Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on Saturday received a wave of defectors from various political parties into the APC in Plateau State at a colourful ceremony that drew a massive crowd of supporters.
The event, held at the Jos Polo Field, brought together APC leaders and supporters to welcome new members from five political parties — the PDP, Labour Party, PRP, ADC, and NNPP.
Prominent among the defectors were Senator Istifanus Gyang, who represented Plateau North in the Ninth Assembly; Latep Dabang, former Director-General of the PDP’s 2023 campaign; Dr. Patrick Dakum, Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate; and Alfred Dabwam, former NNPP governorship candidate.
Also joining the APC were lawmakers Hon. Fom Dalyop (Riyom/Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency), Hon. Ajang Alfred Ilya (Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency), and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago (Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency), among others.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the rally, Senator Akpabio said the arrival of Prof. Nentawe as APC National Chairman had ushered in renewed strength for the party in Plateau, evident in the high-profile defections recorded in recent months.
A statement by the Senate President’s Special Assistant on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, quoted Akpabio as saying, “My ears have heard and my eyes have seen that from today, the entire Plateau is APC. Come 2027, Plateau shall deliver the APC.”
“Today we have received political caterpillars, including several governorship candidates in the last election.
“We have also received the Director General of PDP campaigns in the last election, several serving and former members of the National Assembly, and their supporters.
“Let me appreciate President Tinubu for finding a man of valour, a man of integrity, and a man of dignity, Prof Nentawe, to become the National Chairman.
“You can see that he has delivered Plateau State to APC before the elections. When you are escorted by a lion like President Tinubu, you have nothing to fear,” he said.
Akpabio assured the people that their concerns regarding their security were being addressed by President Tinubu.
He praised the President for his unflinching commitment to peace in Plateau State, noting that the killings and displacements that ravaged communities for years must end.
“Too many lives have been lost. Too many homes destroyed. Plateau deserves peace, and anyone who wants to govern this state must be committed to peace,” he said.
“I cry whenever anybody is killed in the Plateau. The State is looking for peace, and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau State.”
The APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, said the day marked the final consolidation of APC dominance.
“Today on the Plateau, there is only one political party. If you are not in APC, you are not in politics.
“With this structure, with this firepower, Plateau will deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
“All three Senate seats will be APC. All federal and state positions will be APC. The people have spoken, APC or nothing,” he said.
The defectors were presented with the party flags and symbols of the broom by the APC National Chairman, and assured them of equal rights and privileges as other members of the party.
The reception rally was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, his Benue State counterpart, Hyacinth Alia, and the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Salifu Joel, among others.