Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that President Bola Tinubu is deeply committed to ending the persistent violence in Plateau State, assuring residents that the federal government is prioritizing their security concerns.
Speaking on Saturday at the Jos Polo Field during a grand rally organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to receive political defectors, Akpabio expressed personal anguish over the killings that have plagued the north-central state.
“I cry whenever anybody is killed on the Plateau. This state is yearning for peace, and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau State,” Akpabio stated, according to a statement released by his media aide, Anietie Ekong.
The Senate President emphasized that the scale of violence, displacement, and property destruction in the state cannot be ignored, insisting that anyone aspiring to lead Plateau must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to peace.
“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 declared.
The event witnessed a significant political realignment as several prominent opposition figures formally joined the ruling APC. Notable defectors include Senator Istifanus Gyang, who represented Plateau North in the Ninth National Assembly; Latep Dabang, former Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the 2023 elections; Dr. Patrick Dakum, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate; and Alfred Dabwam, former governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Three serving members of the House of Representatives also crossed over to the APC: Hon. Fom Dalyop representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency, Hon. Ajang Alfred Ilya representing Jos South/Jos East, and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago representing Bassa/Jos North.
Akpabio described the wave of defections as evidence of the APC’s growing dominance in the state under the leadership of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s National Chairman. He praised President Tinubu for appointing Yilwatda, calling him “a man of valour, integrity and dignity” whose emergence has transformed Plateau’s political landscape.
“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,” the Senate President remarked.
The rally was attended by key APC leaders including Simon Lalong, Senator and former Governor of Plateau State; Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State; and Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State.
Professor Yilwatda, addressing the gathering, declared that the APC had achieved total dominance in Plateau, stating: “Today on the Plateau, there is only one political party. If you are not in APC, you are not in politics.”
He expressed confidence that the party would deliver the state to President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, projecting victories across all senatorial and federal positions.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Latep Dabang, a former Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, cited dissatisfaction with the current state leadership as the primary reason for their departure from opposition parties.
Plateau State has experienced severe security challenges in recent years, with violent attacks particularly affecting communities in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements.
The federal government has intensified efforts to address the crisis, with President Tinubu recently deploying Dr. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement in the North-Central Zone, to facilitate dialogue among community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious organizations.