Thousands of youths in Plateau State erupted in celebration on July 24, 2025, following the appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), viewing it as a historic milestone for their region.
The festivities, centered in Jos, featured vibrant rallies, traditional dances, and speeches, with participants waving APC flags and chanting slogans of unity. Local leaders, including youth coordinator Musa Ibrahim, hailed Yilwatda—a former gubernatorial candidate and Plateau native—as a symbol of northern representation, marking the end of Abdullahi Ganduje’s tenure amid internal party tensions.
The celebration reflects Yilwatda’s strong showing in the 2023 governorship election, where he garnered 481,865 votes against Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s 525,299, showcasing his grassroots support despite the loss. Youths see his rise as an opportunity to address pressing issues like insecurity, which has displaced 200,000 people in Plateau since 2018, and economic underdevelopment.
However, some community elders caution that the appointment could deepen ethnic divisions within the APC, particularly between the dominant Berom and other groups, given Yilwatda’s Berom heritage. The narrative of regional pride is palpable, but its political longevity will depend on Yilwatda’s ability to unify diverse factions and deliver on local expectations.