APC Leaders in Plateau State Reject Rumors of Governor Mutfwang Joining the Party
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have firmly rejected any speculation or potential move by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join their party from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The governor, a prominent figure in the PDP, has consistently denied rumors of defecting to the APC, reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP until the next general election.
Despite this, the recent defections of two other PDP governors—Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri—to the APC have raised questions about whether Mutfwang and other PDP governors in the North might follow suit. Reports also suggest that Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas may soon join them, further intensifying these speculations.
At an APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Crest Hotel in Jos on Friday, party executives and members resolved not to accept any move by Governor Mutfwang to join the APC. This decision mirrored a similar stance taken in Osun State, where the party reportedly blocked Governor Ademola Adeleke from joining after months of consultations.
The meeting was attended by several high-profile figures, including APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, former Governor and party leader in the state Senator Simon Bako Lalong, former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, former Governor Joshua Dariye, former Minister Dame Pauline Tallen, Managing Director/CEO of the North Central Development Commission, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, serving and former lawmakers, and hundreds of party faithful.
During the meeting, Yilwatda called on Barrister Festus Fuanter, a former Deputy National Secretary of the APC, to move a motion regarding the issue. Fuanter asked members if they would accept Mutfwang’s entry into the APC, and the proposal was unanimously rejected through a voice vote.
Fuanter later emphasized that the APC does not want anyone coming to their party. He stated, “You do your thing, and we’ll do ours. Having put that behind us, I want the media to make it very clear that we are unanimous in our resolve to win the 2027 elections decisively. We don’t need support from any other party.”
Mutfwang Camp Denies Any Plans to Join APC
However, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Mutfwang, Gyang Bere, denied any plan by the governor to join the APC. He stressed that Mutfwang has the capacity to win the 2027 election without switching parties.
In a statement, Bere said, “To whom did the governor make an attempt to join them? Who among the APC members did Mutfwang approach to join the party? As far as I’m concerned, I learned that they made a comment that Mutfwang is sitting on a stolen mandate. During the 2023 election, how many members of the House of Assembly did the APC have? How many members of the National Assembly do they have?”
Bere added, “As far as we are concerned, the people of Plateau State are with Governor Mutfwang. They believe in him because he has restored confidence and governance in the state. There’s no local government or senatorial zone in Plateau where the governor’s footprints are not seen.”
He also highlighted that the governor’s political movement is determined by God and the people of Plateau State. “We don’t want to join issues with anybody. The governor knows what he’s doing and remains with the people of Plateau. He holds them in high esteem and is very assured of victory in 2027.”
The PDP in Plateau State also denied any plan by Governor Mutfwang to defect, calling the claim baseless. The party’s Southern Zonal Chairman, Hon. Simon Domle, stated, “Governor Mutfwang has never attempted and will never attempt to decamp to the APC because there’s nothing to gain there. Mutfwang doesn’t need to join the APC to win elections.”
Northern Christians Decide to Support Tinubu in 2027
Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting, Nentawe disclosed that Christian communities in northern Nigeria have resolved to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. He noted that northern Christians now believe the president has addressed their fears of marginalization, despite initial concerns over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Nentawe said, “During President Tinubu’s visit to Plateau, he met with Christian leaders. They told the president that although they initially feared marginalisation because of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, he has proved them wrong. They said they prefer to stand with him this time around.”
He added that Plateau and other states have no reason to reject President Tinubu, given his performance over the past two years. “I am not ashamed to go on radio, TV, or any other media platform to talk about President Tinubu because he has done well for this country. We have reasons to support him for a second term.”
APC Endorses Tinubu for Second Term
Subsequently, the APC in Plateau State unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. This followed a similar gesture from the party leaders in Kogi and Kaduna states at the weekend.
The endorsement was conducted by Fuanter who moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement as the sole candidate for 2027, seconded by State APC Woman Leader Hon. Alice Dimlong. The motion received overwhelming support.
Party leader, Senator Simon Bako Lalong welcomed the decision, saying the president deserves another term for his commitment to Nigerians and his inclusion of Plateau in national governance. He noted that Tinubu’s appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshewe as APC National Chairman was “a great blessing to Plateau,” symbolizing access to development and opportunities for the people.
Lalong said Plateau APC is now united, with all factions reconciled and members who earlier left the party returning. He added that new members from other political parties, including those in the current state government, have joined the APC.
Shettima to Receive Defectors on October 30
The APC National Chairman also announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima will visit Plateau State on October 30 to formally receive defectors from other political parties into the APC. Nentawe said, “I have spoken with the vice president and other APC governors. They have all agreed to attend the reception of the defectors. All preparations for the event have been completed.”
He further disclosed that more prominent figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the PDP across the country would soon defect to the APC. “Our party is healthy, no viral attack. We are receiving members from the ADC and PDP. More senators and governors are coming.”
Nentawe concluded, “If you leave the APC, you are deceiving yourself. Don’t be deceived to leave the party. Think twice. All who decamp to the APC will enjoy equal opportunities with old members. They will be given positions, and no one will be left behind. We have the capacity to win elections.”
