Plateau Prepares Grand Welcome For Tinibu As Mutfwang's APC Alignment Opens New Federal Partnership
By: Labaran Ahmed
Plateau State is positioning itself for a historic political moment as it prepares to host President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the North-Central zonal leg of the party’s 2027 presidential campaign rally scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos.
Beyond the political significance of the rally, the preparations reflect Plateau State's renewed political relationship with the Federal Government following Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang's defection to the APC in January 2026, a development that has strengthened the state's engagement with the ruling party at the national level.
The state is not only preparing to receive the President but is also using the occasion to demonstrate its hospitality, organisational capacity and readiness to consolidate the emerging partnership between the Plateau Government and the Tinubu-led Federal Government.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Architect Samuel Nanchang Jatau, disclosed this on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Council Secretariat, Hill Station Junction, along Tudu-Wada Road, Jos.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the APC and the Local Organising Committee, Jatau said preparations were at an advanced stage, assuring residents and visitors that the state was committed to delivering a peaceful, successful and well-coordinated presidential visit.
He disclosed that President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, would be accompanied by a high-powered delegation comprising the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; state governors; members of the National Working Committee; the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Abdulaziz; members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other prominent party leaders.
According to the SSG, the rally would commence at 10:00 a.m. at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, and is expected to attract party leaders, supporters and stakeholders from across the North-Central region.
Beyond the assurances given during the press briefing, our correspondent observed that road-clearance operations had been undertaken along sections of the designated routes, with potential obstructions capable of causing traffic congestion being removed.
Large campaign billboards and other publicity materials bearing the images of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were also being erected and positioned along strategic locations, adding to the atmosphere of anticipation ahead of the visit.
Notably, temporary roadblocks previously mounted by security personnel around the Police Headquarters in Jos had also been removed, while other potential traffic obstructions along the routes were being cleared to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
These visible developments provided an additional indication of the seriousness with which the state and relevant stakeholders are approaching the presidential visit.
The preparations also suggest an effort to ensure that the President's movement through the state capital is orderly, secure and free from unnecessary disruptions, while allowing residents and other road users to move with minimal inconvenience.
Security and Logistics Take Centre Stage
Speaking on security arrangements, Jatau explained that the Plateau State Government, under Governor Mutfwang, was working in collaboration with the APC national and state leadership, relevant government institutions and security agencies to guarantee a hitch-free visit.
He identified venue preparation, transportation, traffic management, security coordination, crowd control, emergency response and general logistics as major areas receiving attention.
He added that the committee was working closely with security and emergency management agencies to establish effective access control, coordinate the movement of dignitaries, implement appropriate screening procedures and guarantee the safety of participants and members of the public.
The SSG consequently appealed to residents, motorists, business operators, party supporters and other road users to cooperate with security agencies, obey official directives and exercise patience where temporary traffic adjustments become necessary around the rally venue and adjoining roads.
Mutfwang's Political Realignment and Plateau's Federal Advantage
One of the major issues highlighted during the briefing was the changing political relationship between Plateau State and the Federal Government following Governor Mutfwang's formal defection to the APC in January 2026.
Jatau recalled that the governor was formally received into the party by its National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, describing the political development as an important step towards strengthening cooperation between Plateau State and the national leadership of the ruling party.
The SSG maintained that the relationship had created a stronger platform for engagement with the Federal Government and provided additional opportunities for Plateau State to advance its development priorities.
In this regard, he highlighted some ongoing and approved federal infrastructure projects expected to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities across the state.
Among them are the ongoing construction of the Akwanga-Jos Road, rehabilitation of the Sharam-Garam-Babanlaba Road in Kanam, and the recently approved Mararaban Jama'a-Kanke-Langtang-Shendam-Ibi Road, extending towards Taraba State.
He explained that the projects would improve the movement of people and agricultural produce, strengthen commercial activities and enhance economic integration between Plateau communities and neighbouring states.
On security, Jatau disclosed that the Federal Government had made commitments towards addressing the security challenges confronting Plateau State, particularly through the procurement of surveillance cameras earlier promised by President Tinubu, with installation expected to commence soon.
He also revealed that approval had been granted for the recruitment and training of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen community-level security, improve surveillance and enhance the protection of lives and property.
These interventions, he noted, demonstrate the importance of sustained collaboration between the state and Federal Government in addressing the challenges confronting Plateau.
Mutfwang Administration Highlights Development Record
While discussing the state government's performance, the SSG highlighted ongoing policies and programmes across education, agriculture, healthcare, transportation, tourism and road infrastructure.
In education, he identified the reduction in school fees, increased allowances for students in tertiary institutions and international scholarship opportunities as some of the administration's interventions aimed at expanding access to education.
He further disclosed that students from 14 tertiary institutions across Plateau State had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with financial support reportedly amounting to ₦111.3 billion.
In agriculture, Jatau said the government had introduced subsidies on farm inputs to support farmers, improve productivity and strengthen food security.
On healthcare, he highlighted the establishment of a ₦590 million Central Drug Warehouse under the Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency, designed to strengthen medical supplies management, prevent the circulation of fake pharmaceuticals and improve access to essential medicines in public hospitals.
He also announced the introduction of 20 new Sienna buses to service the Jos-Abuja route and other parts of the country, with additional buses expected to be deployed for inter-local government transportation.
According to him, these initiatives form part of the administration's broader commitment to improving living conditions, expanding economic opportunities and ensuring that the benefits of governance reach ordinary citizens.
A Rally Beyond Party Politics
Addressing the wider significance of the November 14 gathering, Jatau described the rally as an opportunity for the APC to reaffirm its commitment to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and communicate its vision for Nigeria's future.
He stressed that building a stronger Nigeria required collective responsibility, constructive political engagement, stronger democratic institutions and sustained participation by citizens.
The SSG expressed optimism that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the party's national leadership to engage members and supporters, communicate government programmes and strengthen the party's political structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He therefore called on APC members, supporters and well-wishers across the 17 local government areas of Plateau State and the entire North-Central region to turn out peacefully and responsibly to welcome the President and his entourage.
He equally urged the media to provide accurate, balanced and timely information before, during and after the presidential visit, emphasising the importance of responsible journalism in keeping the public properly informed.
Among the prominent personalities present at the briefing were the immediate past Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, who also serves as Director-General of the Mutfwang Campaign Organisation; the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Mutfwang, Dr. Gyang Bere; and other government officials and party stakeholders.
For Plateau State, therefore, the November 14 rally represents more than a routine political gathering. It presents an opportunity to demonstrate the state's readiness to welcome the nation's leadership, showcase its renewed political relationship with the Federal Government and strengthen its position within the ruling party's national political structure.
As the countdown to the presidential visit continues, attention will be on how effectively the state translates its preparations into a successful event worthy of the importance attached to the President's visit.
