The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has been applauded as a listening and people-centred leader following his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mutfwang’s move was officially confirmed on Thursday night by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Reacting on Friday, the North Central APC Forum described the defection as historic and strategic, assuring the governor of full support from the party across the zone. The position was contained in a statement signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga.
According to the Forum, Mutfwang has also directed all his aides to defect with him to the APC, signalling what it described as a decisive and well-considered political realignment.
“We, the North Central APC Forum, are happy to announce the successful culmination of our agitation and campaign for Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to join the APC. We thank Governor Mutfwang for heeding our call, which was prompted by our commitment to the interests of Plateau State and the entire North Central,” the statement said.
The Forum disclosed that it had consistently campaigned for Mutfwang’s defection since April 2024, citing his performance in office and the need for a stable political platform to enable him deliver more developmental outcomes.
“Our campaign for Mutfwang to join the APC was informed by his good works and achievements in office, and because we believe he has the capacity to even do more if he is in a stable political platform such as the one provided by the APC,” the Forum stated.
It added that joining the APC would allow the Plateau governor to work more closely with President Bola Tinubu to deliver greater dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The Forum also highlighted the wider political significance of the move, noting that the North Central has now become the only geopolitical zone with APC governors in all six states.
“With this development, the North Central is now the only zone with six APC governors, as all six states in the region are now APC. This is a historic development which has actualised our vision of delivering the entire North Central to our great party,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its commitment to the party’s electoral fortunes, the Forum pledged to deliver six million votes from the North Central for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, up from its earlier target of four million votes.
“Our pledge to deliver six million votes for Mr President is on course, especially now that all the states in the zone are with APC. Mr President can rest assured concerning the votes of the North Central when it is time for his re-election in 2027,” it said.
The Forum also thanked President Tinubu for what it described as the leadership environment that made Mutfwang’s defection possible, recalling that it formally invited the Plateau governor to join the APC shortly after the Supreme Court affirmed his election in 2024.
It dismissed opposition to the defection from within Plateau State as selfish and narrow-minded, insisting that the move was in the best interest of the party, the state and the entire North Central region.
