Akpabio, Yilwatda Welcome Defectors to APC as Major Crossovers Reshape Plateau Political Landscape

The President of the Senate, Senator 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. The ceremony, held at the Jos Polo Field, was colourful and drew a massive crowd of party loyalists.

Leaders of the ruling APC gathered at the venue to welcome new members who crossed over 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 campaign during the 2023 elections; Dr. Patrick Dakum, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in 2023; and Alfred Dabwam, former NNPP governorship candidate.

Others included Hon. Fom Dalyop, representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency; Hon. Ajang Alfred Ilya of Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency; and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, representing Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, among several others.

Speaking at the rally on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Akpabio said the arrival of Prof. Nentawe as National Chairman had ushered in good fortune for the APC in Plateau State, judging by the calibre of individuals who joined the party in recent months.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Anietie Ekong, Senator Akpabio declared: “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 from the last election. We have also received the Director General of the PDP campaigns in the last election, as well as several serving and former members of the National Assembly and their supporters.

“Let me appreciate President Tinubu for finding a man of valour, integrity and dignity in Prof. Nentawe to be the National Chairman. You can see that he has delivered Plateau State to the APC before the elections. When you are escorted by a lion like President Tinubu, you have nothing to fear.”

Akpabio assured the people that President Tinubu was addressing their security concerns, commending the President’s steadfast commitment to restoring peace in Plateau State. He stressed that the years of killings and displacement must be brought to an 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 Plateau. The state seeks peace, and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau State.”

APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, described the day as the ultimate confirmation of the party’s 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 new members were presented with APC flags and the party symbol—the broom—by the National Chairman, who assured them of equal rights and privileges within the party.

The rally was attended by several top officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule; the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia; and the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Salifu Joel, among other dignitaries.