Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Jos, Nigeria — In a political development set to reshape party dynamics in Plateau State and reverberate across Nigeria’s national landscape, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The transition, which has triggered intense reaction from political stakeholders, was publicly sealed at a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos on Friday, January 2, 2026. Mutfwang was presented with his APC membership card during the event, marking the culmination of weeks of speculation surrounding his political future and the future of party control in the North‑Central region.
Governor Mutfwang, who initially ascended to power on the PDP platform and secured his governorship in the tightly contested 2023 election, tendered his resignation from the opposition party in a letter dated 29 December 2025. The letter was addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Ampang West Ward in Mangu Local Government Area and was formally acknowledged by ward leadership on 30 December 2025. In the letter, Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him a platform to serve and highlighted his desire for “purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and improved service delivery” as motivating factors for seeking a new political platform aligned with the federal government’s policies and priorities.
At the ceremonial induction into the APC, Mutfwang emphasised his commitment to inclusive governance and urged residents to embrace unity amidst change. He portrayed his defection as a strategic step to enhance collaboration with the federal government and accelerate development across Plateau State. APC leaders, including state chairman Rufus Bature, welcomed him with open arms and described his decision as a boost to the party’s strength in the region. Bature highlighted that Mutfwang’s entry was expected to consolidate APC’s influence and foster closer cooperation across all levels of government.
The national leadership of the APC also weighed in on the political shift. Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, hailed Mutfwang’s defection as driven by a “higher calling” and a shared vision for peace, inclusive development, and prosperity. Yilwatda’s remarks underscored the ruling party’s strategy to broaden its tent and strengthen its national reach ahead of the 2027 general elections. His endorsement reflected APC’s broader narrative of unity and progressive governance, as the party seeks to present a united front with key figures from across Nigeria’s political spectrum.
For Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South and a former governor of the state, Mutfwang’s defection marked a pivotal reshaping of party leadership structures within the state. Lalong announced that his tenure as APC leader in Plateau State had effectively come to an end with the governor’s entry into the party, citing party constitutional provisions that designate an elected governor as the default leader of the state chapter. Addressing party members at the state secretariat in Jos, Lalong said he would no longer make decisions on behalf of the party without a mandate from the new leader, underscoring the symbolic and operational implications of the defection for APC’s internal hierarchy.
The PDP’s response to the defection was swift and critical. The party’s Plateau State chapter condemned Mutfwang’s defection as a “betrayal of public mandate,” asserting that the governor had abandoned the platform on which he was elected without appropriate consultation with his constituents or party faithful. PDP officials described the move as political opportunism that undermines democratic norms and challenged APC to reconsider its reception of Mutfwang, warning that the consequences of the defection could have lasting effects on the region’s political equilibrium.
Analysts and observers note that Mutfwang’s switch follows persistent speculation and prior discussions about his potential departure from the PDP. Reports over the past months had pointed to moves by the governor to explore alignment with the APC, despite earlier attempts by party stakeholders and local APC leaders to block such a transition. The recent confirmation of his defection resolves weeks of conjecture and signals a definitive shift in Plateau’s political landscape.
The broader implications of this realignment extend beyond the state. With Mutfwang’s defection, all states within Nigeria’s North‑Central geopolitical zone are now governed by APC administrations, marking a significant consolidation of power for the ruling party in a region historically viewed as politically competitive. This trend of high‑profile defections from the PDP to the APC has gained momentum in recent years and raises questions about the opposition party’s capacity to retain influence and mobilise support ahead of critical national elections.
Supporters of the governor argue that the move to the APC will facilitate quicker access to federal resources and smoother coordination on development initiatives, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, security, and social services. They contend that a united front with the federal government could yield tangible benefits for Plateau residents, especially in addressing longstanding communal tensions and economic challenges that have shaped the state’s socio‑political context.
Critics, however, caution that the defection could deepen political polarisation and alienate segments of the electorate who view the governor’s exit from the PDP as a departure from their expectations and electoral mandate. The PDP has reinforced its commitment to maintaining its organisational strength and preparing for future contests, asserting that the defection will not deter its efforts to remain a vibrant force in national politics.
As Plateau State adjusts to the new political order, attention will likely turn to how this realignment influences governance, party cohesion, and electoral strategies in the lead‑up to the 2027 general elections. With strategic positioning and alliance‑building emerging as central themes in Nigeria’s evolving political arena, Mutfwang’s defection stands as a defining moment in the interplay between state and national power dynamics.
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