By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC Forum has withdrawn its earlier ultimatum demanding the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, declaring that it has no intention of triggering crisis within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a dramatic reversal, the Forum admitted that its earlier position was based on misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding issues linked to the conduct of the APC primaries.

The Forum had previously threatened court action against Yilwatda if he failed to resign within two weeks over alleged irregularities in the primaries.

However, in a fresh statement issued late Friday and signed by its National Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the group formally withdrew the ultimatum and tendered what it described as “unreserved apologies” to Yilwatda and the leadership of the party.

According to the statement, the Forum remains committed to the unity, peace and stability of the APC and would never be part of any attempt to destabilize the party.

“The North-Central APC Forum, as a body of well-meaning stakeholders of our great party in the North-Central zone, has always been committed to the development and progress of the party,” the statement read.

“Our call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was based on misinformation and a misunderstanding of the true situation.

“Having become aware of the true facts, we hereby withdraw the ultimatum and extend unreserved apologies to the national chairman and other leaders of the APC, “it added.

The Forum further hinted that external forces opposed to the ruling party may have influenced its earlier stance.

“The North-Central APC Forum has no intention of instigating a crisis or being an agent for the destabilization of the APC,” the statement added.

“We were not well informed in our previous pronouncements on issues concerning the APC primaries. We have no choice than to withdraw the ultimatum and apologize for the tensions raised by our previous position, now that we are privy to the true state of affairs.”

The group called on party members across the country to rally behind the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee (NWC) in order to strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reaffirming its loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Forum also renewed its pledge to mobilize and deliver six million votes for the President from the North-Central zone in the next presidential election.