By Israel Adamu, Jos
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has projected that Plateau State will deliver more than one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, citing the party’s growing influence and the weakening of opposition structures across the state.Yilwatda made the declaration on Tuesday during an APC stakeholders’ meeting for the Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency, held at the MNS Resort Hotel in Pankshin, Plateau State. The meeting brought together party leaders, elected officials, and grassroots representatives ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to the APC chairman, the party’s position in Plateau has significantly improved since the 2023 elections, with former political rivals now aligning with the ruling party.“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 said. He described the PKK Federal Constituency as a traditional stronghold of the APC, noting that President Tinubu recorded some of his strongest performances in the area during the 2023 presidential election.“Out of the three local governments in PKK, President Tinubu won two. The Senate seats were APC, the House of Representatives was APC, and most members of the Plateau State House of Assembly were APC. APC has always been PKK, and PKK has always been APC,” he stated.
Yilwatda added that the party, which once faced stiff resistance in the state, now enjoys a united political front.“Come 2027, I can assure you that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pull some of his highest votes here, both in numbers and percentage. There is no ward or polling unit in PKK that we will not win. Politics is a game of numbers, and our target is over one million votes,” he declared.The APC chairman attributed the party’s renewed confidence to the influx of influential political actors, which he said has strengthened its numerical and strategic advantage.
“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,” he said.Yilwatda also announced that he would no longer publicly criticise Governor Mutfwang, explaining that party unity now provides him with direct channels to engage on governance issues.“I will no longer criticise from outside. Now I have access. 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.
Addressing concerns from long-standing party members about new entrants, Yilwatda assured that the APC’s structure would not be hijacked.“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 said. He urged party leaders at ward and local government levels to warmly receive defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties, stressing that inclusiveness was key to electoral success.Highlighting reforms under his leadership, Yilwatda pointed to digital membership registration, expanded electoral reach, and plans for a new APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam), and Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Na’anlong Daniel, commended Yilwatda’s leadership and pledged support for President Tinubu ahead of the Tinubu 2027 re-election bid.The meeting attracted a large turnout of APC stakeholders, including party elders, youths, women leaders, ward and local government officials, former lawmakers, commissioners, and councillors from across the PKK Federal Constituency.
