APC Chairman Nentawe Pledges to Take Bold Decisions in Tinubu’s FootstepsProfessor Nentawe Yilwatda, the newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has pledged to bring a unique blend of gentility and decisiveness to the party’s leadership, drawing inspiration from President Bola Tinubu. In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on July 24, 2025, Nentawe addressed concerns about his calm and easygoing demeanor, asserting his readiness to tackle the tough side of Nigerian politics.“There are many who say Nentawe is calm, gentle, and easygoing. Are you ready for that tough side of politics?” the interviewer asked. Nentawe responded with confidence: “Look at the body language of Mr. President, soft-spoken, calm, gentle, but look at how he is driving the country, taking tough decisions that people even fear to discuss. I will take tough decisions.”Nentawe’s appointment as APC National Chairman, following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje due to ill health, has sparked widespread discussion about his ability to navigate Nigeria’s complex political landscape. As the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Nentawe is seen as a technocrat rather than a traditional politician, a shift from the APC’s history of appointing former governors to the role. In his first public remarks as chairman, Nentawe described his new role as “a burden” but vowed to deliver good governance and ensure electoral success for the APC. He emphasized his intent to consult widely with party stakeholders and foster teamwork while making bold moves to strengthen the party’s position. “The confidence they have in me is to make sure I take tough decisions but with gentility and teamwork for the collective interest of the party,” he said. A key part of Nentawe’s strategy is to expand the APC’s influence by wooing governors from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “Our doors are open,” he said, confirming ongoing discussions with prominent opposition figures, including Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Nentawe attributed the APC’s appeal to the Tinubu administration’s policies and performance, noting that “people are seeing the manifesto of the party, seeing the performance of the government, seeing also the tough decisions the president has taken.” Nentawe also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s security situation, citing the return of over 30,000 refugees from Chad and Cameroon as evidence of progress under the APC-led government. “Places that were taken over by Boko Haram, that people could not access, are now safe,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain patient with the administration’s “renewed hope” agenda. His emergence as chairman has not been without controversy. Some analysts suggest that Nentawe’s appointment reflects a strategic move by the APC to pacify the North Central region and address criticisms of the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket by selecting a Christian leader from Plateau State. However, APC National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim emphasized that Nentawe’s selection was primarily about bringing a technocratic perspective to the role. “They wanted someone who could steer the party towards the convention,” Ibrahim said. As Nentawe steps into this high-stakes position, all eyes are on how he will balance his gentle demeanor with the tough decisions he has promised to make. With the 2027 elections looming, his leadership will be critical in shaping the APC’s future and maintaining its dominance in Nigerian politics.
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APC Chairman Nentawe Pledges to Take Bold Decisions in Tinubu’s Footsteps - NigerianEye
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