Politics
Political Undertones As APC Chairman Buries Mother in Jos
▪︎▪︎▪︎APC/PDP Renew Battle For Control of the Soul of the Plateau.
By: Special Correspondent.
All roads led to Jos, the Plateau state capital last Saturday, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC Governers, ministers and top government officials, for the burial of Madam Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe; mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda.
Madam Yilwatda, who died penultimate week, was buried with pop and peagentry, which started with the service of songs on Friday, through a church service at the COCIN headquarters, before the final interment at Kanke
Our correspondent reports that, while burial activities were going on, a serious political drama was equally playing out on the sidelines.
It was an occassion of tears and Tributes, on one hand, just as it was a test of political strength, on the other, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and the APC re-enacting the battle for the soul of the plateau, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emotions poured out as various speakers paid glowing tributes to the late APC Chairman’s Mother, with
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in particular, describes the late matriah of the Goshwe lineage as “a woman of deep faith and boundless love,”.
Tinubu said that her legacy of service and sacrifice to humanity will continue to inspire generations.
To the Plateau state Governor, Caleb Manaseh, the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda brought honour to Plateau state with President Tinubu’s attendance.
While thanking the President for honouring the people of Plateau with his presence, he described it as a gesture of love and unity.
The chief mourner Proffessor Nantawe poured out his emotions as he spoke about his mother’s strength.
He said, in a cracking voice,how “At age 36, doctors said she had only two years to live—but God gave her 47 more. She lived for others and gave everything to her family.”
In thanking President Tinubu and the Progressive Governors Forum, as well as the people of Plateau for their support, promising to carry his mother’s lessons of faith and service into his new role as APC National Chairman, Professor Yilwatda said the pains of the loss has been cushioned by the general show of solidarity.
Our correspondent who has been in Jos however reports that, the funeral wasn’t just a farewell to the Chairman’s mother, it was a rhedezvous for political leaders who thronged Jos to register their allegiance and scheme against 2027.
The Plateau state government rolled out the drums to welcome the President to Jos, but not without a show of the political strength of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the ruling party on the Plateau.
Ahead of President Tinubu’s arrival to the coal city, every electric pole in Jos city was darbed in the flag of the PDP, while strategic roundabouts were adorned with welcome banners for the President.
Findings indicate that Governor Caleb Muftwang had ordered all government officials to avail themselves of the presidential visit and deployed logistics for participation in the burial.
The All Progressives Congress, which Chairman is from the state, had its own plans to make a political statement with the burial.
Prominent politicians who are from Plateau state have been holding meetings and strategizing on how to turn the apple cart in 2027 by retaking the state from the PDP.
The APC stalwarts are planning to show their disapproval of Governor Caleb Muftwangs reluctance to accept President Tinubus offer of a softlanding if he decamps to the APC.
Our findings reveal that the governor had initially agreed to move into the APC at his meeting with the president, only to renege.
As part of plans to show their resolve of taking Plateau from the PDP, the entire Federal Government structure, led by the President, as well as that of states governed by the APC relocated to Jos, during the burial.
Since Friday, when the burial rites started, Jos was turned into a political battlefield with the APC and PDP showing of their followerships.
Placard bearing youth with various inscriptions lined up the streets as support groups fall over themselves in trying to impress President Tinubu, while the PDP worked underground to show that they are in charge in Plateau.
In the residences of former Governor Simon Bako Lalong, former deputy Governor Pauline Tallen and Senator I D Gyang, the national coordinator of Team Tinubu 2027, political consultations continued throughout the night, on the best strategies to outshine the PDP during the burial.
Before leaving Jos, President Bola Tinubu held meetings with church leaders on how to win the sympathy of Northern Christians in the face of perceived challenges from the core northern states.
A source close to Governor Muftwang told our correspondent that, plateau people were not bothered by the heavy presence of APC jaguarnauts, arguing that, since they were all imported to intimidate the PDP, the people of Plateau will eventually decide, who governs the state in 2027.
But a prominent member of the Team Tinubu 2027, who prefers anonimity told National Trail, that, the burial seemed to show the overwhelming popularity of the APC in Plateau.
He confirmed that most political figures in Plateau have accepted to work for President Tinubu from the background, even if they may not officially decamp to the APC.
Governor Muftwang seem to suggest in his own speech during the funeral, that, he is prepared to work for the Renewed Hope agenda, along with the President’s wife, Oluremi Tinubu.
Political analysts believe that, with Professor Nantawe as national Chairman of the APC, Plateau state could be the melting pot of the 2027 politics.
National Trail can safely report, that, part of the mandate handed down to the new APC chairman, was to deliver his state back to the APC.
The days ahead will confirm if the permutations are true to the effect that, last Saturdays burial, was a pointer to what nay obtain in the journey towards 2027.
