The city of Jos came alive on Saturday as President Bola Tinubu arrived for the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, the late mother of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.
The funeral service, held at the COCIN Headquarters Church in Jos, Plateau State, turned into a massive political gathering, drawing supporters from across party lines.
Thousands of residents lined the streets, waving banners and wearing party T-shirts and caps to welcome the President. Women groups, youth organizations, and party faithful from both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were seen celebrating side by side.
“Today is about unity and respect, not politics. We are here to honor Mama Lydia and welcome our President,” said one APC supporter who joined the street procession.
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The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, had earlier announced traffic diversions in Jos and Bukuru to allow smooth movement of the presidential convoy.
“The temporary restrictions are for safety and to ease the President’s passage,” Ramnap explained in a statement.
Security was tight around the church, with attendees required to show special entry passes distributed earlier. Some pastors and guests who lacked passes were reportedly turned back by security operatives.
At the Jos International Airport in Heipang, a large crowd gathered to welcome President Tinubu, who arrived from Lagos for the ceremony.
Despite the solemn occasion, the atmosphere in Jos was filled with excitement, drumming, and singing as political supporters turned the funeral into a grand show of solidarity for the APC leader and his family.