By Israel Adamu, Jos
The newly elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has described his emergence as the party’s national leader as nothing short of a miracle.
Professor Nentawe made this known while receiving a delegation of APC members from Plateau State who paid him a courtesy visit. He said he never imagined he would become the leader of Africa’s largest political party and the ruling party in Nigeria.
“At no point did I contemplate becoming the chairman of the APC,” he said. “God works in miraculous ways that no mortal can stop or influence.”
He noted that his elevation to the exalted office marks a new chapter in the unity, progress, and strength of the APC. According to him, what matters most is ensuring the party’s success at all levels in the 2027 general elections.
“As National Chairman, my priority is to serve as a bridge between the youth and elders of our party,” he said. “We must work in unity to reach our desired destination.”
Professor Nentawe also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating avenues for youth empowerment. He revealed that the President has made over ₦1 trillion available through the Bank of Industry for youth development and urged Plateau youths to take full advantage of the opportunity.
In a statement signed by Shittu Bamaiyi, Acting Publicity Secretary of the APC in Plateau State, and made available to journalists, Professor Nentawe declared that the APC’s return to power in Plateau by 2027 is already assured.
He cited the defection of entire structures of the Labour Party, the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and a third of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC as a strong indicator of the party’s dominance.
The National Chairman expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and members of the APC National Executive Council for entrusting him with the party’s leadership. He also thanked APC supporters in Plateau for their steadfast support and pledged not to disappoint them.
Earlier, Plateau State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Rufus Bature, said the visit was to express solidarity and assure the new National Chairman of continued support from the Plateau APC family.
Bature described Professor Nentawe’s election as a great honor and recognition for the people of Plateau State, promising that the gesture would be reciprocated.
Also speaking, leader of the party in Plateau State and former Minister of Labour, Senator Simon Lalong, said Nentawe’s emergence has repositioned Plateau at the national level.
“With his election, Plateau has been relaunched and recalibrated,” Lalong said. “I’m confident that the new chairman will revitalize the party in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Plateau delegation included members of the APC State Executive Committee, serving National Assembly members, local government chairmen, party elders, and former Deputy Governor, Dame Pauline Tallen.
