Tag: Caleb Mutfwang

There is a groundswell of support for Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s re-election bid in Plateau State where the political class is closing ranks and working closely for development. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU, who witnessed the defection rally in Jos, the state capital, writes on the preparations for next year’s poll in the Northcentral state

The crowd was huge. It was not a rented gathering. The atmosphere was electrifying. Smiles lit the face of Caleb Mutfwang, lawyer and governor on the Plateau as joy was bold on the faces of all and sundry.

For the first time, the Northcentral state was in one accord. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forces, led by the governor, moved enmass to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue the journey of development and progress.

The Polo Field in Jos, venue of the defection rally, was filled to the brim by party members from across the 17 local governments, who were locked in excitment.

They endured the sun from sunrise to 3.30pm when the APC leaders stormed the field for a popularty walk. The party chairman, Rufus Bature, who was Mutfwang’s senior in the secondary school, exuded happiness.

The chairman and the governor are expected to jointly tackle the challenge of harmonisation of party structures imposed by the entry of new members.

It was a day of concrete resolutions. The people resolved to back the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has lived to expectation.

Also, APC resolved to field its state leader, Mutfwang, for a second term. There was no dissenting voice. Indeed, also for the first time in a long while, unity and peace were restored and the governor received applause as the symbol of harmony, cohesion and transquility.

Also defecting along with the governor were his deputy, Josephine Piyo, Senator Pam Nwadkou Dachungyang (Plateau North), PDP members of the House of Assembly, other federal lawmakers, local government chairmen and local opposition leaders.

Mutfwang’s defection was significant for another reason. It marked the completion of the allegiance shift to the progressive bloc in the Northcentral geo-political zone, which is now a stronghold of the ruling party.

APC National Chairman Prof. Netanwe Yilwatda, who was Mutfwang’s rival during the 2023 poll, assured that he will get the second term ticket and win in next year’s election.

He said there is no vacancy in the Plateau Government House because APC is waxing stronger, having become one bigger family.

He expressed excitment that the governor, who was his senior in secondary school and opponent, would team up for APC during the general election.

Yilwatda said:”My joy knows no bound. The candidates of APC,  PDP, Labour Party and other parties are now in APC. All the structues are now in APC, which is more powerful, more united,more intimidating and more prepared to deliver victory to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are better, stronger and more united.”

The chairman added:”There will be justice. There will be no tribal sentiment. There will be peace in Plateau State. We will work together, not by words, but by action.

“That brotherhood that made us one, that brotherhood that makes us thick should expand. The time for unity, justice and peace is here.”

Turning to Mutfwang, the chairman said:”Our broom will give you strengty to sweep all your supporters to APC.  The broom will sweep away disunity. The broom will ensure that we are one.”

Yilwatda also said in 1027, both the President and the governor will win in Plateau overwhelmingly.

He added:”Anybody who does not belong to the APC is a minority. All our federal and state lawmakers are APC. Our local government chairmen are APC. I urged those who are yet to join APC to come.”

‘APC wooing more governors’

Yilwatda said APC would not relent in wooing more opposition leaders to the ruling party, adding that the membership drive embarked by the party has offered opportunity to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to jump out of the sinking platform to safety.

Currently, APC has 29 states, and with Mutfwang’s defection, Northcentral states of Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau have come under the progressive banner.

However, Yilwatda said APC intends to enlarge its coast for more states and generality of  Nigerians to savour the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

He stressed:”APC now has 29 states. We will be expecting more. We are not tired of getting everyone. Our intention, our motive is that everyone become members of APC.”

He added:”PDP is drowning. Come to the party that will give you life. Come and take the broom that will give you the life jacket.”

Mutfwang: in unity we stand

Mutfwang,  who spoke after receiving the party flag from Yilwatda,  promised to be a symbol of unity in the state.

He said he and other defectors have not come to take over the structures of APC in the state but to add value to it.

Stressing that “Plateau is a must-win state in future elections,” the governor who hailed President Tinubu’s gestures, said “ it is better to follow a man that kniws road.”

He added:”We have not come to take over. We have come to add value. All disunity and rilvaries will now disappear. Plateau will be united.  No more opposition in Plateau. We are not defecting. We are realigning. We are re-engineeribg. Plateau will be the joker in 2027.”

 Mutfwang promised to fortify the party to achieve victory in future polls, saying: “Today’s movement is a landmark. It is statement that the people on the Plateau have made and they are here in their thousands to publicly declare their support for the APC and to return President Tinubu back to office in 2027.

“We are beginning a journey that our forefathers had long expected that we be united for peace and development.”

He thanked the president,  Akpabio, Abbas and other party leaders for encouraging him to join the ruling party.

Why ruling party is waxing stronger, by Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima,  who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is away in Turkey, noted that APC has continued to wax stronger and enlarge its coast because the administration is fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.

He described Mutfwang’s defection as an affirmation that the ruling party is a truly national platform open to all Nigerians committed to unity, peace and inclusive development.

He said the realignment underscored the party’s identity as the destination for all  who believe in a united future for the country.

The vice president said: “Plateau is a reminder that what powers every nation is unity, not unity rooted in sameness, but unity anchored on shared purpose,” the Vice President said, adding that the state’s entry into the APC symbolised Nigeria’s shared destiny.

He recalled Plateau State’s historic role in Nigeria’s survival and cohesion, paying tribute to former Head of State, Gen.  Yakubu Gowon,  Wash Pam, Solomon Lar, Joshua Dariye, Lalong, Tallen,  and other eminent sons and daughters whose sacrifices woven into the fabric of the nation’s survival.

Shettima said “Plateau gave Nigeria a leader whose strength lay in reconciliation. Nations survive not by conquest but by healing”.

The Vice President conveyed assurances from President Tinubu that Mutfwang would enjoy full standing and recognition within the APC, stressing that good governance is an asset to any political movement committed to national progress.

He described the governor as a unifying leader whose administration has begun to reposition Plateau from conflict and stagnation towards peace and transformation.

He alluded to Mutfwang’s initiatives in peacebuilding, renewable energy deployment for primary healthcare centres, agricultural expansion, transport infrastructure revitalisation, and people-focused budgets in education, healthcare and youth empowerment, urging him to sustain the tempo

Shettima said the defection marked the restoration of unity, justice peace, harmony to the state.

He said the president has ordered the construction of the Akwanga/Jos Road and recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Plateau to complement the push for security in the state.

Tinubu is  most Christian-friendly leader, says Akpabio

Akpabio, who led his colleagues, including Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Simon Lalong, Rochas Okorocha, and Adams Oshiomhole, said it is now evident that President Tinubu will win the next poll and Mutfwang will secure a second term.

Addressing fears that the defections could lead to a one-party state, Morka dismissed such concerns, arguing that Nigeria had experienced similar political dominance in the past without undermining democracy.

Akpabio described President Tinubu-led administration as the most Christian friendly government since Nigeria came into existence.

He therefore, dismissed the insinuations of religious discrimination as unfounded.

Akpabio said:  “Let me place on record that the President Bola Tinubu- led administration is the most Christian friendly administration since the creation of Nigeria. He has shown this through his actions and deeds. He treats both Christians and Muslims equally.”

The Senate President hailed Mutfwang for taking Plateau to the centre of Nigeria’s political gravity.

He said: “Mr Governor, I congratulate you on this action of taking the people of Plateau to the centre of national politics. Let me assure you that insecurity will soon come to an end in the Plateau.

“We will support your government in all sectors inorder to better the lives of your people. We will not leave you alone. Today’s action has finally brought all the states in the North Central geo- political zone into the party. This is significant.

“Government will do everything within its powers to protect Nigerians no matter their religious inclination and belief. We will support President Tinubu through approval of funds inorder to shut down all IDP camps in the state.”

Abbas: Governor should reconcile Plateau

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abba, who hailed Mutfwang’s courage, urged him to embark on reconciliation in the state to foster cohesion and harmony.

He described the occasion as historic, noting that Plateau was the last state in the Northcentral to join the APC.

He urged Mutfwang to embrace reconciliation and provide inclusive leadership as the party leader in the state.

He said:”As the state party leader, you should embrace reconciliation and promote brotherhood. Take members of APCand PDP as one indivisible family and give everyone a sense of belonging.”

