APC North-Central Forum Seeks Review of Yilwatda’s Chairmanship

The North‑Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called on the party’s regional leaders to meet with President Bola Tinubu to review the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as national chairman. The demand follows allegations that Yilwatda opposes Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC. According to the Forum, Yilwatda’s actions are driven by his personal ambition to contest the Plateau State governorship election in 2027.

The Forum asserts that Yilwatda, who lost the 2023 governorship race to Mutfwang, is sponsoring protests and a media campaign against the governor’s potential defection. Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga said Yilwatda’s performance as national chairman has been unsatisfactory and could jeopardise the region’s prospects for major appointments in the future.

Consequently, the Forum has urged Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and APC governors in the North‑Central region to coordinate with the Progressive Governors Forum and request a meeting with President Tinubu to reassess Yilwatda’s appointment. The Forum argues that Yilwatda’s actions violate the party’s constitution and place his personal interests above the party’s growth.

In a related development, the North‑Central APC Forum congratulated Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma on his appointment as Director‑General for Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilisation. The Forum views this appointment as evidence that Yilwatda is not effectively discharging his duties as national chairman and has urged Uzodinma to use his new role to push for a review of Yilwatda’s position.

The controversy has spilled over into the party’s women’s wing in Plateau State, which held a rally to reject Mutfwang’s potential defection. The North‑Central APC Forum warned that paying women to protest could exacerbate insecurity in the state by attracting criminal elements seeking large sums of money.

The Forum reiterated its call for Yilwatda to step down as national chairman and focus on his governorship bid, rather than leading the party into crisis.