APC Chairman Ultimatum issued by North-Central forum as Prof Nentawe Yilwatda faces resignation demand over alleged monetised primaries
The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum, in Abuja issued a two-week ultimatum to the party’s National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, demanding his resignation over allegations of monetisation and irregularities in the recently concluded party primaries.
Also read: North-Central APC Forum Rejects Second-Term Primaries
The group accused the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee, NWC, of overseeing what it described as a compromised selection process for State Assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential primaries across the country.
According to the forum, the outcome of several primaries was allegedly manipulated to favour preferred candidates, while in some cases, aspirants who were widely expected to win were reportedly screened out.
Chairman of APC Ultimatum was contained in a statement signed by the forum’s National Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, who described the exercise as heavily commercialised and inconsistent with party guidelines.
The forum further alleged that dissatisfaction within the party had reached significant levels, claiming that more than half of APC members were unhappy with the conduct of the primaries.
It warned that failure by Prof Yilwatda to resign within two weeks could lead to legal action, with proceedings expected to commence on or before 12 June, when Democracy Day will be marked in Nigeria.
In its statement, the group accused the national leadership of altering results in some instances, alleging that party officials used their positions to influence outcomes in favour of selected aspirants.
The forum also questioned inconsistencies in the presidential primary figures, citing a discrepancy between the reported total votes and the party’s claimed registered membership figures.
Former Senate President Pius Anyim, who chaired the APC presidential primary committee, had announced President Bola Tinubu as winner with 10,999,162 votes, ahead of challenger Stanley Osifo, who polled 16,503 votes.
The forum argued that the figures raised concerns about credibility, claiming that official party data did not align with the reported results, and alleging that the process resembled selection rather than election.
It further stated that internal grievances had contributed to defections within the party, citing the resignation of several members, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and former Chief of Staff Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who both joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
The group insisted that the national chairman lacked the experience to manage emerging disputes within the party and called for immediate accountability from the leadership.
Also read: APC Forum Welcomes Mutfwang, Urges Unity and Loyalty
APC Chairman Ultimatum has intensified internal tensions within the ruling party, raising fresh questions over cohesion and stability ahead of future electoral contests.
