Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The recent defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress has continued to generate intense debate across Nigeria, with former Kaduna Central senator and social commentator Shehu Sani offering one of the most far-reaching interpretations of the development. In a widely circulated post on his official X account, Sani framed the governor’s decision not simply as a personal or strategic political move, but as a moment that fundamentally alters the political structure of Northern Nigeria.
Governor Mutfwang’s defection, formally announced by the national leadership of the APC, has effectively placed all states in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones under the control of a single national party. For the first time in recent history, regions that have traditionally reflected deep political, religious, and ideological diversity now find themselves united under one dominant political platform. This unprecedented consolidation has triggered questions about governance, opposition politics, and the future of political competition in the North.
Reacting to this shift, Shehu Sani argued that the development represents a profound reordering of Northern politics. According to him, the unification of Muslim-dominated and Christian-dominated states in the region under the APC marks the erosion of the North’s long-standing political pluralism. Historically, the region’s political landscape has been shaped by a balance of competing parties, regional interests, and religious considerations, often serving as a check on absolute political dominance. Sani suggested that this balance has now been fundamentally altered.
In his commentary, the former senator emphasized that the convergence of diverse Northern states into a single party would inevitably change how political grievances are expressed and addressed. He noted that issues which once played out across party lines, with opposition parties acting as platforms for dissent and advocacy, would now have to be handled internally within the ruling party. This, he argued, transforms the nature of political engagement in the region.
Sani went further to suggest that complaints and demands from citizens in these states should now be regarded as internal matters rather than partisan disputes. By describing such issues as “family affairs,” he underscored his belief that the APC now bears sole responsibility for addressing concerns related to governance, equity, and inclusion across the North. In his words, the Muslim-dominated states and the Christian-dominated states in the region are now all in one political party, and any issues raised by the people should be treated as internal concerns to be resolved within that framework.
This perspective has resonated with many observers who see Mutfwang’s defection as more than a routine party switch. Analysts note that the North-Central region, which includes Plateau State, has often served as a political and cultural bridge between Nigeria’s largely Muslim North-West and the more religiously diverse Middle Belt. Plateau, in particular, has a history of competitive politics and has frequently swung between parties, reflecting its complex social makeup. Mutfwang’s move to the APC therefore carries symbolic weight beyond the immediate political calculus.
Supporters of the consolidation argue that having a unified political platform across the North-West and North-Central could enhance coordination with the federal government, streamline development efforts, and reduce intergovernmental friction. They contend that shared party affiliation may lead to faster decision-making, improved access to federal resources, and a more cohesive approach to tackling security challenges, economic development, and infrastructure deficits that have long affected the region.
However, critics warn that the concentration of political power within a single party risks weakening democratic accountability. They argue that without a strong opposition controlling any state in the region, citizens may find it more difficult to channel dissent or demand change through electoral means. The absence of inter-party competition at the state level, they say, could lead to complacency, internal factionalism, and the marginalization of minority voices within the ruling party.
Shehu Sani’s analysis touches directly on this concern. By highlighting that future disputes over resource allocation, representation, religious sensitivity, and ethnic tensions must now be resolved behind closed doors within the APC, he implicitly raised questions about transparency and inclusiveness. While internal party mechanisms can provide avenues for dialogue, critics note that such processes are often less visible and less accessible to ordinary citizens than open political competition.
The PDP, which has now lost one of its few remaining footholds in the North-Central zone, has described the defection as a setback but insists it will reorganize and rebuild. Party officials have argued that political dominance is cyclical and that voter sentiment can shift rapidly, particularly if governance outcomes fail to meet public expectations. They also maintain that ideological diversity remains essential for a healthy democracy, especially in a region as complex as Northern Nigeria.
Within the APC itself, the influx of new power centers is expected to reshape internal dynamics. With governors, senators, and party leaders now operating within the same political structure, competition for influence may intensify. Observers point out that while external opposition may be diminished, internal rivalries could become more pronounced, making party cohesion a critical challenge in the coming years.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general elections, the implications of this political consolidation will continue to unfold. For citizens of the North-West and North-Central regions, the promise of unified governance will ultimately be judged by tangible outcomes in security, economic opportunity, social cohesion, and respect for diversity. Whether the current alignment leads to stability and progress or to new forms of political tension remains an open question.
Shehu Sani’s intervention has added a deeper layer to the national conversation, encouraging Nigerians to view the moment not just through the lens of party politics, but as a turning point in the evolution of Northern political identity. His remarks serve as both an observation and a challenge, placing responsibility squarely on the ruling party to manage its newfound dominance with fairness, sensitivity, and accountability.
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