Tinubu Preaches Unity at Massive North-Central APC Rally in Jos Amid Late Arrival, Security Scuffle
By Ayuba Azaki Danjuma
JOS, Plateau State — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday called for peaceful coexistence and unity across Plateau State and the broader North-Central zone during a massive All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held at the New Jos Stadium along Zaria Road.
The event, which attracted a flurry of national and local media organizations, saw over 50,000 party faithful and residents throng the stadium grounds. President Tinubu arrived at the venue accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The rally drew a heavy presence of top political figures and party stalwarts from across the country, including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase. Also in attendance were former Plateau State Governors, Senator Simon Bako Lalong and Senator Joshua Dariye, alongside former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen. During the ceremony, the Governors of the North-Central states of Niger, Kogi, and Benue were officially handed the APC party flags as the party moves to consolidate its base in the region.
Addressing the crowd, President Tinubu commended Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for prioritizing peace and stability, noting that no administration can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity. He also praised the collaborative efforts between the state leadership and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, describing their partnership as vital to the progress and prosperity of the Plateau people.
Reflecting on past violent attacks that have claimed lives and displaced communities in the state, the President offered heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and survivors. He apologized for not reaching the affected hinterlands during his previous visit when his movement was restricted to the airport, assuring residents that he had received full briefings on the devastation.
“We are one single family created by the same God Almighty,” Tinubu told the gathering. “Living in different rooms or speaking different languages does not make us enemies of one another. We have to live together, we have to farm together, and we have to build this Plateau and this country together.”
Despite the high energy and massive turnout earlier in the day, a major low point of the event was the premature departure of scores of APC supporters and attendees even before President Tinubu mounted the podium. Many attendees attributed the early exit to fatigue after waiting for nearly five hours before the President and the First Lady finally arrived at the stadium.
Tension also flared prior to the President’s arrival at the restricted entrance leading to the main pitch, an area reserved exclusively for VIP dignitaries, accredited journalists, and the presidential entourage. According to Eagle Eye Watch News, a major altercation broke out between event organizers and a combined team of Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives over access control. The disagreement escalated into a physical scuffle, during which one of the organizers overpowered two security personnel and pinned them to the floor. In the ensuing chaos, a police officer tore and dragged the necktie of the organizer before order was eventually restored at the gate.
