Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Nentawe Yilwatda, to closely collaborate with his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in preparing the party for the 2027 general elections.
Yilwatda revealed this during a condolence visit from Ganduje at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, following the death of his mother. He acknowledged the significance of Ganduje’s political experience and indicated his willingness to rely on it as he adjusts to his new role.
He stated: “My doors are open, the office is open, the partnership remains open, and the friendship remains open. So never lock your door against me — and I know you will not — because we have worked together long before this time.”
Yilwatda added that President Tinubu had specifically encouraged him to work closely with Ganduje.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has asked me to work with you, to reach out to you as well about partnership,” he said.
“I told him I would regard you still as a Chairman in partnership with me. You are still the co-Chairman of the party (APC). I am only a coordinator. My duty is simply to coordinate the membership of this party. But the party belongs to all of us.”
Reflecting on Ganduje’s political pedigree, Yilwatda said “We are all collective leaders of the party. Moreover, by experience and by virtue of politics, you have been there long before me. Since the time of the NPN, you have been part of the political scene.”
He recounted a childhood memory to emphasize Ganduje’s long-standing involvement in politics.
“At that time, I was only in primary school. I recall that we used to see Governor Rimi come to Jos in the 70s and 80s to visit Solomon Lar. One day, he came to commission a project at my school. I was just in Form 2, waving at them along with my classmates, I never knew what politics truly meant. By then, people like you had already mastered the ropes of politics, while we didn’t even know the definition of politics.”
Reiterating the importance of Ganduje’s mentorship, Yilwatda added:
“So I need your experience. I need your guidance. The learning curve still rests with you. I will depend heavily on your experience, your connections, and your contacts to ensure we solidify this party and build it together, so that we can win more elections.”
In response, Ganduje pledged to maintain a harmonious relationship with his successor, defying the trend of strained ties between predecessors and successors in Nigerian politics.
“One important thing is that the problem between successor and his predecessor, which is one of the issues that APC has solved,” Ganduje noted.
“So, in order to show examples, I am sure you know that since 1999 the problem between former Governors and their successors has always been an issue up till now in many states of the federation.”
He emphasized that the cordial bond he shares with Yilwatda should serve as a model for Nigerian democracy.
“Not only in governorship, but in other positions, especially in politics. So our relationship is the beginning to solve that kind of problem, not only in APC but in the whole atmosphere of democracy. I have to congratulate you for this new appointment.”
