 from the North-Central zone.){kind=link}
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has pushed back against criticism from a group of stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-Central zone, who accused him of underperformance despite growing humanitarian challenges in the region.
The North-Central APC Forum, led by Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, had on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction with Yilwatda’s handling of his ministerial responsibilities since his appointment in October 2024.
They claimed the minister has been largely invisible in the face of worsening insecurity and humanitarian crises, particularly in Plateau State, his home state.
Referring to figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the forum noted that between March 27 and April 2, no fewer than 52 people were killed and over 1,800 displaced in Plateau.
Despite this, they alleged that Yilwatda had failed to visit affected areas or engage with displaced communities.
Instead, they pointed out that it was the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who visited Bokkos Local Government Area in December 2024 to assess the situation.
The group described the minister’s alleged absence as disappointing, arguing that he had not lived up to the expectations of someone occupying a critical national position.
They also questioned his commitment to duty, suggesting that the loss he suffered during the 2023 Plateau governorship election may have influenced his level of engagement.
Accusing him of allowing political sentiment to interfere with governance, the forum stated that public office holders are expected to prioritize service to the people above personal interests, particularly in times of humanitarian emergency.
Responding to these allegations in a phone interview on Monday, Prof. Yilwatda dismissed the forum’s claims as politically motivated and lacking in substance.
He insisted that he had visited several crisis-ridden areas, including Bokkos, on more than one occasion and had personally delivered relief materials such as rice, cement, roofing sheets, and other essential supplies.
The minister also mentioned his intervention in other troubled areas like Barkin Ladi and the Katako market, where he provided humanitarian assistance and support for reconstruction.
He stated that he had accompanied the Minister of Defence on some of these visits and could produce video evidence to support his claims.
“I don’t want to make noise about what I’ve done,” Yilwatda said. “Let the people in those communities speak. My contributions are visible, and I welcome any investigation.”
He further questioned the motives of the APC forum, asking what role the group had played in advancing the party’s interests in the North-Central region.
“This is the season of politics,” he added. “But let’s not be armchair critics.”
Yilwatda assumed the role of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction after Senator Simon Lalong vacated the position to take up his Senate seat following a Supreme Court ruling in his favour.