By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Jos
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, on Saturday arrived Polo Stadium in Jos, Plateau State, to formally receive top political figures defecting from other parties into the APC.
Akpabio, who entered the venue with his entourage to a rousing welcome, is expected to receive several political heavyweights, including retired General John Sura, a former governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Patrick Dakum, a former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
Others listed for defection include former Senator I. D. Gyang, as well as Latep Dabang, a former political adviser to former Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The Senate President is also expected to receive senators, former and serving members of the House of Representatives, alongside thousands of grassroots members from different political blocs across the state.
Sources within the party told our correspondent that the Vice President may also join to lead reconciliation efforts targeted at unifying aggrieved APC members who defected or became inactive after the 2023 general elections.
Party loyalists at the stadium described the rally as a major breakthrough towards repositioning the APC in Plateau State, stressing that Akpabio’s presence signals strong national backing for the new entrants.
They noted that the visit also presents an opportunity to rebuild party structures, reinforce loyalty and expand APC’s political dominance ahead of future elections.
Security presence at the venue was heavy, with soldiers, police officers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies stationed within and around the stadium to maintain order.