The former Senate Minority Leader and APC Senate Candidate for Plateau North, Simon Mwadkwon, has called for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the party’s senatorial primaries, urging aggrieved aspirants and supporters to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mwadkwon made the appeal on Monday during a media engagement held at his campaign office located at Metropolitan Crescent, Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking on his emergence as the APC senatorial candidate for Plateau North, Mwadkwon described his victory as overwhelming, revealing that he secured over 38,000 votes while his closest rival polled about 4,000 votes.
According to him, the outcome reflected the confidence reposed in him by party members across the zone.
“As far as we are concerned, it was a victory for everybody that participated in the primaries. It was an in-house struggle among brothers and sisters, and now we must unite to face other political parties,” he said.
He extended an olive branch to other aspirants who contested alongside him, stressing that the APC remained one family and that no one should ridicule or insult those who lost during the primaries.
Mwadkwon also congratulated the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, whom he said emerged victorious in the APC governorship primary, noting that the result demonstrated his popularity across Plateau State.
Reflecting on his political journey, the APC candidate said his approach to leadership had always prioritized humanity over religious and ethnic considerations. He cited his political upbringing and experience as factors that shaped his inclusive leadership style.
He recalled how former House of Representatives member, Suleiman Kwande, withdrew a court case against him after the 2023 senatorial election despite differences in religion and ethnicity, describing the gesture as an example of politics without division.
On governance and constituency projects, Mwadkwon highlighted several interventions he executed during his time in the Senate, particularly within Jos North. He listed the construction of classrooms in Angwan Rimi, Angwan Rogo, Zaria Road, GSS Kabong, and NDEA Primary School in Tudun Wada, alongside the installation of solar-powered streetlights in communities, churches, and mosques.
The senator said the projects earned him the nickname “Mr. Project” among supporters who witnessed the commissioning exercises.
Addressing the persistent insecurity affecting Plateau North, Mwadkwon acknowledged that several communities across Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and other parts of the zone had suffered displacement due to recurring attacks.
He described the killings and displacements as a national concern requiring urgent political will and strategic reforms.
According to him, Nigeria already has sufficient laws capable of addressing insecurity, but what is lacking is effective implementation, adequate security personnel and commitment from authorities.
Mwadkwon strongly advocated for the establishment of state police, arguing that community-based policing would significantly reduce insecurity across the country.
He explained that officers deployed from distant states often struggle with language, culture and terrain, making intelligence gathering and rapid response difficult.
“For us to solve this problem, the National Assembly should as quickly as possible pass the bill establishing state police. The duty of every government is the protection of lives and property,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further alleged that some elements within the security agencies compromise operations, warning that unpatriotic officers must be identified and sanctioned to strengthen the fight against insecurity.
On the debate between direct and indirect primaries, Mwadkwon said both systems had advantages and challenges. While acknowledging criticisms that indirect primaries favour moneybags, he insisted popularity and acceptance among the people ultimately determine electoral victories.
He recounted several past contests where he defeated opponents despite spending significantly less money during delegate-based primaries, maintaining that grassroots support remained the deciding factor in elections.
Mwadkwon concluded by thanking party supporters, journalists and constituents for their support, while pledging to continue engaging the people ahead of the 2027 elections.
