Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda is yet to relinquish his post as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, even after assuming office as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Yilwatda, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) with INEC and Minister was appointed APC chairman on July 24, 2025, succeeding Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned due to health reasons.
Typically, ministers who take on partisan leadership roles resign from their cabinet positions.
However, Yilwatda has retained both offices, raising concerns among party insiders and legal experts.
Party sources revealed that while several stakeholders are pushing for a replacement at the ministry, Yilwatda appears determined to combine both responsibilities.
President Bola Tinubu has also not named a successor for the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.
Legal experts warned that holding dual roles may contravene the principle of separation between party administration and public office.
“APC is playing a dangerous game,” Daily Independent quoted a political scientist at the University of Abuja. “Leaving this unresolved could expose the party to fresh legal battles that may jeopardise its standing in court when electoral outcomes are challenged.”
“Sections 147 and 192 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) require ministers to serve the federation, not partisan interests, while Section 1 of the APC constitution prohibits officeholders from occupying overlapping executive roles that could create conflicts of interest.”
The situation, however, echoes previous controversy.
In 2020, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State served as APC Caretaker Committee Chairman while still holding office as governor.
Neither the presidency nor the APC leadership has publicly addressed Yilwatda’s ministerial status.