One Party State: APC Confirms Nigerians’ Fears
The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), on Tuesday, confirmed what has been worrying Nigerians on the gale of defections that hit Nigerian politicians especially governors and members of the National Assembly.
The gale of defections have seen members of opposition decamping to the APC in droves fueling the speculation that the ruling party is tilting towards a one party state and that the president does not want virile opposition particularly one that can give him a good fight in the 2027 presidential election where president Tinubu would be contesting for a second term.
As this fear mounts, the president has always said that he did not inject the crises that have engulfed most opposition parties but maintained that he cannot reject members of the opposition that wants to join his party.
However, at the grand reception of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and his supporters into the APC at the Jos Polo Field, on Tuesday, the APC confirmed that it is happy with the decimation of opposition.
Speaking at the occasion, APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, said Governor Mutfwang’s entry reflected a growing national realignment, disclosing that candidates of several other parties had also joined the APC.
He expressed delight that Plateau has completed the pack in the North Central as it is the last to join.
He boasted that the APC have 29 governors in its kitty but it’s the intention of the party to have everybody in Nigeria as its member.
“We have 29 governors in the APC fold and we are still expecting more. APC’s intention is for everybody in Nigeria to become a member”, he submitted.
He expressed confidence that Plateau State would support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Earlier, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, for leading Plateau State into the APC fold.
He assured Governor Mutfwang of victory in 2027, describing his defection as completing APC’s political map in the North Central.
Akpabio also said President Tinubu has remained a leader for all Nigerians, regardless of faith, while offering prayers for the victims of past crises in Plateau State and pledging the National Assembly’s support for the resettlement of displaced persons.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the event as historic, noting that Plateau was the last state in the North Central zone to join the APC.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, described Mutfwang as “one of the best and brightest,” assuring that Plateau would record greater prosperity under the APC.
In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said the APC was now complete in the North Central and would deliver massive support for President Tinubu in 2027.
Speaking on his decision to join the APC, Governor Mutfwang said Plateau State had chosen a path that would reposition it for stronger collaboration with the Federal Government and full support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
He praised the President’s commitment to national renewal and unity and acknowledged Vice President Shettima’s role in encouraging his decision to defect to the APC.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday said the entry of Plateau State into the All Progressives Congress (APC) affirms the ruling party’s character as a truly national platform open to all Nigerians committed to unity, peace and inclusive development.
He described the APC as the destination for citizens who believe in a united future, stressing that the party remains anchored on national cohesion and inclusive governance.
Commending Governor Mutfwang, Shettima described him as a unifying leader whose administration has begun repositioning Plateau State from conflict and stagnation towards peace and transformation.
He praised the governor’s initiatives in peacebuilding, renewable energy deployment for primary healthcare centres, agricultural expansion, transport infrastructure renewal, and people-focused budgeting in education, healthcare and youth empowerment.
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