The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has lost his mother, Mama Lydia Yilwatda.

She passed away on Sunday morning at the Jos University Teaching Hospital at the age of 83.

The APC State Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Jos.

He described the late Mama Lydia as a devoted Christian, a virtuous woman, and a pillar of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN).

“The APC family in Plateau State received with shock the sad news of the passing of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of our National Chairman. According to family sources, she died this morning at the Jos University Teaching Hospital at the age of 83 years,” the statement read.

Bamaiyi noted that her death was not only a personal loss to Prof. Yilwatda, but also to the entire APC family in Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

He recalled that Mama Lydia, alongside her late husband, Rev. Toma Goshewe Yilwatda, made immense contributions to the growth of the church in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Plateau states.

“There is no doubt that Mama’s death is painful and devastating to the Yilwatda family, especially at a time when her motherly counsel and prayers were most needed by the National Chairman,” the statement added.

Bamaiyi further described her as leaving behind “an indelible legacy, reflected in her children,” noting that her demise is a great loss to the church, the women’s fellowship, and Plateau State.

The party extended its condolences to Prof. Yilwatda and prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.