The All Progressives Congress made a significant push in Plateau State on Saturday, 15 November 2025, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, received a large bloc of defectors from five opposition parties at a rally held at the Jos Polo Field.
A statement issued on Sunday, 16 November 2025, by Akpabio’s Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, confirmed that key APC leaders were on ground to welcome new members crossing over from the PDP, Labour Party, PRP, ADC and NNPP.
Those who switched allegiance included Senator Istifanus Gyang, who represented Plateau North in the Ninth National Assembly; former Director-General of the PDP’s 2023 campaign team, Latep Dabang; Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr. Patrick Dakum; and former NNPP governorship hopeful, Alfred Dabwam.
Addressing the gathering, Akpabio said the turnout reflected growing trust in the APC’s direction at both state and national levels, assuring the defectors that they would enjoy equal status and opportunities within the party.
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Yilwatda described the influx as a major political shift for Plateau, noting that the development highlights the changing dynamics ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The rally drew thousands of supporters from across the state’s 17 local government areas and is considered one of the APC’s most extensive mobilisation efforts in Plateau this year, signalling the party’s determination to strengthen its political foothold.