Dozens of opposition members defect to APC in Plateau

Dozens of party loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) on Saturday dumped their parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among those who joined the ruling party were the Political Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Latep Dabang, former senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang, Labour Party Governorship aspirant, Dr. Patrick Dakum, member representing Jos North/ Bassa in the House of Representatives under Labour Party, Daniel Asama, Jang’s loyalist, Isaac Wadak, Alfred Iliya; Senator Heidi Chang; and many others leaders, political strategists, and grassroots forces in their various zones.

They were received by APC party stalwarts led by the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

Also in attendance to receive the defectors were the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Former Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central, members of the House of Representatives from the state and members of the State House of Assembly.

The senate president, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the PDP as dead on the Plateau.

He said that with the defection of notable chieftains from the various political parties, APC remains the dominant party and set to reclaim the governorship seat as well as retain the federal and state legislative seats.

Akpabio assured the defectors that they will have equal rights and privileges in APC.

He described the national chairman as a great asset to the party.

APC Chairman, Nentawe, said, “My message today is very simple — because what is happening here is very simple. Mr. President, this matter is very clear, and I will make it very easy for everyone to understand.

“We are here to receive people who have moved from the Labour Party to the APC — National Assembly members, House of Assembly members, and leaders who have left the Labour Party and joined us.

“We are receiving PDP members from every corner — former National Assembly members, former House of Assembly members, former gubernatorial candidates — everyone who matters in PDP has now moved to APC.

“All those who matter in PRP — the entire structure — they have moved from PRP to APC.

“All the ADC members, former National Assembly members, former governorship candidates — they have all moved from ADC to APC.

“Today, on the Plateau, there is only one political party. If you are not in APC, you are not in politics”.

“I am proud to announce that today, we have enough manpower, enough firepower, enough energy, enough structure — the kind of engine that can win the Central Zone, win the Southern Zone, win the Northern Zone — and win it convincingly.”

Senator Lalong, while welcoming the defectors said, “The National Chairman of our party you prophesied this day, and today that prophecy has come to pass.You once said there is no other party on the Plateau except the APC. What we are witnessing here today is proof of that statement. If you see this massive crowd, it is because some people attempted to bury the APC on the Plateau — but APC is a party with nine lives.”

He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “The only President we have for the next election, and everybody knows it, is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If they like, let them go and resurrect that party (PDP) it will not come back again.”

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, applauded the spirit of the defectors in identifying with politics at the centre and assured them that they would not regret their decision

He said that the people of the state have taken the right decision, adding that the president had the foresight when he appointed Nentawe as the national chairman of the party.

He said, “We left Abuja to be here because we recognize that Plateau State has taken the right decision. You are on the right side of history.”