Adorned in a white cap and babanriga (big robe) that had President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s traditional design emblazoned on them, Plateau Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang expectedly joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move that has sparked anger, bitterness, joy, and re-alignment.
An insider noted that one of his most prominent backers, former Governor Jonah Jang, has maintained a studied silence, while his core supporters who lost their seats in the National and State Assemblies feel betrayed and left in the lurch. “They fear that if they moved with him, they would not win in the primaries of APC since they would become joiners, without the advantage of incumbency,” he said.
“Baba Jang (Jonah Jang) is a worry because he didn’t move; and any rhetoric won’t cut it for a large section of State indigenes who thought they had freed themselves from their tormentors and Mutfwang dragged them back to the same tormentors.
“He did it for his political survival and a second term that now dangerously hangs in the balance, but he had to leave the PDP (People Democratic Party). The opposition party was a terrible pain in the neck and he could lose his return ticket if a faction he did not belong to was recognised. He just had to leave. But to APC? That is the quarrel. However, that is the party that can bring him back. It is survival in this game, though another party platform could have done it the way the PDP did it in 2023. That is the quarrel of the people,” the indider added.
He discountenanced the permutation that he opted for the APC so as to become the replacement candidate for the sitting Voce President, Senator Kashim Shettima, in 2027 for a President who knows the Muslim North is planning to ditch him. “True, he now needs the Christian North for votes in 2027 and Mutfwang is the most prominent and credible of the lot, but I don’t think this is the play,” he said.
He added that there was no truth to suggestions that APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, consented to the deal so he could re-contest the governorship seat he lost to Mutfwang in 2023. “In politics anything is possible and I may not have an insight to all the deals,” he confessed.
Anyway, Mutfwang formally defected to APC after completing his online registration and receiving his official membership card. He was presented with APC membership card number APC 311101000001 on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Victoria Gowon Hall, Government House, Rayfield. He described the decision to join the APC as divinely inspired and taken in the overall interest of Plateau State.
Addressing an enthusiastic gathering of party supporters, the Governor said his defection followed intense prayers, extensive consultations, and strict adherence to the constitutional provisions of the party. He noted that he has fully embraced the APC as a vehicle for promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development across Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang commended those who stood by him during his political journey, praising their resilience, sacrifice, and commitment to his emergence as Governor. He expressed appreciation for his former colleagues in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasising that his decision to leave the party was not borne out of hostility, but a broader desire to advance the collective development of the state.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, the Governor described the process as one of the most fiercely contested in Plateau’s history, marked by intense political rivalry and prolonged legal battles that extended to the Supreme Court. He attributed his eventual victory solely to divine intervention.
He called on political leaders across party lines to work together under God to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027, expressing confidence that Plateau State would overwhelmingly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed his readiness to work closely with the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, party officials, elders, stakeholders, and the people of Plateau State to fast-track development. He described his new political journey as one driven by faith, unity, and commitment to the greater good.
Emphasising reconciliation and cohesion, the Governor stated that his administration has consistently pursued unity across Plateau State. He declared that the APC has now become a “party of the Plateau people,” stressing that the state’s progress must rise above individual or partisan interests.
“We have been divided for too long—from the era of Governor Joshua Dariye, Senator Jonah David Jang, Senator Simon Lalong, to my time. It is time to replace bitterness with peace, hatred with love, and division with unity so Plateau can truly be great,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging existing challenges in security and the economy, but noting that the President is making deliberate efforts to improve living standards and entrench progressive governance.
Presenting the membership card, the Plateau State APC Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature, confirmed that the Governor had met all membership requirements and is entitled to the full rights and privileges of the party. The APC Chairman of Ampang West Ward, Hon. Pius Shehu Dakop, alongside the Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Ladan Garkawa, also confirmed that Governor Mutfwang had formally resigned from the PDP and completed his registration at ward and local government levels.
The event attracted high-profile dignitaries, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro; former Plateau State Governors Chief Joshua Dariye and Senator Simon Lalong; Senator representing Plateau Central, Senator Diket Plang; members of the National Assembly; and a large crowd of APC supporters.
Following the ceremony, Governor Mutfwang held a strategic meeting with members of the APC State Executive Committee, elders, and key stakeholders at the party secretariat to familiarise himself with the party’s structure and operations.
“We have come to add value, not subtract. We have come not to create acrimony, but to ease tension,” the Governor said, adding that President Tinubu had invited him to join the APC as far back as July, stressing that the move was not motivated by personal ambition.
He pledged to work with fellow North-Central governors to mobilise support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections and urged political actors to exercise restraint and responsibility, particularly on social media.
Speaking at the event, Senator Simon Lalong described the Governor’s defection as being in the best interest of Plateau State and formally declared him the leader of the APC in the state, in line with the party’s constitution.
Former Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye welcomed Governor Mutfwang into the APC, describing the development as a “dream fulfilled,” while urging youths to use social media responsibly and local government leaders to focus on grassroots development.
The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Daniel Naanlong, described the defection as a historic milestone that positions Plateau State to fully harness its potential and enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Senator Diket Plang and Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, pledged their full legislative support to the Governor and called for unity among the people of Plateau State.
Earlier, APC State Chairman Hon. Rufus Bature and Chairman of the APC Elders Advisory Council, Ambassador Danladi Wuyep, assured the Governor of the party’s unwavering support, cooperation, and guidance.
The day’s activities concluded with a unity luncheon hosted by Governor Mutfwang for party leaders and stakeholders at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Rayfield.
