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Opens door for opposition party members, NASS
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, formally assumed office at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, declaring that the 2027 presidential election is a “done deal” for the ruling party.
The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development spoke during his inaugural meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) after arriving at Buhari House in a Land Cruiser at 4:25 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
He announced that under his leadership, the APC would open its doors wide to new members from opposition parties, particularly from both chambers of the National Assembly.
“I appreciate Nigerians supporting the APC and standing by the APC. Our doors are open to welcome new members. We look forward to having more governors, more senators, more National Assembly members, more local government chairmen, and more party members. We will expand beyond bounds. By God’s grace, I am sure the 2027 election is a done deal for the APC,” he assured.
Appealing to NWC members and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) not to sabotage his efforts, Yilwatda claimed that with unity of purpose, the APC would become the joy, pride, and bright light of the nation.
“It is our collective effort, and I am sure that by putting our hands on deck collectively, this party will be great. This party will be the joy, the pride, and the bright light of the entire nation, and that is what I look forward to under our collective leadership,” he said.
“I count it a rare privilege and must appreciate God, the leadership of our party, our governors, the National Assembly, NWC members, and all the teeming loyal supporters of the APC for entrusting me with this burden of trust. It is both a trust and a burden because it is quite heavy. I know I have veterans, supporters, and friends in the NWC around me. I have worked with them before, met virtually all NWC members in person, whether monitoring elections, conducting primaries, or campaigning in several states together,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Festus Faunter, formally resigned his position in the early hours of Thursday, July 24, 2025, due to Yilwatda’s emergence as chairman, as both hail from Plateau State. The resignation aligns with the APC’s constitution, which stipulates that two national officers cannot come from the same state.
The National Legal Adviser, Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, SAN, has been appointed by stakeholders during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to replace Faunter.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the PGF, Hope Uzodimma, who moved the motion for Yilwatda’s emergence as chairman, expressed optimism about the party’s future.
“As we turn this page, it is imperative that we quickly nominate a capable and unifying replacement, someone who can build on the foundation laid and help reposition the party to its rightful place of pride in Nigeria’s democratic history,” Uzodimma said.
“I also commend the notable progress made on the party’s membership e-registration exercise. This is a vital step in deepening internal democracy, ensuring credible data-driven planning, and opening new channels of inclusion for millions of Nigerians who wish to identify with the APC. The advantages of this innovation are far-reaching and timely, and as we modernise our operations and prepare for future engagements, we wish to encourage this exercise. The future of the APC is bright. The leadership of President Bola Tinubu continues to inspire renewed confidence in governance,” he added.
