The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stirred political debate after declaring that Nigerians who are not members of the ruling party now constitute a political minority. The statement was made on Tuesday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, during the official defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the APC, an event that significantly reshaped the political landscape of the state.

The high-profile defection ceremony attracted party loyalists, political stakeholders, and supporters from across Plateau. Governor Mutfwang’s decision to formally align with the APC was described by party leaders as a turning point, further consolidating the ruling party’s influence and strengthening its grassroots structure in the state.

Addressing the crowd, Yilwatda projected confidence in the APC’s dominance, asserting that the party has achieved widespread acceptance across Plateau’s wards and local governments. According to him, the political reality on ground clearly shows that the APC has become the central force, while other parties are steadily losing relevance.

He openly described non-APC members as minorities, emphasizing that the ruling party now enjoys overwhelming support. “Every other person who is not in APC is a minority. From all the wards in Plateau, everybody is in APC,” Yilwatda stated, drawing loud reactions from party supporters at the venue.

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Building on his remarks, the APC chairman extended a direct invitation to politicians and supporters still affiliated with opposition parties. He framed the invitation as a rare opportunity, urging them to reconsider their political future and align with what he described as a stable and inclusive platform.

Yilwatda appealed to opposition figures “for their own good,” saying he was offering what he termed a “last opportunity” to join the ruling party. He argued that the APC represents a political safe haven at a time when opposition parties are grappling with internal crises, dwindling support, and uncertain prospects ahead of future elections.

The APC leader further highlighted the party’s ongoing online registration exercise, encouraging defectors to take advantage of the open window. In a metaphor-laden warning, he claimed that other political parties were struggling to stay afloat, urging their members to “rescue themselves” by joining the APC before it was too late.

His comments come against the backdrop of increasing political realignments across Nigeria, as politicians reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. In several states, defections have continued to alter the balance of power, with the ruling party benefiting from the movement of influential figures from opposition camps.

Political analysts note that Governor Mutfwang’s defection could have far-reaching implications for Plateau State, potentially influencing legislative dynamics, party structures, and voter alignments. Supporters of the APC see the move as validation of the party’s growing appeal, while critics argue that such declarations risk undermining political plurality.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, statements like Yilwatda’s underscore the intensifying competition for political dominance. Whether the APC’s growing confidence will translate into sustained electoral success remains to be seen, but the wave of defections suggests that Nigeria’s political terrain is entering a decisive phase.