A pro-Tinubu support group, Renewed Hope Advocates of Nigeria (RHAN), has publicly criticised the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Yilwatda Nentawe, accusing him of putting personal grudges ahead of party interests and potentially jeopardizing President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election prospects.
In a statement signed by RHAN’s National Coordinator, Comrade Prince Miaphen, the group expressed “deep concern” over alleged actions by Professor Nentawe to block Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, from defecting to the APC—a move they argue could weaken the party’s chances in the North Central region.
Miaphen recalled that during a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Jos, and chaired by Professor Nentawe, a motion was allegedly passed to bar Governor Mutfwang from joining the party. RHAN described the move as “reckless, self-serving, and politically suicidal.”
“The same meeting that enthusiastically endorsed President Tinubu’s second term paradoxically voted to block a sitting governor who could be one of his strongest assets in the North Central,” Miaphen stated.
RHAN warned that the decision demonstrates a “growing disconnect” between the Plateau APC leadership and President Tinubu’s broader national vision of inclusion and political bridge-building. Miaphen pointed to successful defections of opposition governors in Cross River, Ebonyi, Zamfara, and Enugu, saying they were instrumental to the party’s growing national appeal.
“Mr. President, how can the APC celebrate defections elsewhere and yet turn hostile to a governor in Plateau—a state with over 2.5 million registered voters crucial to the 2027 political equation?” he asked.
RHAN also questioned the political judgment of Professor Nentawe, whom they accuse of acting out of “personal bitterness” following his 2023 electoral defeat to Governor Mutfwang. The group speculated that the APC chairman may be attempting to preserve the 2027 governorship ticket for himself.
“There’s widespread belief on the Plateau that Professor Nentawe is still nursing resentment over his loss and is positioning for another shot at the governorship,” Miaphen alleged. “If true, this explains his resistance to welcoming Governor Mutfwang into the APC.”
The group called on President Tinubu to urgently intervene and reign in the Plateau APC leadership to prevent internal disunity from undermining national efforts ahead of 2027.
“We urge Mr. President to act swiftly. Plateau is too strategic to be lost to personal vendettas,” Miaphen emphasized. “The door of the APC must remain open to all well-meaning Plateau citizens, including Governor Mutfwang, if we are truly committed to securing and strengthening the party’s 2027 re-election bid.”
RHAN concluded by reminding the party of the 2023 election outcome in Plateau, where the APC lost despite former Governor Simon Lalong serving as Director-General of Tinubu’s campaign. According to the group, the lesson is clear: party unity and strategic alliances are non-negotiable.
