From Atang Izang, Jos
The long awaited succession to the National Chair of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has finally been filled as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reductions, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has succeeded Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as the substantive chairman.
Several names who were tipped to become the next leader of the party. were Sen. Joshua C. Dariye, former governor of Plateau State, Sen George Akune, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF among others.
But source said, President Tinubu settled for the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reductions as his preferred choice, which the party stakeholders approved.
He was appointed Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reductions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in October 2024.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, he is the son of the late Rev and Mrs Toma Yilwatda.
He studied Electrical/Electronic Engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, graduating in 1992.
He obtained his Master’s in Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a specialisation in Digital Systems Engineering.
Yilwatda has international training in e-governance from the United Nations University in Macau, China.
He served as the coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign in Plateau State, during the 2023 general elections and contested the governorship election under the APC platform, which he lost.
He is a loyal party man maintains a strong alliance with former Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong.
