During a high‑level National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was officially confirmed as the new substantive National Chairman of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naijaonpoint reports that this development puts to rest the intense speculation over who will replace the immediate past national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned from the position on health grounds.
Yilwatda’s emergence as APC National Chairman comes amid pressure on the ruling party as leaders gathered to chart a new direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
From Akande To Yilwatda
Since its formation in 2013, the APC has emerged as Nigeria’s dominant political party, having produced a sitting president twice and maintaining a strong presence across multiple states.
Over the years, the party has undergone several leadership changes, some shaped by elections, others by internal crises or political calculations.
Below is the list of all APC National Chairmen since the party’s inception.
Naijaonpoint reports that following the historic merger of Nigeria’s major opposition parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); the APC was officially registered on July 31, 2013.
A former Osun State Governor and a prominent figure from the ACN bloc, Chief Bisi Akande, was appointed Interim National Chairman for the then newly formed APC.
His tenure was mainly transitional, overseeing the party’s formative structure and groundwork toward the 2015 general elections.
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun [June 2014 – June 2018]
John Odigie-Oyegun became the APC’s first substantive National Chairman during the party’s inaugural national convention in June 2014.
Under his leadership, the APC achieved its most significant political breakthrough, unseating an incumbent president for the first time in Nigeria’s democratic history when Muhammadu Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
However, internal wrangling, particularly between Oyegun and some powerful governors and party leaders, including Bola Tinubu, led to his replacement after his four-year tenure.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole [June 2018 – June 2020]
A former labour leader and two-term Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, was widely perceived as a strongman brought in to instil party discipline and centralise authority.
While his tenure witnessed strong control over party affairs and decisive actions, such as enforcing internal democracy in primaries, it was also marked by severe infighting, including high-profile clashes with governors and stakeholders.
Oshiomhole’s suspension by his ward and subsequent legal battles led to his eventual ouster in June 2020.
Governor Mai Mala Buni [June 2020 – March 2022]
Naijaonpoint reports that following Oshiomhole’s exit, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed as Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
His task was to unify warring factions and prepare for a national convention.
Originally intended to be a short-term role, Buni’s chairmanship lasted nearly two years. He supervised the party’s revalidation exercise and eventually presided over the 2022 convention that elected a new substantive chairman.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu [March 2022 – July 2023]
At the March 26, 2022, national convention, former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, emerged as APC National Chairman through a consensus arrangement, reportedly endorsed by then-President Buhari.
However, Adamu’s tenure was short-lived and turbulent.
He was frequently accused of running the party like a personal estate and allegedly failed to carry the National Working Committee (NWC) along.
His resignation in July 2023 came amid pressure from party leaders and internal dissent.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje [August 2023 – June 2025]
The former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, was appointed the APC National Chairman on August 3, 2023, following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu from the position.
Ganduje’s selection drew criticism, particularly from North Central leaders who argued the position was originally zoned to their region.
Ganduje’s time as chairman was marred by internal agitation and credibility issues, especially from his home state, where the APC suffered setbacks. In June 2025, Ganduje stepped down from the position, citing health challenges.
Ali Bukar Dalori – Acting [June 27, 2025 To July 24, 2025]
Following Ganduje’s resignation, Ali Bukar Dalori (Deputy National Chairman (North)) was appointed Acting National Chairman of the APC effective June 27, 2025.
Subsequently, on July 24, 2025, during a high‑level NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was officially confirmed as the new substantive National Chairman of the APC as the ruling party gears up for the 2027 general elections.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yilwatda hails from a devout Christian family, the late Rev and Mrs Toma Yilwatda, Naijaonpoint understands.
He holds a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (1992), a master’s from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Between 2017 and 2021, Yilwatda served as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), resigning to contest the APC governorship primary in 2022.
He eventually emerged as the party’s flagbearer but lost to PDP’s Caleb Mutfwang in the general election.
A former ICT Director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Yilwatda has worked as a consultant for international development partners and has nearly three decades of public and private sector experience. He is also a seasoned lecturer and community development expert.
Yilwatda was appointed minister following the resignation of his political mentor, Simon Lalong, who vacated the role to reclaim his Senate seat after a Court of Appeal ruling upturned the initial PDP victory in Plateau South.
During the 2023 presidential elections, Yilwatda served as the state coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation, further cementing his loyalty to the ruling party and its current leadership.
Yilwatda was a former APC governorship candidate in Plateau State and a close ally of former Governor Simon Lalong.