President Bola Tinubu’s choice of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is more than a political reshuffle, it’s a carefully measured response to the party’s internal needs and the wider national mood.
At first glance, Nentawe may not have seemed the obvious candidate. He’s not one of the usual political heavyweights, nor does he come with a long list of partisan battles behind him. But that’s exactly why he appealed to Tinubu. In a party riddled with internal tensions and regional sensitivities, the President needed a figure who could be seen as neutral, competent, and above petty politicking.
One key reason is zoning. For months, the North-Central bloc had quietly demanded that the APC chairmanship be returned to the region. By picking Nentawe, a son of Plateau State, Tinubu not only honoured an unspoken political agreement, but also soothed simmering discontent in that part of the country, a region that could prove pivotal in 2027.
Then there’s Nentawe’s background. A professor of digital systems engineering with decades of technocratic and administrative experience, he brings a sense of order and professionalism to a party often accused of being chaotic and uncoordinated. Tinubu, a long-time believer in talent and structure, is clearly looking for someone who can rebuild the APC from within, not just politically, but organisationally.
Crucially, Nentawe isn’t viewed as a threat. He’s ambitious, yes, but loyal. He ran for governor in Plateau and served as a minister under Tinubu, roles that earned him credibility without making him a rival. His profile makes him just the kind of figure who can unify a broad coalition without overshadowing the President.
In many ways, Tinubu’s selection of Nentawe is classic political chess: a blend of strategic regional balance, quiet competence, and internal harmony, all in service of preparing the APC for the challenges of 2027.
