APC Power Chess: Yilwatda’s Emergence Boosts Shettima and North-East’s 2027 Prospects

APC Power Chess: Yilwatda’s Emergence Boosts Shettima and North-East’s 2027 Prospects

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The appointment of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is already reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, signaling a calculated move to strengthen Vice President Kashim Shettima’s 2027 ambitions.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) surprised many political observers this week by naming Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman in a decision that blends strategy, zoning politics, and religious balancing. The move, confirmed during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting, is being described as one of President Bola Tinubu’s most strategic political maneuvers since assuming office.

A Calculated Move Ahead of 2027
Yilwatda, a technocrat and former university professor from Plateau State in the North-Central zone, replaces Abdullahi Ganduje. Analysts believe his appointment is designed to neutralize internal tensions while positioning the ruling party favorably for the 2027 general elections.

With opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi still commanding influence, the APC appears determined to avoid internal fractures. By selecting Yilwatda, the party not only pacifies aggrieved factions but also strengthens Vice President Shettima’s political leverage within the party hierarchy... Read complete content click link below

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Zoning and Shettima’s Political Future Before Yilwatda’s emergence, the acting APC chairman, Ali Dalori, hailed from Borno State — the same North-East zone as Vice President Shettima. This overlap was seen as a potential stumbling block for Shettima’s 2027 prospects, especially if Tinubu decides not to seek re-election.

With the chairmanship now in the North-Central, Shettima’s path appears clearer, and the APC’s power structure looks better balanced for succession planning.

Religious Balancing
Yilwatda’s Christian faith is another critical factor in the appointment. Following the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinubu and Shettima, the APC faced criticism from sections of the Christian community. Yilwatda’s leadership is viewed as a symbolic gesture of inclusivity, particularly aimed at regaining support from the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria.

“The choice of Yilwatda is a deliberate attempt to show that the APC values diversity and unity,” said a party insider, noting that the North-Central region has often felt sidelined in national politics.

Technocrat Turned Politician
Prof. Yilwatda’s career spans academia, governance, and public service. A former INEC commissioner and APC governorship candidate in Plateau State, he brings a mix of grassroots political experience and international exposure, having worked with institutions like the UN, World Bank, and EU.

Despite losing his governorship bid to the PDP in 2023, Yilwatda’s leadership style and digital governance expertise are seen as assets for modernizing APC’s operations and expanding its youth appeal.

Internal Dynamics and Power Brokers
Behind the scenes, speculation persists about the role of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the current National Security Adviser, who some insiders say could be groomed as a possible alternative to Shettima in 2027. Ribadu’s silence on these rumors has only fueled further debate, but Yilwatda’s emergence may tilt the scales in Shettima’s favor.

Reactions from APC Chieftains
Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, praised the decision, describing Yilwatda as a “brilliant academic and strategic thinker” capable of uniting the party’s factions.

“I don’t see Nentawe as a pushover,” Shittu said. “He will hold his ground against party heavyweights and governors.”

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Source: [Punch](https://punchng.com/apc-power-chess-yilwatda-pick-brightens-shettima-neasts-2027-chances/)

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