ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intensify efforts in governance delivery, particularly in security, grassroots mobilisation, and food sovereignty. The President issued the directive during the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, where Professor Nentawe Yilwatda was officially ratified as the party’s new National Chairman.
Tinubu emphasised that the performance of APC governors would be central to the party’s chances in the 2027 elections, urging them to lead the charge in delivering tangible developmental outcomes.
“Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots. You must wet the grass more. Lead the charge in delivering progressive change,” Tinubu said, highlighting the need for zonal-level engagement and enhanced party mobilisation.
The President, who also announced plans for a new APC national secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), called on the governors to support land acquisition efforts in collaboration with the FCT Minister. “We must leave behind a legacy of development,” he added.
Tinubu received a renewed vote of confidence from party leaders and restated his commitment to economic and security reforms. He noted that the nation’s economy is stabilising, while security operations have led to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and bandits. However, he warned against complacency.
“We must remain vigilant and continue expanding investment in security infrastructure and personnel,” he said.
The President further reiterated his administration’s pursuit of food sovereignty and called on governors to align their states’ agricultural policies with federal efforts to boost local food production and reduce reliance on imports.
In a show of national unity, Tinubu welcomed two opposition governors—Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta—to the meeting, calling their attendance a gesture of national solidarity.
The NEC meeting culminated in the ratification of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, a technocrat and former governorship candidate in Plateau State, as the new APC National Chairman. His emergence followed a strategic reshuffling backed by President Tinubu and key party stakeholders to reposition the APC ahead of 2027.
Yilwatda, an expert in Artificial Intelligence and former Resident Electoral Commissioner with INEC, replaces Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. His appointment reflects Tinubu’s broader strategy of inclusivity in zoning, religion, and youth representation.
In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda pledged inclusive leadership, unity, and strategic reforms. “Together, we will fix the APC and drive it to our desired destination. I will take bold decisions, expand the party, and work to bring more PDP governors into the APC,” he stated.
Later appearing on Channels TV, Yilwatda reiterated plans to aggressively mobilise opposition figures and strengthen the party’s national appeal. Outgoing chairman Ganduje praised Tinubu’s leadership and expressed confidence in Yilwatda’s capacity to consolidate and build on existing party structures.
At the meeting, APC NEC approved key motions, including the re-zoning of the National Chairmanship to the North Central, fulfilling long-standing agitation from the region. Professor AbdulKarim Kana (Nasarawa) was reassigned from National Legal Adviser to Deputy National Secretary, while Barrister Murtala from Katsina was appointed as the new National Legal Adviser. NEC also extended the tenure of ward and local government executives until December 31, 2025, and endorsed the ongoing digital membership registration drive led by National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), lauded Tinubu for his visionary leadership and expressed optimism over the party’s future. “Under your leadership, the APC has made irreversible progress in economy, security, and governance reforms. We must now ensure our internal structures reflect this progress,” Uzodimma stated.
The North Central APC Forum celebrated Yilwatda’s emergence, hailing it as a hard-fought victory for fairness and zoning justice. In a statement signed by Chairman Saleh Zazzaga, the group expressed gratitude to Tinubu and the party NEC. “Our cries have been heard. Justice and equity have prevailed. The North Central is now more committed than ever to the success of the APC,” it stated.
The zone pledged to deliver six million votes to Tinubu in 2027, buoyed by restored confidence in the party’s leadership distribution.
With a new party chairman in place and internal reforms underway, the APC appears to be shifting into full mobilisation mode ahead of 2027. Tinubu’s message was clear: the next electoral victory will rest not only on his administration’s performance but on the governors’ ability to connect with citizens, secure communities, and deliver on key promises. Yilwatda’s leadership will now be tested on how well he can unite divergent interests, expand APC’s reach, and translate the party’s “Renewed Hope” mantra into political dividends.
