Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau state governor has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection was announced by Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the APC, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre on Thursday in Abuja.
Yilwatda, who hails from Plateau, disclosed that Mutfwang’s decision to join the APC further strengthens the party’s hold on the North-Central geopolitical zone.
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“With the defection of Governor Mutfwang, the entire North-Central region is now governed by the APC,” the APC chairman said.
The development marks a major political shift in Plateau State and is expected to have significant implications for party alignments ahead of future elections.
For over a year, there had been widespread rumours within political circles in Plateau State and beyond that Governor Mutfwang was considering a possible defection to the APC. These speculations were fueled by his growing engagement with key figures in the ruling party and his increasing alignment with federal initiatives.
Earlier reports by BusinessDay had also pointed to several actions and political signals by the governor which suggested an eventual move to the APC. The reports noted that his posture and strategic decisions appeared consistent with preparations for a political realignment, long before the formal announcement of his defection.
The governor was elected under the PDP in the 2023 general elections and becomes the latest high-profile politician to dump the main opposition party.
Reacting to the development in a telephone chat with BusinessDay on Thursday night, John Akans, Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations, said the decision to decamp was not a unilateral move by Governor Mutfwang but the outcome of extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the state.
He explained that party leaders, political allies, and grassroots actors were all carried along before the final decision was reached.
Akans noted that the defection reflects the collective will of stakeholders who believe the move will better position Plateau State to attract federal presence, deepen political inclusion, and accelerate development.
According to him, the governor remains committed to the mandate given to him by the people, irrespective of party platform.
He further described the defection as a “movement” rather than a mere political switch, stressing that it represents a realignment aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring Plateau State is not left out of national political calculations.
Akans assured residents that the governor’s focus remains on peace, unity, and delivering good governance to the people of the state.
