Senate President Godswill Akpabio and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on Saturday received a large group of defectors from various political parties into the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State.

According to a statement by Akpabio’s media aide, Anietie Ekong, party leaders gathered at the Jos Polo Field to welcome new members from the PDP, Labour Party, PRP, ADC and NNPP.

Notable defectors include former Plateau North senator, Istifanus Gyang; ex-PDP campaign DG, Latep Dabang; Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr. Patrick Dakum; and former NNPP governorship candidate, Alfred Dabwam. Several serving House of Representatives members — Fom Dalyop, Ajang Alfred Ilya, and Daniel Asama Ago — also joined the APC.

Representing President Bola Tinubu at the rally, Akpabio said Yilwatda’s emergence as APC National Chairman had revitalised the party in the state. He expressed confidence that Plateau would fully deliver for the APC in the 2027 elections.

Akpabio also assured residents that President Tinubu was addressing security challenges in the state, stressing that years of killings and displacements must come to an end.

The defectors were presented with party flags and brooms by Yilwatda, who promised them equal rights within the APC.

The event was attended by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Governors Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa) and Hyacinth Alia (Benue); and Kogi State Deputy Governor, Salifu Joel.

In February 2025, PUNCH Online reported that over 300 PDP chieftains had left the party within a year, citing ongoing crises at both state and national levels.