APC Forum Regrets Pushing for North-Central Chairman

The North‑Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has expressed regret over its earlier push for a national chairman from the North‑Central region. The forum’s chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said that the current chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has failed to demonstrate the capacity to lead the party. Yilwatda, who was appointed in July 2025, has been accused of promoting a religious agenda and using his office to advance personal interests in Plateau State.

The North‑Central APC Forum had previously campaigned for the return of the national chairmanship to the region after former chairman Adamu Abdullahi resigned in 2023. The position was initially zoned to the North‑Central at the party’s convention in 2022. However, the forum now apologizes for its actions, stating that Yilwatda’s performance has been disappointing. It cited a video clip in which Yilwatda claimed to represent North‑Central Christians, a stance the forum deemed contrary to party and national principles. The forum also criticized Yilwatda’s lack of political experience, noting that he has never been elected to any position.

The forum urged President Tinubu to appoint a more competent person as national chairman in December 2025, regardless of zone. It assured that its apology would not affect its commitment to delivering six million votes to President Tinubu in 2027. The region, it noted, already holds key positions such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Attorney‑General of the Federation, which can sustain the party’s presence.

Additionally, the forum accused Yilwatda of opposing Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s potential defection to the APC because of his own gubernatorial ambitions for 2027. It called on Yilwatda to resign as national chairman and focus on his election bid, alleging that he was using his position to discredit the forum’s certificate as a party support group, which has existed since 2018.

These developments highlight ongoing power dynamics within the APC, with the North‑Central region playing a crucial role in the party’s national politics. As the party prepares for its national convention in December, the forum’s apology and criticisms of Yilwatda’s leadership may have significant implications for the party’s future direction.