APC will bring prosperity,  says Uzodimma

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 Uzodimma said APC will nit renege on its promise of renewedhope, development and prosperity.

He described Mutfwang as one of the best and brightest, assuring that Plateau would reap the benefit of defection.

No formidable team like Tinubu/Shettima, says  Sule

 Nasarawa State Governor Sule said Northcentral is now a stronghold of APC, noting that the six ststes are under the leadership of the ruling party.

He said Plateau had chosen a path that would reposition it to fully support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

He praised the President’s passion for national unity and progress, urging Nigerians to work together to steady the nation.

The governor paid special tributed to Vice President Shettima, acknowledging his pivotal role in encouraging his defection to the ruling party.

At the rally were Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), Ahmad,Aliyu (Sokoto), Dikko Raddah (Katsina), Monday Okphebolo (Edo), Abdullahi Sule(Nasarawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Agbu Kwfas (Taraba), and Francis Nwifuru (Akwa Ibom).

Other dignitaries included Secretary to the Government of the  Federation Senator George Akume, former Deputy Governor Pauline Tallen, former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, Prof. David Yakubu,  APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, and other National Working Committee (NWC) members -Saliu Muazu, Duro Meseko, Chinedu Ogah, Senator Lawrence Adudu, Abdulkarim Kana, Garuba Datti, and Mustapha Saliu.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang spoke with reporters in Jos, the state capital, shortly after the rally marking his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the gains of realignment of forces. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

What motivated you to join the All Progressives Congress (APC)?

To be honest with you, in July to be precise, the President reached out to me and asked me to consider coming over to the APC. I politely declined because my assessment then of the political dynamics of the Plateau.

There was no need for me to contemplate leaving the PDP at that point in time. But you will also recall that from September thereabout, the PDP began to wobble seriously. It got to the point where, as an insider, I became aware, as one of our elders said, that the PDP had fallen into the hands of undertakers.

At that point, the question was whether I was still going on with 2027 or not. I likened it to having a very serious appointment, like a wedding, ahead of you, and the vehicle you are travelling in breaks down very irreparably. You are forced at that point either to look for a mechanic or to look for another vehicle.

Going into 2027, I needed a platform. When I looked at it and saw that the PDP was not likely going to become a viable platform for 2027, I had to think of an option. The options were either to look for a new political party or to accept the invitation by the President.

When I did my own intelligence gathering about the state of parties in Nigeria, I found that it was least dangerous for me to respond to the President than to think of a new platform. I have never believed in the gladiators in the ADC, for example, and I didn’t think that was an option for me.

Earlier in the year, the circumstances were entirely different. After that, events began to emerge that I never contemplated, which forced me to have a rethink. It is that rethink that has brought me to this point now, where, after much consultation, I thought it was safer to go with the APC.

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You’ve had so much development in terms of education, agriculture and other sectors when you were with the PDP. Now that you have aligned with the centre, what do we expect in terms of more development for the state?

For me, it is to expect more collaboration, more enhancement and more support to continue what we have started doing. I must be honest, we haven’t witnessed too much hostility from the Federal Government. At least, in the last one year plus, I think I’ve enjoyed considerable collaboration with the Federal Government.

Now that I’m part of the family, I expect even more enhanced collaboration in the future. What is emerging is that Plateau State is becoming like the jewel of the crown in the North Central. I believe that all the potential to harvest votes on the Plateau will be nurtured so that we can deliver on the potential and produce that we hold.

Your Excellency, let’s rewind events of the past for replay. You were at Ibadan, at Adamashigua Stadium, and there were expulsion of your colleagues. You later objected to. Why?

I objected out of principle because it was done surreptitiously. There was no conversation around it that I was privy to, and I felt that a decision of such magnitude should not just be taken by a few people. Moreover, I didn’t see the purpose it was going to achieve. It was only going to deepen the divide, and as you can see, the situation has worsened since then.

If you followed the trend last week, there was a particular fiasco in court, which is like walking into a trap. Before you get out of such entanglement, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. I thought it was a wrong strategy to take control of the party.

 When a new governor comes into the APC, there is a problem of harmonising structures. How are you going to go about it to foster peace and harmony?

For us on the Plateau, we are lucky. The key gladiators we would have had issues with have demonstrated sufficient understanding. Former Governor Lalong, who is my predecessor, publicly told the world that I am now the new leader. Once you have a leadership structure, it is not difficult to harmonise positions.

On my own part, I know it is not a winner-takes-all situation. You have to have a likeness of hearts to ensure that all and sundry are accommodated under the same roof.

How was your leadership able to achieve the relative peace in the state?

As you rightly observed, December was one of the most peaceful in the recent history of the Plateau. If you came here on the 31st of December, I was there. That is a reflection of the relative peace we are talking about. It didn’t just take place in Jos; virtually all local governments experienced relative peace.

It is the result of concerted efforts. It is not happenstance. We have been lucky to stumble upon credible, actionable intelligence that helps us nip potential threats in the bud. You don’t get intelligence without cultivating friendships and relationships. Where you cultivate the right relationships, people volunteer information. This is what we have been doing over the last two years.

In the last three months particularly, the body language of the President has changed. It has given more clarity to the security agencies to deal with the situation. They now feel empowered by the political leadership to do the needful, and I think that has changed a lot.

Plateau is historically a PDP state, coming from the works of people like the late Chief Solomon Lar. Now that you are taking PDP strength into the APC, are the grassroots part of this?

Plateau people are rational voters. They know when to trust the judgement of their leader. Many people may not necessarily be current members of the APC, but they have shown commitment that wherever we go, they are with us. At the end of the day, it is not party membership but voter support that matters.

Since we made the decision to cross over, we have been engaging the grassroots. Many of them only wanted to be spoken to and to hear the reasoning behind our decision. Leaders across faith and ethnicity have come to appreciate the rationale.

We are continuing the engagement. I am a grassroots politician. Energising your base is critical, and we will intensify that in the days ahead.

On tangible benefits, the road project is now with the legal department of the Ministry of Works. Contracts are being tidied up, and mobilisation should begin soon. The President has assured me it is a legacy project.

Investments in livestock development are also coming. We are determined to recover the Wase Grazing Reserve. Livestock development has the capacity to bring prosperity. We are developing the entire value chain, from feed to milk production. We are also building a new abattoir capable of slaughtering 500 cows a day.

The Vice President also mentioned recruitment into the forest service. Plateau has been allocated 1,000 slots, which will help in returning IDPs to their communities.

Any guarantee for second term ticket?

On guarantees, tradition in Nigeria ensures first-term governors get second-term tickets. I am confident the President is a man of his word. Beyond that, we will bring value to the APC. Plateau State has the potential to influence Middle Belt voting blocs significantly.

Given past hostility between parties, how do you translate conflict energy into development?

At a point, maturity sets in. We choose collaboration over conflict. The endorsement by the National Chairman was reassuring and energising. It put fears to rest and strengthened commitment.

We must take our political destiny into our hands and ensure our votes count in national politics post-2027.

Political activities are heating up across the country, and Plateau State is no exception. Currently, no political party, other than the All Progressives Congress (APC)—now home to Governor Caleb Mutfwang—appears capable of mounting a credible challenge to the incumbent. Correspondent KOLADE ADEYEMI reports.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electoral calendar, political activities ahead of the 2026 general election are expected to kick off later in the year. However, though this timeline does not accommodate early campaigns, it became prevalent throughout 2025. In Plateau State, specifically, discussions and activities concerning the 2027 election have already taken centre stage in 2025, with momentum increasing into 2026.

In Plateau State, 2025 was characterised by political players working to influence the direction of the 2027 polls, especially in the last six months. The period was dominated by events involving Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who was elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the national ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Plateau State has not seen such political tension in years. All through 2025, speculation swirled over whether Governor Mutfwang would defect from the PDP to the APC. On December 18, 2025, APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda announced Mutfwang’s defection, bringing all of North Central under APC control.

Prof Yilwatda said Mutfwang’s move strengthens the APC’s grip on the North-Central zone. “With Governor Mutfwang’s defection, the whole North-Central is now APC-governed,” he said.

