APC chair Yilwatda says Tinubu has done more for Plateau than past presidents

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has said President Bola Tinubu has delivered more for Plateau State than any president before him. He spoke on Wednesday at a rally in Jos organised by the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, according to Vanguard and Leadership.

Yilwatda told supporters that Plateau has no reason to back any other presidential candidate in 2027, pointing to his own position as head of the ruling party. He said the state is now inside the "inner caucus" of power, and argued that past governments gave Plateau only small things such as boreholes and tricycles while the current one is attracting bigger projects.

He listed a university and investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and security as gains for the state. On the state's biggest problem, he said: "The number one problem is insecurity, and Mr President has addressed it."

Yilwatda also took aim at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He challenged him to name one road or one project worth ₦10 billion built on the Plateau during his eight years in office. That is a political claim, not a finding by any court or panel.

Mutfwang explains his support

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang used the rally to explain why he now backs Tinubu, despite belonging to a different party when he was first elected. He said a meeting with the President on June 6, 2023 convinced him Tinubu was the leader to work with.

"Let me make a public confession for the first time," Mutfwang said, adding that he decided that day to "travel with" the President.

The governor admitted the country still has problems but said things are moving in the right direction, especially on security. He said Tinubu has encouraged his government and made clear that criminal networks in Plateau and across Nigeria must be dismantled.

He described the door-to-door effort as a movement rather than a mere support group, and promised to take it to every part of the state. He also said his administration is carrying everyone along so Plateau can be a place where all Nigerians can live in peace.

What happens next

The founder of the movement, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, was represented by its national coordinator, Hon Adekanbi Sunday Asuku. The two outlets differ on the donation: Vanguard reported 28 campaign vehicles, while Leadership said 25 vehicles fitted with public address systems. The vehicles are meant to help mobilise voters for Tinubu and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.