APC Chairman Yilwatda Defends Tinubu’s Northern Development Agenda, Warns Against Political Disruption

By Aviashima Toom 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making deliberate investments aimed at transforming Northern Nigeria into a major economic hub in Africa.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said the scale and coordination of ongoing federal projects reflect a clear commitment to repositioning the region for productivity, trade, and infrastructure-driven growth.

He noted that Northern Nigeria’s geographic location gives it a strategic advantage as a gateway to neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin, adding that current investments are expected to strengthen cross-border trade and regional integration.

Yilwatda highlighted key infrastructure initiatives, including the rehabilitation and expansion of major road networks linking Northern states to commercial centres, as well as ongoing rail modernisation projects designed to connect the region to ports and southern markets. He said these efforts would reduce transportation costs and improve trade competitiveness.

The APC chairman also pointed to investments in energy infrastructure to support industrial growth, alongside agricultural programmes focused on irrigation, mechanisation, and agro-processing. According to him, these initiatives form part of a broader national strategy to integrate the North into global value chains and maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

On education, Yilwatda described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major intervention that would expand access to tertiary education for young people in the region. He said the scheme is designed to eliminate financial barriers and produce a more skilled workforce.

He further noted that improvements in security, combined with increased support for farmers, are helping to restore confidence in rural communities and boost agricultural productivity.

 Programmes targeting food security, livestock development, and access to financing, he added, are central to the administration’s economic revitalisation efforts.

Yilwatda called on stakeholders across the North—including traditional rulers, political leaders, and business groups—to support the government’s agenda. He warned that political interests driven by personal ambition could undermine the progress being made.

He also praised Tinubu’s democratic credentials, describing him as a consistent advocate for democratic governance since the era of military rule.

At the same time, the APC chairman criticised opposition parties, questioning their cohesion and capacity to govern. He argued that internal instability within opposition ranks raises concerns about their readiness to manage national affairs.

Yilwatda maintained that the administration’s development agenda for Northern Nigeria is both genuine and unprecedented, expressing confidence that sustained implementation would deliver long-term economic growth and regional transformation.