APC Convention: Yilwatda emerges Chairman as NWC gets major shake-up

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a fully reconstituted National Working Committee (NWC) following its national convention in Abuja, with Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda stepping in as the party’s new national chairman.

The convention, which drew more than 8,453 delegates from across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, saw three erstwhile NWC members dropped from the leadership roster.

Among those replaced are Deputy National Chairman (South) Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Deputy National Organising Secretary Nze Duru, and National Financial Secretary Hon. Bashir Gumel.

In their place, the party elected a new 24-member NWC, balancing continuity with fresh leadership.

Yilwatda, a former governorship candidate from Plateau State, now leads the party alongside Hon. Abubakar Dalori (Borno) as Deputy National Chairman (North) and Dr Ben Nwoye (Enugu) as Deputy National Chairman (South).

The full NWC comprises:

• National Chairman: Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda (Plateau)

• Deputy National Chairman (North): Hon. Abubakar Dalori (Borno)

• Deputy National Chairman (South): Dr Ben Nwoye (Enugu)

• National Secretary: Sen. Surajudeen Basiru (Osun)

• Deputy National Secretary: Prof. Abdulkarim Kana (Nasarawa)

• National Vice-Chairman (North-Central): Mu’azu Rijau (Niger)

• National Vice-Chairman (North-East): Dr Mustapha Salihu (Adamawa)

• National Vice-Chairman (North-West): Hon. Mohammed Datti (Kaduna)

• National Vice-Chairman (South-East): Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Imo)

• National Vice-Chairman (South-South): Chief Victor Tom Giadom (Rivers)

• National Vice-Chairman (South-West): Isaac Kekemeke (Ondo)

• National Legal Adviser: Muritala Kankia (Katsina)

• National Treasurer: Uguru Ofoke (Ebonyi)

• National Financial Secretary: (Name not specified in convention returns)

• National Organising Secretary: Suleiman Argungun (Kebbi)

Alongside the NWC members, the convention also inaugurated all deputy national officers, six national ex-officio members, and zonal officers elected during the party’s six zonal congresses held on March 18. The outcome reflects the party leadership’s effort to refresh its hierarchy while maintaining regional balance ahead of future electoral cycles.