By Israel Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called on key party leaders in the region to engage with President Bola Tinubu and review the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the APC National Chairman. The Forum made the appeal on Wednesday, citing concerns over his performance and its potential impact on the zone’s political prospects.In a statement issued by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, along with APC governors in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger states, to meet with the Progressive Governors Forum and subsequently with President Tinubu. The group maintains that a review of Yilwatda’s appointment is essential for strengthening the party’s leadership structure in the North-Central region.The call marks the latest development in ongoing tensions between the Forum and some APC stakeholders in Plateau State regarding Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s rumored defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. While the Forum has openly encouraged Mutfwang to join the party, Plateau APC executives and several women’s groups have staged rallies rejecting the governor’s possible entry.The Forum alleged that Yilwatda, who hails from Plateau State and was the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, is sponsoring protests and media campaigns to block Mutfwang’s defection due to his own interest in contesting the 2027 governorship election. According to the group, such actions undermine party unity and contradict the responsibilities of a national chairman.“
We are calling on the SGF, the Progressive Governors Forum, and APC governors in the North-Central to urgently meet Mr. President to review Professor Yilwatda’s appointment due to his unsatisfactory performance,” the statement said. “We cannot allow the region to suffer future setbacks based on the performance of one individual.”The Forum criticized the national chairman for allegedly diverting his attention from party-building efforts to political battles within Plateau State. It argued that Yilwatda’s alleged opposition to Mutfwang’s entry into the party contradicts the APC constitution, which places membership decisions at the ward level.“It is not within the national chairman’s powers to prevent Governor Mutfwang from joining the APC. Instead of providing the leadership needed to strengthen the party, he is sponsoring protests to stop a development that could secure Plateau State for the APC,” the Forum added.Calling his conduct “partisan” and “self-serving,” the group said Yilwatda lacks the experience required to lead a ruling party at the national level. It urged the APC leadership to immediately reassess his position and appoint a more capable individual if necessary.
The Forum also reiterated its earlier demand that Yilwatda step aside and focus on his 2027 governorship ambition rather than “leading the party into crisis.”In a separate development, the Forum congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, on his appointment as Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation. It said Uzodinma’s new role further underscores the need for effective leadership within the APC’s national structure.The Forum encouraged Uzodinma to use his new responsibilities to support the call for a review of the national chairman’s appointment. It also warned against the alleged payment of small sums to women in Plateau State to protest against Mutfwang’s defection, cautioning that such actions could expose them to security risks.“Activities like these may endanger the women and their families by making them targets of criminal elements who believe they received large sums of money,” the Forum warned.
