Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday declared Plateau State a one-party territory, insisting that the opposition had lost its structure and influence following a major defection of prominent politicians from Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, and Peoples Redemption Party.
The announcement came at a reception ceremony at the Polo Field in Jos, which drew thousands of supporters to witness the return of former governorship candidates, lawmakers, and party executives.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio told the crowd that the scale of defections confirmed the predictions he made during his previous visit to the state.
According to him, “What I have seen here today is not small. The last time I came to Plateau, it was for a burial, and I said the next time I return, it will be for a celebration. Today, my eyes have seen it and my ears have heard it. Come 2027, the entire Plateau State shall become APC.
‘When Patrick Dakum greeted me, he whispered, ‘Labour Party is dead on the Plateau.’ And when I look around, I know he was not joking. We have received political mammoths, political bulldozers, and political generals. These are political tigers who have returned home. That is why I said APC is the only party on the Plateau.”
Akpabio also addressed insecurity in the state, expressing concern over deaths and displacement. “Too many lives have been lost. Children have been murdered, families displaced, and people are now refugees in their own communities. This must stop. Anyone who wants to govern Plateau must be committed to peace. The President of Nigeria is not happy about the killings, and we will do everything possible to restore peace.”
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the defection as a “new political reality,” emphasizing that the opposition had lost its structure and appeal.
“We are here to receive people who have moved from the Labour Party to the APC — National Assembly members, House of Assembly members, and leaders. We are also receiving PDP members from every corner — former National Assembly members, former House of Assembly members, and former governorship candidates. The leadership of ADC and PRP has also joined us. Today, on the Plateau, there is only one political party. If you are not in APC, you are not in politics,” he said.
Also speaking, Former Governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Bako Lalong, told the gathering that the turnout of defectors validated APC’s dominance despite previous setbacks.
“If you see this massive crowd, it is because some people attempted to bury the APC on the Plateau. They removed over 4,200 youths who I employed. All the permanent secretaries who supported APC were removed. Local government chairmen were removed. My House of Assembly members who won under APC stood for one and a half years without being sworn in.
“But in spite of all that, APC is not buried. It is the other party that is buried. Forever. Forever. Forever. The only President we have for the next election is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If they like, let them go and resurrect that party — it will not come back again.” He assured.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former APC State Chairman and 2023 Director-General of the Mutfwang Campaign, Hon. Latep Dabang, said their move reflected confidence in the national leadership.
“We left the PDP because of deceit, oppression and failure to perform. What you are seeing here today is not sentiment. It is performance. It is conviction. And it is proof that the future of Plateau lies in the APC.”
The Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum and Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, noted that Plateau remained strong for APC despite not currently producing a governor.
Among the prominent defectors were Dr. Patrick Dakum of the Labour Party, retired military officer Gen. John Sura, Asama Daniel, and three serving members of the House of Representatives. Party leaders said Saturday’s realignment marked the consolidation of a unified political base ahead of the 2027 elections.
