By Israel Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has rejected a resolution by Plateau State APC leaders opposing the possible defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Jos on October 17, 2025, Plateau APC leaders unanimously adopted a motion moved by former Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, rejecting Mutfwang’s entry into the party.
However, in a statement released in Jos on Tuesday, the North-Central APC Forum, representing stakeholders from across the North-Central zone, described the Plateau leaders’ resolution as self-serving and not in the best interest of the APC.
The Forum’s chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, who also served on the APC Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, said the group’s members in Plateau were not invited to the stakeholders’ meeting where the decision was taken.
According to him, most of those who moved against Mutfwang’s defection had failed to deliver their polling units during the last election and were only seeking political appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
> “Among those who gathered to reject Governor Caleb Mutfwang, only a few are genuine, capable party members,” Zazzaga stated. “In the last election, the APC governorship running mate in Plateau lost both his polling unit and ward to the PDP. Now he is among those opposing Mutfwang joining the APC.”
The Forum also questioned the political relevance of those opposing Mutfwang, claiming many of them did not vote for the APC presidential candidate but are now lobbying for federal positions.
> “They voted for Peter Obi, not Tinubu, yet they are rushing to Abuja for appointments. It is only the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who won his local government area for President Tinubu,” the statement read.
The group reaffirmed its call for Governor Mutfwang to defect to the APC, arguing that his inclusion would strengthen the party in Plateau and boost its chances in future elections.
“We are still urging Governor Mutfwang to join the APC because of the crisis in the PDP. Those rejecting him have no electoral value. Our goal is to unite and win Plateau State for Tinubu. Interests can only come after victory,” Zazzaga said.
The Forum further suggested that political appointments within the party should be based on performance in elections, urging the federal government to assess appointees using their polling unit results.
“Those lobbying for appointments should show evidence of their electoral performance. After the next election, we will publish results from different polling units so the President will know who truly delivered,” the statement added.
The Plateau APC had earlier dismissed Mutfwang’s claims that he was under pressure to defect, challenging him to name those urging him to join.
Responding, the North-Central APC Forum maintained that its outreach to Mutfwang was genuine and backed by influential figures within the Presidential Villa.
“It is true that Governor Mutfwang is under pressure to join APC. Some influential figures in the Villa support our call, and we will not relent until we convince him to do what is right for Plateau State and for his political future,” the Forum declared.
