By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called for high-level intervention in the party’s leadership, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the APC National Chairman.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Forum appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and APC governors in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger states to work with the Progressive Governors Forum to engage the President on the matter.

The call comes amid growing internal tensions within the party, particularly concerns surrounding the possible defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The North-Central Forum has been vocal in encouraging Muftwang’s entry into the APC but has met pushback from some Plateau APC leaders who recently convened meetings opposing such a move.

On Tuesday, the APC women’s wing in Plateau also staged a protest in Jos rejecting the governor’s rumored defection.

The Forum alleges that Yilwatda, who hails from Plateau State and was the APC governorship candidate defeated by Muftwang in 2023, is covertly working to block the governor’s entry into the party. They claim he is “sponsoring protests and media campaigns” due to his own interest in contesting again in 2027.

Forum Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, described Yilwatda’s alleged actions as “undemocratic and contrary to the spirit of the APC constitution,” insisting that the national chairman has no power to prevent any individual from defecting. He noted that only Muftwang’s ward-level party structure in Mangu has the authority to admit him.

The Forum expressed concern that Yilwatda’s leadership could jeopardize the North-Central region’s standing within the party and its ability to secure key appointments.

“We are calling on party leaders in the zone to urgently meet with the President to review Professor Yilwatda’s appointment in light of his unsatisfactory performance,” the statement read. “We cannot afford to have the North-Central judged by his actions or risk being sidelined because of his leadership deficiencies.”

The Forum further accused the chairman of placing personal ambition above party unity. “As national chairman, he should not allow self-interest to override collective interest. But because of his 2027 ambition, he is shutting out people who could strengthen the party,” it said.

The statement also argued that Yilwatda had never held any formal party position prior to becoming chairman, adding that “the office he occupies is bigger than him.”

The Forum reiterated its call for him to step aside and pursue his gubernatorial ambitions separately, rather than “steering the party into avoidable crises.”

In a separate development, the Forum congratulated Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, on his appointment as Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation under the Tinubu administration, describing it as recognition of his tested capacity and a subtle indication of leadership gaps at the national chairman’s level.

The Forum also condemned reports that some Plateau women were allegedly paid “peanuts” to protest Muftwang’s rumored defection, warning that such mobilization could expose participants to security risks.

“This must be condemned by all reasonable individuals,” it stated.