The recent appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) arrived not as a quiet political formality, but as a thunderclap of surprise—one that stirred waves of curiosity, admiration, and cautious optimism across the nation. In a country where leadership changes often provoke skepticism or silence, this one inspired celebration. It was as if, for once, a significant swath of Nigerians found themselves nodding in agreement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision, seeing in it a rare glimpse of strategic brilliance rather than political maneuvering. There was applause not just for the man chosen, but for the message his appointment seemed to send.
At just 57, Professor Nentawe defies the template of the recycled political elite. His background—a technocrat, an academic, an ICT expert—sparkles against the grain of Nigeria’s usual leadership picks. His record of integrity, untarnished by scandal or corruption allegations, made his emergence even more magnetic. It felt like a break from tradition, a departure from the familiar road of power-sharing among tired faces. His roots in Plateau State, a region unaccustomed to producing national party leaders, added another layer of significance. His Christian faith, too, quietly disarmed the rhetoric of regional or religious exclusion, particularly in a political climate often clouded by allegations of marginalisation.
Yet, just as the celebration was taking flight, another conversation began to stir in the background—a subtle shift in mood from excitement to contemplation. Some began to wonder aloud if Professor Nentawe’s talents, his background as an ICT specialist and his experience as a Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, might have found a better home at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral commission. The whispers grew louder: shouldn’t someone with his profile be preparing to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman instead?
But the counterargument came swiftly. Those fantasizing about Nentawe as Nigeria’s next electoral umpire seemed to forget his deep partisan ties. He’s not just a member of the APC; he’s a former gubernatorial candidate and, until his new appointment, served as a federal minister. How, then, could such a man be expected to referee the nation’s elections with the detachment and neutrality that INEC demands? The same voices that proposed his name for INEC would likely be the first to cry foul when questions of fairness arose. The credibility of an election cannot be built on foundations perceived as partisan, no matter how competent the individual may be.
Still, the debate had already morphed into something bigger—an exploration of what kind of person should become the next INEC Chairman. The answer was no longer just about qualifications or skills, but identity, geography, and representation. For many, the conversation quickly turned to the undercurrents of regional imbalance. The South East, despite being one of Nigeria’s major ethnic and political zones, has never produced an INEC chairman. Neither has Niger State in the North Central region—a place too often treated as an afterthought in national appointments, as though its cultural proximity to the North West has somehow blurred its place in the political map.
With Nentawe now heading the ruling party, attention has shifted. Those who previously pitched him for INEC are now turning toward Niger State with renewed insistence. The call is not just for equity; it’s for symbolism. In a climate of widening trust deficits, appointing a neutral, capable figure from a historically overlooked region might offer the kind of healing gesture the country badly needs.
The demand gains urgency when you trace the appointments around the North Central region. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation is from Benue, the North Central Development Commission is based in Nasarawa with leadership from the same zone, and now the APC National Chairman is from Plateau. Even the Deputy National Secretary of the APC hails from Nasarawa. Where then does that leave Niger? A region with population, history, and political weight—yet curiously absent from the center stage. The perception of marginalisation grows, especially when viewed alongside President Tinubu’s close political and cultural ties to Kwara, which many see as an extension of the South West.
If equity is to mean anything, these signs cannot be ignored.
The appeal for an INEC chairman from Niger State is not just about balancing quotas; it’s about rekindling faith in a system that often seems rigged against the voiceless. The argument that ICT expertise should be a core qualification adds another dimension to the debate. After all, if our elections continue to suffer from delays, technical glitches, and logistic nightmares, why shouldn’t we prioritize someone with a sharp digital mind?
But constitutional expectations also matter. While Nigeria’s laws do not spell out rigid criteria for the INEC chair, precedent speaks volumes. The position has always gone to individuals of high intellect, integrity, and experience. Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the current chairman, holds a PhD in History from Oxford. His predecessors have been judges, professors, diplomats—individuals whose records blend academic brilliance with public service.
What is clear is that the next INEC chairman must be more than just a technocrat. The role demands someone with profound political insight, legal awareness, administrative acumen, and emotional intelligence. It must be someone who can command respect across party lines and remain untouchable by partisan winds. They must be skilled in managing vast logistical operations and willing to drive electoral reforms, ensuring that votes are not just cast but counted accurately, timely, and transparently.
This is no job for amateurs.
Looking back, Nigeria’s electoral umpire has worn many faces. From Eyo Ita Esua, a schoolteacher and union leader, to scholars like Eme Awa and Humphrey Nwosu, to justices like Akpata, and technocrats like Maurice Iwu and Attahiru Jega, the line-up tells a story of evolving expectations. Today, the stakes are higher, the demands heavier. The next chairman must not only be capable—they must be seen as capable. Their emergence must inspire trust, not suspicion.
As Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s second and final term ends on December 31, 2025, the selection of his successor will be a defining moment. It must not be squandered on political expedience or favoritism. The Senate confirmation process must be more than a formality—it must serve as a national inquest into the character and competence of the nominee.
This is why Niger State matters. This is why the South East matters. Their long absence from such high-stakes appointments stings—not just because of regional pride, but because democracy thrives on the perception of fairness. The recent appointment of Hon. Kayode Oladele from Ogun as the Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, alongside other plum roles going to the South West like the Federal Civil service Commission (FCSC), only deepens the wound.
Justice must not only be done—it must be felt.
In the end, the curious storm stirred by Nentawe Yilwatda’s ascent is more than just noise around a political appointment. It’s a mirror reflecting deeper national concerns—about inclusion, representation, fairness, and the integrity of the very institutions that uphold democracy. Whether it’s the Federal Character Commission (FCC ) or the INEC chairmanship, the time has come for deliberate, healing, forward-thinking appointments. The country is watching. Hope is fragile. And history is taking notes.
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