Fatimah Otunsanya
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday lamented the persistent killings and widespread destruction in Plateau State, warning that the cycle of violence had gone on for too long.
Tinubu’s message was delivered in Jos by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who represented him at a massive All Progressives Congress reception rally held at the Jos Polo Field. The event was organised to receive a large wave of defectors from opposition parties into the APC.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, Akpabio said the President was deeply troubled by the years of bloodshed in Plateau communities and is determined to restore peace and stability to the state.
“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,” Akpabio said, quoting the President.
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 rally—which drew thousands of APC supporters and sympathisers—also became one of the largest political gatherings in the state in recent months, owing largely to the calibre of defectors being received into the ruling party.
Members of five political parties formally abandoned their platforms for the APC. They include chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, People’s Redemption Party, African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Some of the high-profile defectors were former Senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang; former PDP campaign director-general, Latep Dabang; Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr Patrick Dakum; former NNPP governorship candidate, Alfred Dabwam; and three serving members of the House of Representatives.
Speaking after admitting the defectors, Akpabio said the overwhelming support witnessed at the rally had strengthened his confidence that Tinubu would win Plateau State in the next general election.
“My ears have heard and my eyes have seen that from today the entire Plateau is APC. Come 2027, Plateau shall deliver the APC,” he declared.
Akpabio also praised President Tinubu for appointing Prof Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman, describing him as a unifying figure whose influence had transformed the party’s strength in the state.
“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 added.
In his remarks, Yilwatda said the day marked the final consolidation of APC’s dominance in Plateau politics.
“Today on the Plateau, there is only one political party. If you are not in APC, you are not in politics,” he said, vowing that the state would deliver all federal and state seats to the APC in 2027.
The defectors were later handed party flags and the symbolic broom, with Yilwatda assuring them that they would enjoy equal rights and privileges in the APC.
Several dignitaries graced the rally, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule; Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia; and Kogi Deputy Governor Salifu Joel.