The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has accused Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, of being responsible for the party's defeat in Plateau State during the 2023 elections.

The accusation comes in response to comments made by Yilwatda during an Arise TV interview on Friday, where he dismissed the Forum as an unrecognized entity after they criticized his handling of humanitarian crises in Plateau State.

The Forum had earlier faulted the minister's response to the displacement of hundreds of people in Plateau State following herdsmen attacks, claiming his impact was not being felt in the crisis and accusing him of failing to visit affected communities.

In a statement released on Saturday signed by its chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum clarified that their earlier comments were advisory rather than an attack. "Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda said we attacked him. That is absolutely not true. As committed stakeholders of the APC in the North-Central, we advised him to put in more effort at addressing humanitarian challenges in the region," the statement read.

The Forum specifically pointed to Yilwatda's campaign tactics as a key factor in the APC's electoral loss. "One of the reasons APC lost both presidential and governorship election in Plateau was because he instructed his associates to vote for Labour Party in the presidential election. He wanted to take advantage of the Peter Obi movement," the statement alleged.

They further claimed that Peter Obi of the Labour Party won in polling units associated with Yilwatda's major associates and aides, suggesting a deliberate strategy that ultimately backfired for the APC.

The Forum also disputed Yilwatda's claim that they were not a recognized entity within the APC, stating they have been registered since 2018 during Senator Adams Oshiomhole's leadership and possess certification as an official support group.

Responding to allegations that they had attacked other party leaders, the Forum clarified their positions regarding APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, stating they now work collaboratively with both leaders.

Zazzaga also refuted Yilwatda's questioning of his APC membership, noting that he had served on multiple committees within Yilwatda's own governorship campaign and was a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 election.

In a conciliatory move, the Forum withdrew an ultimatum it had previously issued to the Rufus Bature-led executive committee of the APC in Plateau State, apologizing for "misinformation and miscommunication" that led to the ultimatum.

However, the Forum maintained it would continue pushing for Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC, citing his "experience and acceptability in the political space of Plateau State."