APC Forum Blames Minister for Party’s Defeat in Plateau State
In a startling turn of events, the North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has directly blamed Minister! of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for the party’s defeat in the 2023 election in Plateau State. This accusation comes as a reaction to comments made by Yilwatda on Arise TV, where he dismissed the Forum as an unrecognized entity and questioned its membership.
At the heart of the issue lies the Forum’s criticism of Yilwatda’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Plateau State, exacerbated by herdsmen attacks that have displaced hundreds of people. The Forum accused Yilwatda of failing to visit affected communities and provide necessary assistance, despite being from the state himself. Yilwatda, in turn, alleged that the Forum was attacking him, similar to how they treated other party leaders like National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.
The North-Central APC Forum, however, insists that their statements were advisory, aiming to address the humanitarian challenges in the region. They argue that Yilwatda’s refusal to heed their advice significantly contributed to the APC’s loss in Plateau State. Notably, Yilwatda was the APC’s governorship candidate but lost to Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the APC also lost the presidential election in the state to Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
A critical factor pinpointed by the Forum was Yilwatda’s instructions to his associates to vote for the Labour Party in the presidential election, allegedly to capitalize on the Peter Obi movement. This decision, the Forum claims, divided the attention of Yilwatda’s loyalists, ultimately leading to the APC’s defeat in both the governorship and presidential elections.
The Forum further emphasized that Yilwatda’s emergence as the APC candidate did not reflect the wishes of most party members, attributing his candidacy to the preference of certain party leaders in the state. They noted that Yilwatda lacked wide acceptance among the people, which contributed to the election outcome.
In response to Yilwatda’s claims that the Forum is an unrecognized entity, the group highlighted its structure across the region, comprising former senators, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, professors, and other notable figures. The Forum was registered in 2018 and possesses a certificate as a support group, contradicting Yilwatda’s assertions.
Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, addressed Yilwatda’s questioning of his commitment to the APC, stating that he has served the party in various capacities, including as a member of the Presidential Campaign Council and the governorship campaign council in Ondo State. Zazzaga emphasized that there is no basis for Yilwatda’s doubts about his membership, given his active participation in party activities.
In a gesture of reconciliation, the North-Central APC Forum withdrew its ultimatum to the Rufus Bature-led executive committee of the party in Plateau State, which had been given seven days to establish a reconciliation committee and allow members from other parties to join the APC. The Forum apologized for any misinformation that may have led to the ultimatum.
Despite this, the Forum remains resolute in its push for Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC, citing his experience and acceptability in Plateau State’s political landscape as key reasons. This move suggests that the North-Central APC Forum is looking towards strategizing for future elections, aiming to bolster the party’s presence in the region.
The spat between the North-Central APC Forum and Minister Yilwatda underscores the deep-seated issues within the party, particularly in managing internal conflicts and addressing the needs of its constituents. As Nigerian politics continues to evolve, how the APC navigates these challenges will be crucial to its success in upcoming elections.
