The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has described his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, as “Co-Chairman” of the ruling party.
Yilwatda said he would rely heavily on Ganduje’s experience, guidance, and political networks to consolidate and strengthen the APC.
He explained that his role was only to coordinate the party, while leadership remains a collective responsibility.
He made this known in Abuja on Wednesday during a condolence visit by Ganduje over the death of his mother.
Tinubu directs Yilwatda to work with Ganduje
Speaking at the meeting, Yilwatda revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed him to work closely with Ganduje.
The APC Chairman said:
“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.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has asked me to work with you, to reach out to you as well about partnership. 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).”
He added, “I am only a coordinator. My duty is simply to coordinate the membership of this party. But the party belongs to all of us.”
Ganduje’s long political history praised
Yilwatda stressed that Ganduje’s long career, which dates back to the days of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), placed him in a unique position to provide valuable counsel.
He recalled his own early days in school while leaders like Ganduje were already shaping Nigerian politics.
He said, “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.
“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.”
Ganduje hails healthy transition in APC
Responding, Ganduje said his cordial relationship with Yilwatda should serve as an example of how political predecessors and successors can work together without conflict.
He noted, “One important thing is that the problem between the successor and his predecessor, which is one of the issues that the APC has solved. So in order to show examples, I am sure you know it 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.
“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 the APC but in the whole atmosphere of democracy. I have to congratulate you for this new appointment.”
