APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged Plateau State residents to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, arguing that the administration has demonstrated greater commitment to the state’s development than previous governments.
Yilwatda made the appeal on Wednesday at a rally organised by the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Jos, where he highlighted federal government interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure and security as reasons the people of Plateau should support the President.
The APC chairman maintained that the state had received significant attention under Tinubu’s leadership, insisting that residents should consider the administration’s record when deciding whom to support in the next presidential election.
He also questioned the contributions of previous administrations to Plateau’s development, specifically challenging former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to identify major projects worth billions of naira delivered to the state during his eight years in office.
Atiku, who served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007, is now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to Yilwatda, the scale of development projects attributed to Tinubu’s administration represents a departure from what Plateau experienced under earlier governments.
“Show me one N10 billion project on the Plateau within that period,” he said, challenging the former vice-president to name a major project of comparable value executed in the state during his tenure.
He argued that previous interventions were often limited to smaller community projects and the distribution of basic facilities, contrasting them with what he described as the current administration’s more substantial investments.
“The best we could have in those days was a borehole, or they would bring Keke Napep for us. Today, the President is bringing major projects to the Plateau,” Yilwatda said.
The APC national chairman further cited the establishment of a university and the allocation of several projects to Plateau as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for residents.
He also identified insecurity as a major concern in the state, maintaining that the President had taken steps to address the problem.
“If you ask any Plateau man, ‘What is your problem?’ The number one problem is insecurity, and Mr President has addressed it,” he stated.
Yilwatda added that Plateau had a strong political connection to the ruling party through his position as its national chairman. He therefore urged residents to support Tinubu rather than back another presidential candidate.
“Your son is the national chairman of the APC. We are part and parcel of the system. We are in the inner caucus of the system. We have no reason to thumbprint any other presidential candidate on the Plateau at all,” he said.
Mutfwang backs Tinubu’s leadership
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also declared his support for Tinubu at the gathering, expressing confidence in the President’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
The governor disclosed that his decision to support Tinubu followed a meeting with the President on June 6, 2023. He said the encounter had convinced him that the President was a leader with whom he could work towards achieving national progress.
“Let me make a public confession for the first time: when I met with the President sometime on June 6, 2023, I made up my mind that this was the president to travel with,” Mutfwang said.
While acknowledging that Nigeria had yet to overcome its numerous difficulties, the governor insisted that the country was making efforts to address its problems.
He particularly highlighted security, describing the government’s efforts in that area as an ongoing process that required sustained commitment.
“Yes, we are not there yet. There are challenges in the country. We will not deny them, but definitely we are on the road to making things right. The security project is on course,” he said.
Mutfwang further stated that Tinubu had encouraged his administration in its efforts to improve security in Plateau, adding that the President’s position on tackling criminal activities was clear.
“Mr President is committed to securing Nigeria, and I can testify as your governor that he has given us every encouragement,” he added.
The governor called for continued action against criminal networks operating in Plateau and other parts of the country, expressing hope that sustained security efforts would make Nigeria safer for residents and visitors.
He also urged citizens not to lose confidence in the country’s future, declaring that those seeking to undermine peace and stability would ultimately be defeated.
“By the grace of God, the enemies of Nigeria and the enemies of Plateau State will not be victorious. We will be victorious over them,” Mutfwang said.
Door-to-Door campaign targets communities
The governor also called for stronger grassroots mobilisation, describing the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement as an initiative designed to reach communities across Plateau State ahead of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the movement intended to expand its engagement with residents rather than limit its activities to rallies and meetings involving political leaders.
“This is not just a campaign support group; it is a movement. We are therefore going to continue that door-to-door movement and make sure that we reach every nook and cranny of this state to mobilise people,” he said.
Mutfwang added that the campaign should promote inclusion and encourage efforts to make Plateau a peaceful place where Nigerians from different backgrounds could live.
Tompolo donates 25 vehicles
Meanwhile, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, donated 25 vehicles fitted with public address systems to strengthen the movement’s mobilisation activities.
Tompolo, the founder of the PBAT Door-to-Door Campaign, was represented at the rally by its National Coordinator, Hon. Adekanbi Sunday Asuku.
The vehicles are intended to support grassroots outreach for Tinubu’s re-election and the campaigns of other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Their deployment is expected to help campaign organisers communicate their message across communities and increase public engagement with the movement.
The donation formed part of the activities at the Jos gathering, where APC leaders and supporters emphasised the administration’s development agenda, security efforts and the importance of grassroots participation in the forthcoming elections.
About The Author