The development marks a major political shift in Plateau State and is expected to have significant implications for party alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Governor Mutfwang’s entry into the APC capped a broader movement of PDP members joining the APC on the Plateau. The much-anticipated defection of Mutfwang from the PDP to the APC was finalised on December 28, 2025, marking a defining moment in the state’s political landscape.

The PDP’s decline is giving the APC a clear advantage in the Plateau. Governor Mutfwang’s switch makes the PDP’s end on the Plateau apparent. The APC chairman stated, “In 2027, the APC faces no rival in Plateau State.” The 2023 governorship contest pitted the APC and PDP as the main contenders among 17 parties.

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APC’s ongoing transformation leaves no other party able to rival it. With the PDP’s decline, Plateau State is fast becoming a one-party state.

The PDP’s decline in Plateau State can be traced back to the 2023 governorship election, when the party lost 80 per cent of its elected members to the APC after a court ruled that they were not properly nominated. Following the 2023 election tribunal activities, only Governor Mutfwang remained to support the PDP and prevent its collapse, until his defection in December 2025.

Now that Governor Mutfwang has left the PDP, the party is struggling for survival in Plateau State, highlighting the APC’s newfound dominance.

Comrade Steve Aluko, director of Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), noted, “The PDP is weakened; it must reinvent itself for 2027. Factionalism at the national level could deny it a governorship candidate. I foresee PDP and others backing the APC’s pick.”

In Plateau, zoning is strictly observed. Since 2023, the governorship has been reserved for Plateau Central.

Plateau governorship zoning lasts for eight years. In 1999-2003, ex-Gov Joshua Dariye from Plateau Central was at the helm of affairs for eight years. His successor, Jonah Jang (Plateau North), was also in charge for another eight years, before Simon Lalong, from Plateau South, took over and governed the state for eight years.

Now, it is the turn of Plateau Central once again, and Mutfwang, who hails from the zone, is expected to contest during the forthcoming general election to complete the maximum of eight years permitted by the constitution. Hence, the incumbent Governor Mutfwang has assurance of his second term.

By Plateau’s zoning formula, all parties must field candidates from Plateau Central.

Currently, there is no public indication that political parties intend to revise the zoning formula for Plateau Central ahead of the 2027 election. However, historical trends and recent events suggest that any party aiming to win the 2027 governorship in Plateau State will likely select its candidate from Plateau Central.

Before Mutfwang’s move to the APC, all senatorial zones adopted him as their 2027 candidate. Now that he has defected, their support is expected to remain—or even strengthen.

Despite Governor Mutfwang’s move to the APC, another politician, Dr Danyaro Dakon Sarpiya, has also announced his intention to run for governor in the 2027 election. At an event on December 14, 2025, in Ampang West Ward, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr Sarpiya declared that he would contest on the APC platform.

Addressing the crowd on December 14, 2025, Dr Sarpiya reminded supporters of his political journey, particularly his participation in the 2023 governorship election, where he emerged as a strong contender on the APC platform.

He said, “I was here some years ago to declare my intention to contest for governor, but the outcome of the party primaries did not favour me. We accepted everything in good faith, believing that God’s will is supreme. Today, I have returned to tell my people that I am still in the race.”

He said his bid followed wide consultations with leaders, stakeholders, and supporters in and beyond the ward. “This isn’t personal. I’m contesting to develop Plateau State. Our people face insecurity and underdevelopment. With your support, I will make a difference,” Sarpiya said.

Those who contested the governorship in Plateau State in 2023 were Caleb Mutfwang (PDP), Nentanwe Yilwatda (APC), Dakum Patrick (LP), Abdullahi Ibrahim (BP), Yakubu Panpe (PRP), and Kwapdimma Francis (NRM).

Others were Sani Dawop (ADP), Solomon Nandy (ADC), Dawan Alfred (NNPP), Abashe Nwakpa (APGA), Samuel Kompial (ZLP), Hadi Mohammed (APP), Gontori Butdangman (YPP), Dimka Duwa (AAC), Mohammed Danbaba  (APM), and Amos Adamu (AA).

It remains uncertain if any of the 2023 candidates or their parties will recontest in 2027. For now, the main focus is on Governor Mutfwang’s second-term ambition—both he and Dr Sarpia are vying under the APC banner. The spotlight is on whether the PDP can field a viable challenger.