Former Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, has described the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic advantage for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the APC National Secretariat on Thursday, Senator Lalong emphasized that Professor Yilwatda’s tenure as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) equips him with invaluable experience that will benefit the party significantly.
“Professor Yilwatda is not a political novice. He served as REC in Benue State for four years, from July 2017 to December 2021. Afterwards, he contested and emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate in Plateau State during the last general elections. That alone speaks volumes about his political journey and credibility,” Lalong said.
He added that Yilwatda’s subsequent role as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction further strengthens his leadership profile.
“Becoming a minister of the Federal Republic and now National Chairman of the APC is not a coincidence. His experience in electoral matters, coupled with his humanitarian engagements, places him in a unique position to lead the party effectively, especially with a focus on elections,” Lalong stated.
Addressing concerns that the APC’s new national chairman lacks the traditional political background often associated with former governors, Lalong disagreed strongly.
“It’s no longer mandatory for a national chairman to be a former governor. We’ve had former governors in that role who didn’t last long. What matters now is competence and the ability to connect with the grassroots, particularly the youth, women, and children. Professor Yilwatda speaks their language and understands their needs,” he noted.
Lalong also highlighted Yilwatda’s deep understanding of Nigeria’s electoral landscape, noting, “When you talk about party politics, you’re talking about elections. Who better to understand that terrain than someone who has conducted elections himself? His knowledge is a strategic asset for the APC.”
Also speaking at the visit, former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, applauded President Bola Tinubu for Yilwatda’s appointment, expressing optimism that it would usher in greater achievements for the party and the administration.
“I believe his emergence will open more doors for impactful leadership under Mr. President,” Tallen remarked.
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