Politics
KAWU HAILS TINUBU’S LANDSLIDE APC PRIMARY VICTORY, DESCRIBES IT AS “A TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY ”
Rt. Hon. Comrade Hafiz Kawu, OON, mni, Executive Commissioner (Technical) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his overwhelming victory at the 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primary Election, describing the outcome as a clear endorsement of the President’s leadership and reform-driven administration.
Kawu, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State, said the President’s victory was not only historic but also a reflection of the growing confidence Nigerians have in the Renewed Hope agenda.
President Tinubu secured a massive victory in the nationwide direct primary election conducted across the country’s 8,809 wards, polling over 10 million votes to defeat his challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo.
Reacting to the result, Kawu said the election demonstrated the strength of Nigeria’s democratic process and the willingness of Nigerians to stand behind a leader they believe is committed to national progress.
According to him, the President’s decision to participate in an open and transparent direct primary election despite being the incumbent leader showed rare courage, humility, and democratic conviction.
He noted that President Tinubu could easily have relied on the influence of incumbency but instead chose to subject himself to the will of party members and ordinary Nigerians through a grassroots voting process.
Kawu praised the President for championing reforms that strengthened internal party democracy, saying the direct primary system gave millions of Nigerians a sense of participation and ownership in the political process.
The PenCom Commissioner further commended the Tinubu administration for implementing policies and reforms aimed at repositioning the country’s economy, improving infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and enhancing workers’ welfare through measures such as the new national minimum wage.
He stated that many Nigerians were beginning to see the practical impact of the administration’s policies, adding that the outcome of the primary election reflected public appreciation for the President’s efforts.
Kawu also described Tinubu as a leader with a strong vision for national development and unity, stressing that the renewed mandate from party members should serve as further motivation to continue delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
He reaffirmed his support and loyalty to the President’s administration and prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the President as he continues to steer the affairs of the nation.
Kawu concluded by expressing optimism that Nigeria would continue to witness growth, stability, and progress under President Tinubu’s leadership.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Dogara, who served as Bauchi State Coordinator and Collation Officer while also sitting on the national Presidential Primary Election Committee, said the outcome was not just a win for Tinubu but a triumph for grassroots democracy. He congratulated the President on behalf of Bauchi State and in his capacity as a member of the committee, calling the victory extraordinary, historic, and thoroughly deserved.
The final results revealed Tinubu’s overwhelming mandate: 10,999,162 votes across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, compared to just 15,503 for his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo. For Dogara, this margin was more than a statistic; it was a declaration of trust from millions of APC members nationwide. He noted that nearly eleven million Nigerians had risen as one to affirm a leader who had earned their confidence, describing the outcome as a movement rather than just a result.
Dogara commended the election committee, chaired by former SGF Pius Anyim and including respected figures such as Ken Nnamani, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Idris Wada, for ensuring transparency, credibility, and fairness throughout the process. He said the committee had been given a sacred mandate to guarantee integrity and was proud that it discharged that responsibility faithfully.
He also highlighted Tinubu’s decision to subject himself to direct primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, which abolished delegate voting and empowered millions of party members at the grassroots. Dogara stressed that Tinubu could have relied on the powers of incumbency but instead chose to stand before the people. He described this as humility and character, noting that Tinubu had signed the law, championed the reforms, and then submitted himself to the same process, proving his commitment to democratic principles.
In his closing remarks, Dogara urged Tinubu to carry the weight of the people’s confidence with integrity and purpose. He reminded the President that nearly eleven million Nigerians had entrusted him with their hopes, calling it a responsibility of historic proportions. He charged Tinubu to fulfill that mandate faithfully, declaring that history is watching and that Nigerians are proud.
Over the weekend, Hon. Peter A. Akpanke emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency in Cross River State after securing an overwhelming majority of votes cast across the three local government areas.
The primary election, monitored by party officials and stakeholders, recorded a total of 18,921 registered APC members and delegates across Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Areas.
Official results collation which was made available to journalists showed that 16,564 valid votes were cast during the exercise, with no void votes recorded.
According to the results, Hon. Akpanke polled a total of 14,252 votes to defeat five other aspirants, with
Hon. Theresa Akwaji Ushie scoring 101 votes;
Hon. Martin Orim with 1,572 votes;
Anthonia A. Ally with 104 votes;
Dr. Vincent A. Ushie with 270 votes and
Dr. Godwin A. Agbor with 265 votes.
A breakdown of the constituency wide results showed that Akpanke secured 4,749 votes in Obanliku Local Government Area, 4,886 votes in Obudu Local Government Area, and 4,617 votes in Bekwarra Local Government Area, consolidating respectively.
Following the conclusion of the collation process, APC electoral officials formally declared Hon. Peter A. Akpanke winner of the party’s House of Representatives primary election for the Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency.
The primary election was described by stakeholders, observers and party officials as peaceful, orderly transparent and credible, noting that the outcome reflected the will of party delegates and members across the constituency.
The primary election was conducted under the supervision of APC electoral officials who demonstrated true professionalism, with the official collation documents signed and dated May 16, 2026.
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