I’m learning politics from Tinubu, says APC national chairman

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, says President Bola Tinubu has become his political mentor, describing the president as one of Nigeria’s finest political strategists.

Yilwatda spoke on Saturday in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he was honoured with a traditional title during a community ceremony attended by party leaders, traditional rulers and residents.

According to him, his growing influence within the party is a result of close political guidance from the president, whom he said has continued to shape his understanding of leadership, negotiation and grassroots politics.

He noted that Tinubu’s political journey offers practical lessons for anyone seeking to build a lasting political structure in Nigeria, stressing that learning directly from such experience has strengthened his capacity as party chairman.

Traditional honour, donations and party politics

During the event, Yilwatda was conferred with the traditional title Kaeh-rit, meaning “the good seed of Ampang East,” in recognition of his contributions to community development and public service.

He announced a ₦10 million donation to farmers in Kanke LGA, alongside seedlings and other agricultural inputs, explaining that the support was aimed at improving food production and easing economic pressures on rural households.

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The APC chairman said the gesture aligned with the federal government’s broader push to strengthen agriculture as a tool for reducing poverty and stabilizing food prices across the country.

Yilwatda also reacted to recent political realignments in Plateau State, expressing confidence that closer cooperation between state and federal political structures would accelerate development.

He emphasised that the APC does not operate an “old members versus new members” culture, insisting that everyone who joins the party enjoys equal rights and opportunities regardless of when they came in.

According to him, political unity would help align national, state and local government systems in a way that directly benefits communities at the grassroots.

This is the second traditional title bestowed on Yilwatda within two weeks. Earlier, leaders of the Tiv Nation in Benue State also honoured him for his humanitarian and political contributions.