APC Chair, Yilwatda Warns Against Political Distractions, Backs Tinubu’s Northern Economic Agenda

Oru Leonard 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned against actions that could derail ongoing efforts to reposition Northern Nigeria as a major economic hub, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to transformative development across the region.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing deliberate and strategic investments aimed at turning the North into a strong economic bloc with influence across West and Central Africa.

He noted that the scale and coordination of federal interventions reflect a clear vision to reposition the region as a centre for productivity, trade, education, and infrastructure-led growth.

According to him, Northern Nigeria’s geographic advantage places it in a strategic position to serve as a gateway to neighbouring countries, including Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, thereby enhancing cross-border commerce and regional integration.

Yilwatda said ongoing investments in roads, rail, agriculture, energy, and education are designed to stimulate economic activity, reduce logistics costs, and position the region as a commercial nerve centre within the sub-region.
“The vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Northern Nigeria goes beyond politics; it is a well-thought-out economic and developmental strategy aimed at unlocking the vast potential of the region,” he said, expressing confidence that the North would emerge as a major economic powerhouse within the lifetime of the current administration.

The APC chairman highlighted key projects driving the agenda, including the expansion and rehabilitation of major road networks linking Northern states to commercial hubs, as well as rail modernisation projects connecting inland cities to ports and southern markets.

He also pointed to investments in power infrastructure to support industrial clusters and rural communities, alongside agricultural initiatives such as irrigation development, mechanisation, and agro-processing zones aimed at boosting food security and export capacity.

Yilwatda described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a landmark intervention that would expand access to tertiary education, particularly for youths in the North.
“Education is the backbone of sustainable development. With this initiative, no qualified student will be denied higher education due to lack of funds,” he stated.

On agriculture, the APC chairman said renewed federal focus, combined with improved security measures, is restoring confidence among farmers and enhancing productivity.

He listed key priorities to include large-scale farming, livestock development through modern ranching systems, improved access to finance for agribusinesses, and the revitalisation of dams and irrigation infrastructure.

According to him, these efforts will not only ensure national food security but also position Northern Nigeria as a major exporter of agricultural products within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Call for Unity, Warning to Political Actors
Yilwatda called on stakeholders—traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, and the business community—to support the administration’s development agenda, warning that personal political ambitions must not undermine collective progress.
“This is a defining moment for the North and for Nigeria. We must not allow narrow personal interests to truncate a historic opportunity for regional transformation,” he said.

He also criticised opposition parties, questioning their cohesion and capacity to govern, while describing President Tinubu as a resilient democrat with a long-standing commitment to national development dating back to the struggle against military rule.

Reiterating the ruling party’s commitment, Yilwatda assured that the APC would continue to pursue policies aimed at delivering tangible improvements in the region.
“The North is on the path to renewal. With sustained support, visionary leadership, and collective responsibility, we will build a region that stands tall, not just within Nigeria, but across Africa,” he added.