In a significant event that is set to reshape the political landscape of Plateau State, a massive defection of prominent politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was officially celebrated on Saturday, November 16, 2025.
A Grand Welcome for New Members
The ceremony, held at the Jos Polo Field, was a colorful affair with a massive turnout of party supporters. The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, jointly presided over the event, formally receiving the defectors.
The new members abandoned five different political parties to join the ruling APC. The parties they left include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Who Are The Key Defectors?
The list of defectors includes some of the most influential political figures in the state. Among them are:
Senator Istifanus Gyang, who previously represented Plateau North in the Senate.
Latep Dabang, the former Director-General of the PDP campaign council in the state.
Dr. Patrick Dakum, who was the Labour Party's candidate for governor in the 2023 elections.
Alfred Dabwam, a former governorship candidate for the NNPP.
The movement also included several members of the House of Representatives, namely Hon. Fom Dalyop, Hon. Ajang Alfred Ilya, and Hon. Daniel Asama Ago.
Strengthening APC for 2027 and a Pledge for Peace
Senator Akpabio, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, warmly welcomed the new members. He described them as "political caterpillars", highlighting their vast experience and influence which he believes will be a major asset for the APC as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
He also shifted focus to the pressing issue of security in the region. "Too many lives have been lost. Too many homes destroyed," Akpabio stated emphatically. "Plateau deserves peace, and anyone who wants to govern this state must be committed to peace." He assured the people that ending the long cycle of violence and displacement is a top priority for the federal government.
Professor Yilwatda's speech was a bold declaration of the APC's newfound strength. He announced that the party's dominance in Plateau State is now fully consolidated. "Today, on the Plateau, there is only one political party. If you are not in APC, you are not in politics," he proclaimed. He confidently predicted that with this powerful new structure, the state would deliver victory for President Tinubu in 2027 and secure all senatorial, federal, and state positions for the APC.
The defectors were formally welcomed into the party with the presentation of APC flags and the symbolic broom. The National Chairman assured them that they would enjoy all the same rights and privileges as every other member of the party.
The high-profile reception was attended by several other dignitaries, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Governors of Nasarawa and Benue States, Abdullahi Sule and Hyacinth Alia, respectively, and the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Salifu Joel.
This event marks a pivotal moment in Plateau politics, signaling an aggressive consolidation by the APC and positioning it as the undeniable dominant force in the state's political arena as the countdown to the 2027 elections begins.
