Governor Mutfwang defeats Rtd General Yilchini with wider votes
Yakubu Busari
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau is now the official All Progressives Congress APC Governorship flagbearer in Plateau State having won with a wide margin of 233,335 votes crushing his rival, Rtd General Yilchini Bida Jan , who scored just 3,070 votes.
This followed the presentation of the official scores recorded from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state by the returning officers, reflecting the governor’s overwhelming dominance with massive participation by the party members across the state.
Declaring the results, the Returning Officer of the APC Governorship primary election committee, Mr. Fidelis Nyim, revealed that 240,832 party members were registered for the exercise, while 236,405 votes were cast, giving a turnout of 98.16 percent.
Making the declaration yesterday at the APC State Secretariate, Kalwa House, along Bukuru express road, Jos, Mr. Fidelis affirmed that, “Therefore, Caleb Mutfwang, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitutional guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election and returned elected”.
On the concluded House of Assembly primary election, Mr. Fidelis Nmyim cleared the air stating that, the House of Assembly primaries were conducted at the ward level, after which results were collected and announced in the various constituencies in line with legal provisions.
The Chairman expantiated cautioning that re-announcing them at the state level could render the polls illegal, citing Supreme Court decisions on electoral procedures.
According to him, “We believe that what was conducted was credible, free and fair election. It will amount to injustice to the party family in Plateau State, if we act outside the provisions of the law”.
Commenting on the forthcoming 2027 general elections, he appealed to all candidates who emerged victorious in the primaries to work towards healing division within the party and to unite members in order to achieve success in the polls ahead of them.
The Chairman, Returning Officer of the APC Governorship primary election committee, reiterated that, “The victory is not an entitlement but is for the entire APC family. Those who won should bring people together and work for total victory in 2027”.
In his remarks, Hon. Chief Rufus Bature, APC State Chairman, expressed deep appreciation to party faithful for turning out in masse to participate in the primary election across the state.
While commending security operatives, electoral officicials and party stakeholders for standing by to ensure peaceful and orderly exercise, the APC Chairman also encouraged all registered APC members to remain united and mobilize support for the party’s presidential candidate and other flagbearers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Mutfwang’s 233,335 votes represent 98.7 per cent of the total votes cast, giving him a winning margin of 230,265 votes over Yilchini’s 1.30 per cent share.
With this sweeping performance and landslide victory, the Governor won in every local government area based on the results released.
