𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep concern over the persistent killings and destruction in Plateau State, warning that the long-running cycle of violence must end.

President Tinubu’s message was delivered in Jos on Sunday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who represented him at a major All Progressives Congress reception rally held at the Jos Polo Field. The event was organised to welcome a significant wave of defectors from opposition parties into the APC.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, Akpabio said the President remained troubled by years of bloodshed in Plateau communities and was committed to restoring peace to the state. Quoting Tinubu, he said, “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.”

“I cry whenever anybody is killed in the Plateau. The state is looking for peace and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau State,” he added.

The rally, which drew thousands of party supporters, became one of the biggest political gatherings in the state in recent months, largely due to the calibre of defectors being received. Members of five political parties formally announced their departure for the APC, including chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, People’s Redemption Party, African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

Prominent defectors included 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 receiving the defectors, Akpabio said the massive turnout demonstrated that President 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.

He also praised Tinubu for appointing Prof Nentawe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman, describing him as a unifier whose leadership had strengthened the party in the state. “When you are escorted by a lion like President Tinubu you have nothing to fear,” he said.

In his remarks, Yilwatda said the day marked the full 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 stated, vowing to 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 of equal rights and privileges within the party. The rally was attended by several dignitaries, including 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.