National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor NentaweYilwatda, has projected that Plateau State would deliver more than one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, declaring that the state’s political landscape has shifted decisively in favour of the ruling party.
Yilwatda made the prediction on Tuesday, during an APC stakeholders’ meeting for Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency, held at the MNS Resort Hotel in Pankshin.
According to him, APC has become significantly stronger in Plateau State compared to the 2023 election cycle. He insisted that the political forces that once mounted stiff resistance against the party had now aligned with it.
Yilwatda stated, “All the stumbling blocks we had in 2023 are no longer there. Those who opposed us then have joined us now, including the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, commissioners, local government chairmen and other political appointees.”
Yilwatda described the PKK axis as the “traditional stronghold” of APC, recalling that Tinubu secured some of his highest votes from the constituency in the 2023 presidential election.
He stated that out of the three local governments in the constituency, APC won two for the presidency, in addition to sweeping Senate, House of Representatives and most state Assembly seats.
“APC has always been PKK, and PKK has always been APC,” he declared.
The APC national chairman said the party had transitioned from a period of intense opposition to a “united political front,” describing the current structure as a movement with no internal friction.
He said, “Come 2027, I can assure you that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pull some of his highest votes here — both in numbers and in percentage. There is no ward, no polling unit in PKK that we will not win. Politics is a game of numbers, and our target is over one million votes.”
Yilwatda attributed APC’s growing strength to the influx of key political actors across the state.
He added, “Today, we have the governor, the national chairman, all members of the House of Representatives, all members of the House of Assembly minus one, all senators minus one, all commissioners, councillors and local government chairmen. At both state and federal levels, we are now one family.”
In a notable shift from previous political tensions in the state, Yilwatdaannounced that he would no longer criticise Governor Mutfwang publicly, saying party unity now gives him direct access to governance.
“If the government gets it wrong, I can pick up the phone, visit the governor and discuss how to do better. That is the right way to build governance,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the influx of defectors, the APC chairman assured that the party’s structure remained intact and inclusive.
He said, “Nobody is coming to take over this party. There are many rooms and many chairs. APC gives equal rights and privileges to everyone, whether you joined today or ten years ago.”
He directed ward and local government leaders to welcome new members warmly.
“Go back to your wards. Welcome them. Celebrate them. Give them tea, coffee and bread. This party is not for one group alone,” he declared.
Yilwatda highlighted reforms under his leadership, including digital membership registration and the party’s expanding electoral dominance nationwide. He also disclosed plans for a new APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
“Today, we have over 100 senators, nearly 300 members of the House of Representatives and 29 governors. When I became chairman, Plateau was PDP. Today, Plateau is APC,” he said.
Bayelsa Gov, Senators, APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu
Members of APC in Bayelsa State under the leadership of Governor DouyeDiri, on Tuesday, endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
At a special stakeholders meeting of the party convened by Diri at Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the senator for Bayelsa Central, Dr. Konbowei Benson, moved the endorsement motion, seconded by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and former deputy governor, PeremoboweiEbebi.
Chairman of the new caretaker committee of the party, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, senator for Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Ebitimi Amgbare, as well as the ex-officio member (South-South) of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. GodblessDiriware, were among stakeholders at the well-attended meeting .
It was the first expanded meeting convened by the governor since becoming a member and leader of the party in the state in October 2025.
Diri expressed delight that Bayelsa APC, as one big family, had resolved to work together to deliver Tinubu for another term.
He underscored the need for the members to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and rise above politics of bitterness and divisive tendencies for the sake of peace, development and progress of the state.
Diri also urged the members to play by the rules and engage in politics of consultation, stating that those interested in political offices in the next election should shelve their ambitions for now.
He stated, “Here we are today in a very big family of the APC. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the old members of the party for the reception accorded me and other Peoples Democratic Party members who crossed over. It was a welcome like no other.
“Political parties are vehicles for development. Let us truly be progressives. Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, please put it on hold for now.
“Power comes from God. What should be uppermost is that we are all gathered here to make sure that President Tinubu returns for a second term.”
In a brief remark, Lokpobiri expressed joy to be part of the meeting and acknowledged that the Bayelsa APC now had one united and indivisible objective to wholly deliver the party for all elective offices in 2027.
Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate in the state, David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbarelauded the governor for his maturity, stating that his inclusive governance style would lead the party to achieve its objectives.
Also, APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dennis Otiotio, commended Dirifor uniting all facets of the party’s political leadership in the state, which he said had been fragmented for over a decade.
APC Debunks Claims of Former Defence Minister Badaru Planning to Defect to ADC
APC Jigawa Integrity Group rejected claims that former defence minister and ex-Jigawa Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, was secretly negotiating with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Addressing newsmen in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, leader of the group, Auwal Gumel, stated that, “This misinformation is clearly the work of Badaru’sdetractors and enemies of Jigawa State, who are determined to disrupt the strong bond between the former Governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is solid and unshakeable.
“This purported move to ADC is nothing but a figment of imagination from desperate mischief-makers. H.E. Badaru’s loyalty to APC and President Tinubu is ironclad; no amount of fake news can erode it. Our party structure in Jigawa stands united under his leadership.
“How can someone, who was allowed to build, furnish, and design a beautiful house abandon it and move to a dilapidated one? Never. Those who fear Muhammad Badaru are the ones spreading this imaginary and senseless narrative.”
Ahmad Sorondinki, Yemi Kosoko
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