The political landscape in Plateau State has been shaken by internal conflicts within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over Governor Caleb Mutfwang's potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Protests Erupt Against Governor's Defection
During a political event in Jos on Saturday, November 15, 2025, some APC members staged a protest against Governor Mutfwang joining their party. The protesters carried placards with clear messages stating that the Plateau governor was not welcome in the APC.
The event was organized to receive politicians who had recently defected to the APC, but it turned controversial when party members expressed their opposition to the governor's potential move.
North-Central APC Forum Condemns Protest
In a strong reaction, the North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has condemned the protests, describing them as undemocratic. The Forum released a statement on Sunday through its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, who also served as a member of the APC campaign council in the 2023 election.
The Forum insisted that preventing anyone, including a sitting governor, from joining a political party of their choice violates democratic principles and constitutional rights.
According to the statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the Forum has been actively campaigning to convince Governor Mutfwang to leave the PDP for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political Power Play Ahead of 2027 Elections
The conflict reveals deeper political calculations as the 2027 elections approach. The North-Central APC Forum believes that Governor Mutfwang's defection would significantly benefit the party.
The Forum argued that those opposing the governor's move are motivated by selfish political ambitions rather than the party's interest. They specifically noted that these opponents want to contest elections in 2027 but lack the capacity to defeat Mutfwang in any election, regardless of which party he represents.
This is not the first time Plateau APC leaders have expressed opposition to Mutfwang joining their party. In October 2025, during a stakeholders meeting in Jos on October 17, party leaders unanimously endorsed a motion moved by former Deputy National Secretary Barrister Festus Fuanter against accepting the governor into the APC.
Appeal to National Leadership
The North-Central APC Forum has taken its campaign to the national level, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene. They have urged the President to call the Plateau chapter leaders to order for working against the governor's defection.
The Forum also appealed to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum to support Mutfwang's potential move to join the progressive governors' circle.
In a significant threat, the Forum issued an ultimatum to the opposing leaders, warning that they would report them directly to President Tinubu if they don't cease their actions. They plan to name these individuals as working against the progress of both the APC and the President in Plateau State.
The Forum also called on former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Lalong, as the party leader in the state, to intervene and facilitate Mutfwang's entry into the APC.
Electoral Implications for 2027
The North-Central APC Forum connected Mutfwang's potential defection to President Tinubu's re-election prospects in 2027. They stated that bringing the Plateau governor into the APC aligns with their pledge to deliver six million votes to President Tinubu in the next presidential election.
The Forum accused the opposing leaders of being political amateurs who don't understand proper political strategy. They emphasized that these individuals failed to deliver their polling units during the last election but are now positioning themselves for federal appointments in Tinubu's administration.
Specifically mentioned was the APC's governorship running mate in the 2023 election, who lost both his polling unit and ward to the PDP but is now among those leading the opposition against Mutfwang joining the party.
The political drama continues to unfold as both sides dig in their positions, with the 2027 elections serving as the backdrop for this significant power struggle within Plateau State's political arena.
