Senate President Godswill Akpabio says he becomes emotional and often cries whenever reports emerge that someone has been killed in Plateau state.
Akpabio made the remark on Saturday at Jos Polo Field, Plateau state, during an event organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to welcome new defectors into the party.
The gathering drew several top APC leaders from the north-central region, including Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman; Simon Lalong, senator and former governor of Plateau; Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives; and governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa and Hyacinth Alia of Benue.
The senate president lamented the persistent loss of lives in Plateau due to insecurity, assuring that President Bola Tinubu is committed to restoring peace to the state.
“Too many lives have been lost. Too many homes destroyed. Plateau deserves peace, and anyone who wants to govern this state must be committed to peace,” Akpabio was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Anietie Ekong, his media aide.
“I cry whenever anybody is killed in the Plateau. The state is looking for peace, and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau state.”
Akpabio praised the new defectors for joining the ruling party, expressing confidence that Plateau will be firmly delivered to the APC and Tinubu in 2027.
“Today we have received political caterpillars, including several governorship candidates in the last election,” he said.
He also commended President Tinubu for appointing Prof. Nentawe as APC National Chairman, saying he has already strengthened the party’s influence in Plateau.
Among the notable defectors were Istifanus Gyang, former Plateau North senator; Latep Dabang, PDP campaign director-general for the 2023 elections; Patrick Dakum, Labour Party governorship candidate; and Alfred Dabwam, former NNPP governorship candidate.
Plateau remains one of the states most affected by insecurity in the north-central region, with recurring violent attacks causing deaths and widespread displacement.