APC Forum demands Yilwatda resignation over primaries
North-Central APC Forum issues two-week ultimatum to National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda to resign over alleged monetization of party primaries and result manipulation. The Forum specifically blames the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee, NWC, for "incompetence, violation of party's constitution, monetization of primaries and changing results when it favoured those perceived as not in his camp." Ultimatum expires June 12, 2026 (Democracy Day), with threat of court action if he refuses to resign.
The Forum claims evidence of manipulation: Party has eight million registered voters but presidential primary results showed over 10 million votes for President Tinubu. "This means what they did was selection of candidates, not election," the statement argues. Several key members have resigned to join other parties, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege to NDC and Mustapha Bala Dawaki (Yilwatda's former Chief of Staff) also to NDC.
The Forum warns the chairman "does not have experience to settle grievances from primary elections" and points to "lack of necessary political experience" in officials sent to conduct state primaries. With key figures leaving APC over perceived injustice, party faces internal crisis while preparing for 2027 elections.