– Prof Nentawe Yilwatda

• Ruling party strong enough to manage defectors’ expectations – Otu

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has revealed that more politicians from opposition parties are set to defect to the ruling APC in the days ahead.

Yilwatda made this known during a meeting Plateau APC stakeholders held at Crest Hotel, Jos yesterday.

The National Chairman of APC, while apologising for arriving for the meeting late, attributed his lateness to a meeting he held with all APC governors in Kebbi State the previous day to assess the state of the party.

Assuring members that the ruling party was in very healthy condition, he said “there is no viral or bacterial infection. We even took the party to the lab in Kebbi—it came out clean!”

The APC Chairman then revealed that the party would be receiving some new defectors from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) next week.

Yilwatda said: “Next week, I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC.

Some of those who had defected from PDP have reached out to ADC and are now returning to APC.

“Many of them have completed their ‘medicals’ and will be officially unveiled next week.

“In another two weeks, we will unveil yet another big figure who just finished his own ‘medicals.’

“He tried to unveil himself the day before yesterday—you probably saw it in the news. But officially, we’ll be receiving him soon.

“More people are coming. More senators are joining; more governors, more members of the National Assembly. The APC is the bride of the moment.”

Commending party members for the solidarity he enjoyed from them on the death and burial of his mother recently, he thanked them for standing firmly by him durin the trying period.

He said: “When I lost my dear mother, the entire APC family and Platin Alcohol stood firmly by me.

“You provided a shoulder to lean on and became a pillar of strength for me during one of the most difficult moments of my life.

“My tears were soothed because you were there to offer comfort and support.

“Thank you so much for all you did—from the very beginning of my loss, through the burial, and even after.

“May God bless and reward you richly.

“I must also extend my deepest gratitude for how you stood your ground when we faced the setback at the Supreme Court.

“Many people thought that was the end of APC on the Plateau; that we had been buried politically.

“But what they didn’t see was the seed that had already been sown.

“That seed germinated, and today, APC is stronger, more vibrant and growing bigger by the day.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome our new members.

Some, like “The Masquerade,” are actually among the founding fathers of APC—so this is more of a homecoming than a new beginning.

“You are welcome back home, along with the former treasurer and the former Chairman of Mikang Local Government—also founding fathers of our great party.

“At the state level, I want to welcome others who have returned or joined us from various parties—Labour Party, PRP (like Boni), and PDP (like the one fondly referred to as “The Big Priest from the Dew Shrine”).

“As presented by the leader, you are all welcome.

“The beauty of APC is that it is a party that welcomes people, regardless of when they join.

“You don’t need to have been in APC from the beginning to rise. I am a testimony to this fact—many others are as well.

“If you join APC today, you are a full member with full rights and privileges.

“That is the spirit and the letter of our party’s constitution.

“This is your home. Your room is ready. Your bed is ready. The food is ready. Everything in the house is ready for you.

“And for those of you who were chased out of PDP, be encouraged.

“The Bible says God will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. That is exactly what God is doing for you here in APC.

“Those who rejected you will see you celebrated here.”

Charging party members to remain loyal and dedicated, he said they should think twice if anyone is trying to deceive them to leave the APC.

“Even those trying to lure you to PDP are on my phone daily, asking quietly for a chance to return.