By: Daure David
In a move that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has overseen the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), effectively sidelining the legacy Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc led by Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. This development marks a significant realignment within the ruling party, drawing a clear battle line between the old Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) faction and the remnants of Buhari’s CPC loyalists.
Loading ...Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, a technocrat and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, was sworn in following a decisive National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. His emergence, while celebrated by some as a breath of fresh air, has been interpreted by others as a calculated move by Tinubu to consolidate power within the ACN bloc and also wooed Christian minorities votes from the north central. Yilwatda’s appointment came at the expense of Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State and a prominent CPC figure, who had been widely tipped for the role.
The CPC bloc, which played a pivotal role in the APC’s formation and its historic victory in 2015, has increasingly found itself on the margins of party leadership. Despite Al-Makura’s recent endorsement by multiple party groups and his record of loyalty and performance, the chairmanship was handed to Yilwatda a move many interpret as a strategic rebuff considering the fact that Simon Lalong was the Director General Of Tinubu campaign in 2023 yet they failed to deliver Plateau State to APC.
The chairmanship position, originally zoned to the North-Central region, became a flashpoint of contention. While both Al-Makura and Yilwatda hail from the zone, the choice of the latter who is perceived as less aligned with the CPC legacy has deepened internal rifts. Party insiders suggest that Tinubu’s preference for a technocratic and digitally savvy leader was driven by a desire to modernize the APC and appeal to younger voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, critics argue that this shift undermines the spirit of equity and inclusion that birthed the APC. The CPC bloc, once a cornerstone of northern political mobilization, now faces an existential crisis within the party it helped build.
With the 2027 general elections looming, Tinubu’s maneuvering signals a broader strategy to reshape the APC in his image. By elevating ACN loyalists and sidelining CPC stalwarts, the president appears intent on consolidating his influence and neutralizing potential dissent. This could either unify the party under a singular vision or fracture it further along legacy lines.
The CPC bloc’s response will be critical. While some members, including Al-Makura, have reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and Tinubu’s administration, others may view this as a final straw prompting realignments or defections that could reshape Nigeria’s political terrain that will undermine APC ahead 2027.
The appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman is more than a routine leadership change it is a symbolic and strategic recalibration of power within the ruling party. As the ACN bloc tightens its grip, the CPC legacy faces an uncertain future. Whether this move strengthens the APC or sows seeds of discord will depend on how the party navigates its internal contradictions in the months ahead.
Time will tell..
