Mutfwang, on Friday, formally defected to the APC, describing the move as a step toward unifying the state’s fractured political landscape and strengthening Plateau’s voice at the national level.
Speaking at a packed ceremony at the Government House in Jos which was attended by federal and state lawmakers, party leaders, and top government officials, Mutfwang said his decision followed “prayer, consultation, and deep reflection.”
“I have decided to accept the membership of the APC,” he declared to loud applause.
The Governor framed his defection as part of a broader mission to heal longstanding political divisions in the State.
“One of the things I have dreamt about is that Plateau should be united,” he said.
“I don’t care what side we belong to… if indeed you love Plateau, you are my brother.”
Mutfwang reflected on years of political acrimony under successive administrations, noting that divisions persisted even after he assumed office.
He said he had prayed for reconciliation with former Governor Simon Lalong, adding humorously that he had prayed; “May God cause Governor Lalong to fall into my hands. And today, I have captured you.”
The Governor highlighted the symbolic significance of sitting alongside former political opponents.
“Who would have thought that Hon. Yusuf Gagdi and I would be sitting on the same bench?” he asked. “God is a miracle worker.”
He stressed that members of his former party, the PDP, remain his, “friends and brothers,” insisting that his defection was not an act of hostility.
Mutfwang reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, saying he had pledged support for the administration since June 2023.
“I am committed to his presidency and committed to his re‑election,” he said.
“Things may not have met everybody’s expectations, but I know his determination to fix the challenges of Nigeria.”
He added that joining the APC would ensure his counsel was taken, “as one from the inside,” giving Plateau a stronger presence in national conversations.
The Governor expressed optimism about future elections in the state. “I look forward to one of the most peaceful elections in the history of Plateau State in 2027,” he said.
He predicted that the State could deliver one million votes for Tinubu.
APC State Chairman, and Rufus Bature described the Governor’s entry into the party as a historic moment, stressing that “For everything there is a time — and the time is now.”
Bature then presented Mutfwang with his APC membership card, officially completing the defection process.
“Having fulfilled all the requirements of the party constitution, we accept you as a full member of the APC,” he announced.
Mutfwang defected to the APC alongside his deputy Josephine Piyol, members of the State Executive Council as well as some appointees and Chairmen of the 17 local government councils in the State.
Reacting to the Governor’s defection, the PDP, Plateau State Chapter criticised Mutfwang for defecting to the APC, describing the move as a “betrayal of public mandate” and an act of political opportunism.
The State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Choji Felix Dalyop, told journalists at the party secretariat in Jos that the party confirmed receiving the Governor’s resignation letter through the chairman of its Ampang West Ward in Mangu Local Government Area, stressing that the decision came without prior consultation and amounted to abandoning the platform that brought him to power.
According to Dalyop, Mutfwang’s defection, “is a slap in the face to the people of Plateau State, who trusted him against all odds,” adding that the governor had chosen “personal ambition over the collective welfare of the Plateau people.”
The party insisted that there were no constitutional grounds for the Governor to defect without first vacating his seat, arguing that the action undermined democratic norms and the will of the electorate.
“The defection is seen as an act of political opportunism that subverts the total will of the electorates,” the PDP said, warning that the move would not go unchallenged.
The party also cautioned the APC in Plateau State against receiving the Governor “with open arms,” saying the opposition party would be complicit in what it described as a betrayal of the people.
Despite the development, the PDP urged its members and supporters to remain calm and steadfast, assuring them that the party remains united and prepared for upcoming elections. It reaffirmed its commitment to good governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Plateau State.
“The journey towards building a robust, resilient democracy on the Plateau has just started under this circumstance,” the statement added.
Follow us on:
