Former Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon, has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united following the conclusion of the party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mwadkwon made the appeal while addressing journalists at his campaign office in Jos, shortly after emerging victorious in the APC primary election.
The former senate Minority Leader said the APC had provided him the platform to contest and emerge successful, noting that he secured over 38,000 votes while his closest opponent polled about 4,000 votes.
“As a member of the APC, the APC has been gracious enough to me by providing the platform for me to aspire,” he said.
He described the contest as a family affair and stressed that there should be no division among party members after the primaries.
“As winners, for us, there is no winner and no loser. It was an in-house struggle between brothers and sisters,” Mwadkwon stated.
He appealed to other aspirants who contested alongside him to put aside their grievances and work together for the success of the party in 2027.
“We are extending an olive branch to each and every one of them so that we come together as a family and work so that the party can have the support it desires to form government in 2027,” he added.
Mwadkwon also congratulated Governor Caleb Mutfwang on his victory in the APC primary, saying the governor’s performance showed that he enjoys widespread support across Plateau State.
The former lawmaker cautioned party supporters against mocking those who lost during the primaries, insisting that politics should not create hatred among members of the same political family.
“Nobody, for whatever reason, should begin to mock or make inflammatory statements concerning the primaries. It has come and gone,” he warned.
Speaking on leadership, Mwadkwon said humanity should remain the focus of governance, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“Our focus has been humanity. The human being is more important than any other consideration,” he declared.
On insecurity in Plateau North, the APC chieftain acknowledged that several communities had been displaced by attacks and killings, especially in Bassa, Riyom, and other parts of the zone.
He advocated for the establishment of state police, saying community policing would help tackle insecurity more effectively because local security personnel understand the language, terrain, and culture of their communities.
“For us to solve this problem, the National Assembly should pass the bill establishing state police as quickly as possible,” he said.
Mwadkwon further highlighted some of the projects he executed during his time in the Senate, including classroom construction, solar-powered streetlights, and other community development projects across Plateau North.
He also maintained that both direct and indirect primary elections have their strengths and weaknesses, but insisted that popularity and acceptance by the people remain more important than financial influence in politics.
