APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has projected that Plateau State will produce more than one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, arguing that the party’s strength in the state has grown sharply since 2023.
Yilwatda spoke on Tuesday, January 6, at an APC stakeholders’ meeting for Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency held in Pankshin, where he said the political hurdles the party faced in the last election have largely disappeared because key actors have moved into the APC.
“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,” he said.
Using PKK as an example, Yilwatda described the constituency as long-standing APC territory and recalled the party’s performance there in 2023.
“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.
He said the party is now operating as “a movement without friction,” and predicted a clean sweep across wards and polling units in the constituency, while setting a statewide target.
“Come 2027, I can assure you that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pull some of his highest votes here, both in numbers and in percentage.
“There is no ward, no 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.
Yilwatda also pointed to what he described as the party’s expanded base in Plateau, listing the number of elected officials and appointees now aligned with the APC.
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“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. This is an addition to our party,” he said.
He added that he would no longer attack Governor Mutfwang publicly, saying the new political alignment gives him access to raise concerns directly.
“I will no longer criticise from the 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 explained.
Addressing worries among party faithful about defectors, Yilwatda urged inclusion and said the APC’s structure would not be taken over by newcomers.
“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 10 years ago,” he said.
He also instructed party leaders to receive new members warmly at the grassroots.
“Go back to your wards. Welcome them. Celebrate them. Give them tea, coffee and bread. This party is not for one group alone,” he said.
Yilwatda further highlighted reforms he said the party is pursuing, including digital membership registration and plans for a new National Secretariat in Abuja, while touting the APC’s national spread.
“Today, we have over 100 senators, nearly 300 members of the House of Representatives and 29 governors. When I became chairman, Plateau was PDP. Today, Plateau is APC,” he said.
At the meeting, Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam, and Plateau Assembly Speaker Na’anlong Daniel praised Yilwatda and pledged support for Tinubu, Mutfwang and the APC, saying the state would post its highest-ever vote total for the ruling party in 2027.