
What do you say to those claiming your party has no clear direction after two years in office?
Every candidate since 2003 has promised to remove fuel subsidies. But only one man dared to do it decisively—our President. That action gave direction and clarity to the economic policy.
Does the APC have a clear direction?
Absolutely. We’re improving revenue. Governors are seeing it. Crude oil production, which dropped below a million barrels per day, has now risen to 1.5 million, nearing 2 million. Security is improving. I recently signed an agreement to support the return of 120,000 Nigerians from Chad and Cameroon. Many displaced persons are returning home. Places previously under Boko Haram control are now accessible. Unsafe roads are now in use. It’s not yet perfect, but progress is being made—and steadily.
Will you miss the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs?
Yes, I will. Many of the policy changes I initiated were designed to uplift the poorest. The confidence that the ministry inspired in local communities and international partners was growing. The EU pledged €1 billion to support crisis victims in Benue State. I did the needs assessment and submitted a response plan. They responded positively. In Sokoto, I addressed malnutrition and broader humanitarian challenges. I pushed for both local and imported solutions. We secured €1.5 million. These efforts demonstrate the power of championing a cause for the most vulnerable among people experiencing poverty.
