The North-Central Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the party’s national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, of failing to demonstrate the leadership qualities expected of his office.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, expressed regret over advocating for the return of the APC national chairmanship to the North-Central region.
The group alleged that Yilwatda is actively preventing Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Zazzaga further accused Yilwatda of promoting a religious agenda and prioritising personal political interests in Plateau State. The statement followed a video circulating online in which Yilwatda, speaking at a church, claimed to represent Christians in the North-Central region — a remark the forum described as divisive and contrary to APC’s principles.
“We, the North-Central APC Forum, regret our agitation for the return of the position of APC national chairman to the North-Central region. We apologise to Mr President, former national chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, and other party leaders,” the statement read.
The forum’s disappointment stems from what it described as Yilwatda’s inability to unite the region or effectively manage party affairs. “He has shown that he is not competent enough to bring together the people of the North-Central,” the statement added.
The group also argued that Yilwatda lacks political exposure, noting that he has never been elected even as a delegate or councillor. It alleged that his leadership has deepened political divisions in Plateau State and across the region.
Calling on President Bola Tinubu to appoint a more capable national chairman at the APC’s planned December 2025 convention, the forum said the position need not remain in the North-Central region.
Nevertheless, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to delivering six million votes from the zone for President Tinubu in 2027, citing high-level appointments from the region — including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Attorney-General of the Federation — as adequate political representation.
The statement claimed that Yilwatda is frustrating efforts to bring Governor Mutfwang into the APC because the chairman, who lost the 2023 governorship election to Mutfwang, intends to contest again in 2027.
Describing Yilwatda as self-serving, the forum urged him to resign and focus on his governorship ambition. The group also accused him of attempting to invalidate the forum’s certificate of recognition issued in 2018.
“If he is a true leader, he should not block people from joining to strengthen the party,” the statement concluded.
