Tinibu, Mutfwang Receive Massive Support At APC Presidential Campaign Rally In Jos As Akpabio, Lalong, Nentawe Declare Party Unity

By: Labaran Ahmed 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday received a massive political reception in Jos, Plateau State, as leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, declared their commitment to the President's re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The North-Central Presidential Campaign Rally, held at Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, attracted an array of national and state political leaders, including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; former Plateau State Governors and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong; APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; members of the National Assembly, party stakeholders, traditional rulers, women and youth groups, and supporters from across the state.

The rally provided an opportunity for the APC leadership to demonstrate its political strength in Plateau State while reaffirming its commitment to securing victory for President Tinubu and other party candidates in the 2027 elections.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang described President Tinubu as a leader whose administration had demonstrated commitment to addressing Nigeria's economic and security challenges.

He recalled the difficult economic situation inherited by the Tinubu administration, noting that the President's policies had gradually moved the country towards recovery.

The governor expressed confidence that continued implementation of the administration's policies would take Nigeria beyond economic recovery to sustainable prosperity.

Mutfwang declared that Plateau State was prepared to demonstrate its appreciation for the President's support through its votes in the 2027 general elections.

He particularly acknowledged the Federal Government's interventions in infrastructure, education and other sectors, disclosing that students from Plateau State had benefited from more than ₦11 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He also commended the President for supporting major road infrastructure projects affecting the state, including the Akwanga-Jos road and other strategic road connections.

On security, the governor acknowledged federal support towards addressing insecurity in Plateau, expressing optimism over improvements recorded in the state.

However, he appealed to President Tinubu to provide additional assistance to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities.

Mutfwang disclosed that his administration would present a comprehensive Marshall Plan for the return and resettlement of displaced persons, stressing that the exercise would require collaboration between the state and federal governments.

The governor also appealed to the President to support the completion and upgrading of Zaria Road Stadium into an international-standard sporting facility.

Describing the stadium as a project that had remained unfinished for decades, he urged Tinubu to help the state overcome what he described as a longstanding development challenge.

Beyond infrastructure and security, Mutfwang highlighted his administration's employment and technology initiatives, disclosing that an employment hub was being established to provide opportunities for 2,000 young people to work remotely for organisations in the United States and Europe while remaining in Plateau.

He also highlighted the establishment of a technology hub to strengthen security operations and create opportunities for innovation.

The governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to working with the Federal Government to advance development and improve the welfare of Plateau residents.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urged the people of Plateau State to support President Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang in the forthcoming elections, assuring them that the Federal Government was committed to ending insecurity and restoring prosperity.

Akpabio said his responsibility as Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly was to reassure Nigerians that President Tinubu meant well for the country, particularly the people of Plateau State.

He observed that political divisions that characterised the 2023 elections had given way to a new atmosphere of unity among political leaders in Plateau.

According to him, the coming together of Governor Mutfwang and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, demonstrated that the party had overcome previous divisions.

He repeatedly emphasised that the party was now united, declaring that "the party is one."

The Senate President assured residents that the Tinubu administration would intensify efforts to end insecurity, restore economic prosperity and create an environment where citizens could sleep peacefully without fear.

He also encouraged farmers to return to their farms, noting that Plateau's favourable weather conditions provided enormous opportunities for agricultural production.

On security reforms, Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly was working towards legislation to establish state police, explaining that the proposed arrangement would strengthen security at the community level and help prevent further displacement of residents by invaders.

He said the National Assembly remained firmly behind President Tinubu's efforts to restore security and advance national development.

Former Plateau State Governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, was also among the prominent political figures at the rally. Lalong had expressed confidence in the APC's electoral prospects in Plateau State, calling for stronger grassroots mobilisation and unity among party stakeholders.

He had also expressed optimism that Plateau could deliver substantial votes for President Tinubu in 2027.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling promises made to Plateau State, declaring that the party's leadership was fully behind the President and Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

He recalled that the President had promised to provide additional security formations, including two battalions and one brigade, as well as four command centres for security agencies.

According to him, the President also fulfilled commitments concerning the provision of surveillance cameras and other security infrastructure.

He assured Tinubu that Plateau residents would demonstrate their appreciation through their votes in the January 16, 2027 election.

In a significant political moment at the rally, the APC National Chairman formally presented the party's flag to Governor Mutfwang, recognising him as the party's governorship candidate for the forthcoming election.

Describing Mutfwang as his former secondary school senior, friend, brother and political candidate, Yilwatda pledged the party's full support for his second-term ambition.

He congratulated the governor and urged him to take the APC flag, which he described as the symbol of unity and progress, to the people and mobilise support across the state.

"Your Excellency, congratulations. Take this flag of APC, flag of unity, flag of progress. You have the proof, go and seek all the votes," he declared.

In his address, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to addressing insecurity in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

He promised that communities affected by attacks would be rebuilt and displaced residents supported to return to their ancestral homes.

The President also highlighted ongoing security interventions, including the training of forest guards and the strengthening of surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

He urged residents to embrace peaceful coexistence, irrespective of ethnic, religious and cultural differences.

One of the major development announcements associated with his address was the proposed conversion of Jos Airport into a cargo airport to facilitate the exportation of agricultural produce, particularly potatoes and vegetables, to international markets.

The initiative, if implemented, is expected to strengthen Plateau's agricultural economy, improve market access for farmers and create additional employment opportunities.

Tinubu also encouraged eligible Nigerians to participate in the electoral process and support his administration in the 2027 elections.