After over two years of sustained pressure and agitation, the North-Central region of Nigeria is celebrating a major political win with the emergence of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Yilwatda's appointment was officially confirmed during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday. He replaces Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down from the position on June 27, 2023.

The North-Central APC Forum, which has been at the forefront of the push for the region to reclaim the chairmanship role, hailed the appointment as a “hard-fought victory for justice and equity.” According to the forum, this marks the successful end of a struggle driven by the principle of fairness and the party’s own zoning arrangements.

“For more than two years, we have been consistent in demanding that the chairmanship be returned to the North-Central,” said Forum Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga in a statement. “We staged protests, went to court, wrote open letters, and issued statements—but we always maintained respect for party leadership.”

The forum also thanked President Bola Tinubu for heeding their call, describing him as a “listening President” with a strong sense of justice and political fairness.

“This decision proves that President Tinubu is truly responsive and committed to inclusive leadership,” the forum added. “His political will has been evident in both party affairs and national governance.”

The group pledged that the North-Central region will now be even more committed to supporting the APC, promising to deliver six million votes for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

They expressed confidence in Yilwatda’s ability to lead the APC to greater heights, citing his impressive record in public service. Yilwatda previously served as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, Director of ICT at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and most recently, as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, where he was praised for effective crisis response and expanding social protection programs.

Yilwatda also flew the APC flag in the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State and coordinated the Tinubu/Shettima campaign in the state during the last general election.

As he assumes his new role, the North-Central APC Forum has pledged full support and is calling on all party members nationwide to unite behind the new National Chairman to strengthen and reposition the party.

“This is not just a win for North-Central—it’s a win for justice, equity, and the future of the APC,” the forum concluded.