North Central APC Wooing Muftwang to Defect to Ruling Party

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has revealed that its efforts to convince Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC have the full backing of the party’s national leadership.

This comes as a response to opposition from some APC leaders in Plateau State, who have expressed concerns that Mutfwang’s defection could hand him control of the party’s structure and the 2027 governorship ticket.

The Forum, led by Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, has been actively courting Governor Mutfwang, sparking tensions within the party. Some APC leaders in Plateau State have condemned the move, labeling it as anti-party and calling for sanctions against Zazzaga. Notably, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who was the APC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, has questioned Zazzaga’s loyalty and commitment to the party.

However, in a statement released on Sunday, Zazzaga emphasized that the Forum’s outreach to Governor Mutfwang has the blessing of the APC’s national leadership.

“Our campaign is based on a directive from above. Zazzaga criticized those opposing the move, labeling them as the true perpetrators of anti-party activities. He warned them to ‘tread with caution,’ asserting that efforts to welcome Mutfwang are intended to strengthen the party, not divide it,” the statement read.

The Forum cited recent defections by Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) to the APC, arguing that Plateau should not be left behind.

“Our goal is for the entire North-Central region to be under APC leadership. Plateau is currently the only state in the zone not under APC, and that’s why we’re working to bring the governor on board,” the Forum stated.

The Forum also highlighted Governor Mutfwang’s cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu, noting that he spent the recent Sallah festivities with the president in Lagos.

“Governor Mutfwang is a progressive. We believe all well-meaning APC members in Plateau and the North-Central should support this cause,” the statement said.

The Forum urged the Plateau APC Executive Committee to cooperate with the state government, suggesting that alignment would help sustain the party’s influence in the state. They also dismissed calls for the suspension of Chairman Zazzaga as counterproductive.

“Inviting the governor to join the APC is not anti-party activity. On the contrary, it is a strategic move that should be applauded. Those resisting this initiative are the real threat to party unity,” the Forum concluded.

The development is seen as a significant boost to the Forum’s efforts to lure Governor Mutfwang to the APC, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.