After months of speculations, the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that has significantly reshaped the political landscape in not only Plateau state but the North-Central region entirely.
The defection of the governor was announced by the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday.
With this development, all the states in the Middle Belt are now under the control of the APC.
Speaking to party leaders, Yilwatda described Mutfwang’s decision to join the APC as a strategic gain for the ruling party, particularly in consolidating its influence in the North-Central geopolitical zone.
“With the defection of Governor Mutfwang, the entire North-Central region is now governed by the APC,” Yilwatda said.
He further highlighted the significance of the development for the party’s national outlook and electoral prospects.
The governor himself, while briefing political appointees and stakeholders at the Government House in Jos on Thursday, revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally invited him to decamp from the PDP and join the ruling APC.
Mutfwang stated that after months of consultations and personal introspection, he decided to make the move in the interest of Plateau State.
He explained that he did not defect for personal gain but as a mark of respect to President Tinubu, who has shown special interest in Plateau State and its challenges.
The governor also noted that although the president had extended the invitation to him on several occasions, he had previously declined.
“I pay my respects to President Tinubu for honouring our earlier decisions not to move to the APC and still maintaining a cordial relationship with us despite that,” he said.
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