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The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has expressed gratitude to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for responding to its call to switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Governor Mutfwang’s defection was officially announced on Thursday evening by the APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th national caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

In a statement released on Friday by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the North-Central APC Forum, which has been advocating for Mutfwang to join the APC since April 2024, welcomed the Plateau governor to the party and assured him of their full support.

The Forum noted that Mutfwang has directed all his aides to accompany him to the APC.

Describing the governor’s defection as “historic” and “strategic,” the Forum highlighted that the North-Central region is now the only area in the nation with six APC governors.

“We, the North-Central APC Forum, are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of our efforts and campaign for Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to join the APC. We thank Governor Mutfwang for responding to our call, driven by our commitment to the welfare of Plateau State and the entire North-Central region.

“Our advocacy for Mutfwang to join the APC was based on his commendable achievements in office, as we believe he can accomplish even more on a stable political platform like that of the APC. We also believe that joining the APC will enable Governor Mutfwang to collaborate effectively with President Bola Tinubu to deliver the benefits of democracy to the people of Plateau State.

“With this development, the North-Central is now the only region with six APC governors, confirming our vision of uniting the entire North-Central under our great party.

“We are confident that this strategic decision by Governor Mutfwang will benefit the entire North-Central region, not just the residents of Plateau State. We assure Governor Mutfwang of our unwavering support and urge all stakeholders to unite behind him as he works to advance the party,” the statement noted.

The APC Forum reiterated its commitment to deliver six million votes from the North-Central for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Initially, the Forum pledged four million votes towards the President’s re-election, but in April 2025, this figure was increased to six million votes, alongside a goal to secure all elective positions in the region for the 2027 elections “to demonstrate that, indeed, the North-Central is for the APC.”

“Our commitment to deliver six million votes for Mr. President remains on track, especially now that all states in the region are aligned with the APC. Mr. President can be assured of the North-Central votes when the time comes for his re-election in 2027,” the statement affirmed.

In a similar vein, the Forum expressed gratitude to Tinubu for providing the leadership that facilitated Mutfwang’s transition to the APC.

It is worth noting that the North-Central APC Forum had sent a formal invitation to Mutfwang in April 2024, shortly after the Supreme Court confirmed his election as governor of Plateau State.

The APC Forum also notified the party’s national secretariat of its decision to invite Mutfwang to join the party. As part of their efforts to recruit Mutfwang into the APC, the North-Central APC Forum held a meeting in Abuja in March 2024 with party leaders and stakeholders from Plateau State to strategize on the recruitment of Mutfwang from the PDP.

In December 2024, rumors circulated that Mutfwang had defected to the APC, following the distribution of his photograph alongside those of APC governors during the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

However, Mutfwang denied the rumors and reaffirmed his allegiance to the PDP in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

Nevertheless, the North-Central APC Forum persistently urged the governor to join the APC and assume leadership within the party in Plateau State. With the PDP facing ongoing crises, the Forum intensified its campaign to recruit Mutfwang, advising him to join the party to avoid "sinking with the PDP."

Some leaders within the Plateau State APC opposed Mutfwang’s defection, endorsing a motion during a stakeholders meeting in Jos on October 17, 2025, which opposed his potential switch to the APC.

“I propose a motion against accepting Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang into the APC,” Fuanter stated. The motion received unanimous support from the stakeholders.

In response to the Plateau APC leaders' stance, the North-Central APC Forum asserted that those opposing Mutfwang’s defection were acting out of self-interest rather than the party's best interests.

Following protests and rallies against Mutfwang’s defection, organized by some APC members, including the women’s chapter in Jos, the Forum accused the party's national chairman, Yilwatda, of attempting to obstruct the Plateau governor's transition to the party, labeling his actions as undemocratic.

Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau during the 2023 election but lost to Mutfwang, who was then with the APC. The North-Central APC Forum suggested that Yilwatda’s opposition to Mutfwang’s defection was influenced by his ambition to run for governor again in 2027.

The North-Central APC Forum declared that the national chairman has no authority over Mutfwang’s defection and cannot prevent the Plateau governor from joining whenever he decides to do so. The Forum noted that only the APC executives at the governor’s ward in Mangu have the power to admit him into the party. They also encouraged the Mangu Ward executives to openly invite Mutfwang to join the APC.

In conclusion, the North

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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