Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has described the emergence of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a significant departure from the party’s perceived tradition.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News Friday night, Oshiomhole noted that the APC has finally dispelled the notion that only former governors could become National Chairman of the party. He also emphasized that while Yilwatda may appear calm and easygoing, appearances should not be mistaken for lack of capacity.
“It’s too early to say. Too early to say. You can’t know anyone. But you give him the opportunity. Looks can be quite deceiving,” Oshiomhole said in response to a question about the new chairman’s potential to lead the party effectively.
According to Hobnob News, Professor Yilwatda, a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, was appointed on Wednesday as the new National Chairman of the APC. He is now tasked with steering the affairs of a party that controls over 20 states and holds the majority in the National Assembly.
Oshiomhole, who is a former APC National Chairman and also a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), recalled the dominance of former governors in the role, stating, “Unwittingly, APC was beginning to establish as though it’s a tradition that you must first be a governor and out of office as a governor before you become chairman of APC.”
He cited the example of Chief Bisi Akande, the founding chairman of the APC and former governor of Osun State, as the beginning of the pattern.
“But I think it was even important, even for the optics, to reassure party members that there is no position that is reserved. You don’t have to be a former governor. I think that point has been very well made by the choice of Yilwatda,” Oshiomhole added.
In an earlier interview on Channels Television, Yilwatda said he intends to adopt the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his new role.
