The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Rufus Bature-led executive committee of the party in Plateau State, demanding the establishment of a reconciliation committee and the opening of party doors to new members from other political parties.

The ultimatum comes after the Plateau APC executive committee opposed the Forum's decision to adopt the Green Cap Movement, associated with current Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.

According to Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, the decision to adopt the Green Cap Movement was made during an expanded stakeholders meeting on Thursday night, where the Forum also reaffirmed its endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

"We have decided to adopt the Green Cap Movement in Plateau because we believe that the time is now. Though Mutfwang is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we believe that he is doing well and we must support him to excel," Zazzaga stated on Friday in Jos.

The Bature-led state working committee promptly condemned this adoption through a statement issued by Shittu Bamaiyi, Acting Publicity Secretary of the APC in Plateau State, warning of "stringent measures" against those who endorsed the Green Cap Movement.

In response, the North-Central APC Forum accused the Bature-led exco of serving the interests of only a few individuals rather than the broader party membership. The Forum demanded that the executive committee set up a reconciliation team to address grievances among party members, particularly elders and stakeholders who reportedly feel sidelined.

"We are giving the Rufus Bature-led exco seven days to set up a committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party, particularly elders and others who are not being carried along. Also, they should allow members of other political parties who are interested to come to the APC to join," the Forum stated.

The Forum further demanded the withdrawal of the statement issued by the Plateau APC exco regarding the Green Cap Movement adoption, threatening to mobilize for sanctions against the Bature-led executive if their ultimatum is ignored.

Countering claims that the Forum is not officially recognized, Zazzaga clarified that the North-Central APC Forum is a registered and officially recognized group within the party at the national level, comprising stakeholders from the North-Central region.

The Forum also criticized the Plateau APC executives for their performance during the 2023 elections, claiming they failed to deliver electoral victory for President Tinubu in their areas.

"We will not join issues with people who could not even deliver their polling units and wards for the party and Mr. President during the 2023 election. Some of them did not even support the party's presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We know for certain that they supported Peter Obi," the statement alleged.

The Forum emphasized that the Green Cap Movement represents "a mindset, not a party; a people, not a platform" and rejected attempts to portray it as a PDP emblem. They maintained that their efforts to woo Governor Mutfwang to join the APC are in the best interest of Plateau State.

"It is on the record that we are asking Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC. We are still urging the governor to join our great party and align with President Bola Tinubu, which we believe is in the best interest of Plateau State," the statement concluded.

The Forum vowed that no amount of intimidation or blackmail would deter it from advancing the interests of the APC in the North-Central region and working for the progress and development of the area.