North-Central APC Forum apologises for pushing for chairmanship return to zone

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued an unreserved apology to party leaders for championing the campaign that returned the APC national chairmanship to the zone, saying its preferred candidate, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has not met the expectations that informed their advocacy.

The Forum — a coalition of APC stakeholders from across the North-Central — had, over an 18-month period, organised protests, press conferences, rallies and submitted petitions demanding that the national chairmanship, originally zoned to the region at the 2022 national convention, be restored after the resignation of Senator Abdullahi Adamu in 2023.

Their agitation culminated in the appointment of Yilwatda, a Plateau State politician, on July 24, 2025.

However, the Forum now says it regrets the campaign.

In a statement released Sunday in Abuja, Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said Yilwatda has not demonstrated the unifying leadership qualities expected of a national chairman.

The apology followed the circulation of a video in which Yilwatda, speaking in a church setting, reportedly described himself as representing “North-Central Christians.” The Forum criticised the remark as inconsistent with the inclusive principles of the APC.

“We, the North-Central APC Forum, regret our agitation for the return of the position of APC national chairman to the North-Central region,” the statement read.

“We apologise to Mr President, to former national chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and to other party leaders who were affected by our actions during the agitation.”

The Forum said it invested significant time and resources, including a year in court and 18 months of advocacy, only to conclude that the candidate it supported has not met expectations.

According to the group, Yilwatda’s remarks in the video reflect a sectional posture that does not align with the diverse character of the North-Central zone.

The Forum also expressed concern that Yilwatda may be prioritising political interests in Plateau State — particularly a potential 2027 governorship bid — over broader party unity.

It further noted that Yilwatda has not previously held elected office and questioned his experience in managing complex political structures.

The Forum also accused him of attempting to undermine its long-standing status as a recognised party support group, certified since 2018.

Given the concerns raised, the Forum urged Yilwatda to step aside as national chairman and focus on his political aspirations, while calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that a more experienced and unifying figure emerges at the APC’s next national convention scheduled for December 2025.

“We no longer insist that the position must remain in the North-Central. What the party needs now is competence to ensure victory in 2027,” the statement said.

The group stressed that the North-Central zone remains fully committed to delivering strong electoral support for the APC in 2027, noting that its influence in the federal government — including producing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and leading the North-Central Development Commission — already reflects substantial political relevance.

“We have already promised Mr President six million votes in 2027, and we will fulfil that promise. We don’t need the national chairmanship to deliver,” the Forum added.

The post North-Central APC Forum apologises for pushing for chairmanship return to zone appeared first on Vanguard News.