Yilwatda Brings Election Experience to Boost APC Ahead of 2027

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, is being positioned as a strong asset for the party as it looks ahead to the 2027 general elections.

His background in electoral processes is drawing attention within the party, especially from leaders in his home state of Plateau.

Yilwatda’s work with the Independent National Electoral Commission is viewed as a key factor that could shape APC’s election strategies. He served as a Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, where he gained firsthand knowledge of how Nigeria’s elections are run. That experience, according to party leaders, is expected to help the APC sharpen its tactics and planning.

He was visited by top APC figures from Plateau State, led by former governor Simon Lalong, at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. The visit was seen as a show of support and confidence in Yilwatda’s leadership. Party insiders believe his journey from an electoral official to a political candidate and then to a federal minister shows his deep involvement in both public service and politics.

Yilwatda has moved through several layers of leadership. After his time at INEC, he contested as a gubernatorial candidate under the APC banner and later served in the Federal Executive Council. This combination of technical knowledge and political experience is expected to guide his decisions as party chairman.

There are growing expectations that his presence will help the party avoid past mistakes and stay ahead of political rivals. While opposition parties are beginning to form coalitions, APC leaders are downplaying any threats, pointing out that those strategies have already been used against them in the past and are unlikely to work again.

Within the APC, there is a belief that having a chairman who is not a former governor is a break from the usual pattern. Yilwatda is seen as someone who represents a new wave of leadership that balances experience with a fresh perspective. His age and public service background are being seen as strengths that could appeal to both older and younger voters.

As political parties begin to prepare for the 2027 elections, the APC is counting on Yilwatda’s understanding of Nigeria’s electoral system and his growing influence within the party to give it an edge in the race.