Plateau Political Crisis Deepens as Councillors Reject Governor's Party Move
The political landscape in Plateau State has been stirred by a strong rejection from the immediate past Councillors' Forum of Nigeria, Plateau State chapter, against Governor Caleb Mutfwang's alleged plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Press Conference Exposes Alleged Fake Support Group
During a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos, the forum's leadership made their position clear. Chairman Dabit John Dashe, accompanied by Secretary Choji Williams Musho, addressed what they described as a deceptive press statement from a "non-existent and faceless group" calling itself the Coalition of Concerned Former APC Councillors and Grassroots mobilisers (CFACGM).
The controversial group had publicly urged Governor Mutfwang to join the APC, a move that prompted the authentic councillors' forum to respond swiftly. Dashe did not mince words when he characterized the development as "a desperate attempt by the governor and his agents to smuggle him into the party through the back door."
Contradictions in Governor's Political Stance
The forum chairman highlighted what he called puzzling behavior from the governor, noting that Mutfwang had consistently maintained that there was no APC in Plateau State and had previously shown no intention of joining what he described as a party on the verge of collapse.
"The governor's recent desperation to join the APC is therefore puzzling," Dashe stated, emphasizing that the alleged supporting group does not represent the interests of either former or current councillors in Plateau State.
In a surprising turn, the forum commended Plateau citizens for what they called enduring the Mutfwang regime's maladministration, which they claimed has resulted in widespread suffering, homelessness, and job losses across the state.
Appeal to APC Leadership and Governor's Response
The councillors' forum made a direct appeal to the APC leadership hierarchy, including:
- President Bola Tinubu
- Party National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda
- State Chairman Rufus Bature
- State party leader Simon Bako Lalong
They urged these leaders to reject any attempt by Governor Mutfwang to join their party.
However, the governor's office has responded through Dr. Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs, who reaffirmed Governor Mutfwang's commitment to remain with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This contradiction between the governor's official position and the allegations from the councillors' forum adds another layer to the ongoing political drama in Plateau State.
The situation continues to develop as political stakeholders and citizens await further clarifications about the governor's actual political intentions and the authenticity of the groups involved in the controversy.
