By Israel Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has dismissed a resolution by Plateau State APC leaders opposing the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the party.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos on October 17, 2025, Plateau APC leaders unanimously adopted a motion moved by former Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, rejecting any attempt to admit Mutfwang, who currently governs under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to the development, the North-Central APC Forum said the resolution was driven by selfish interests and did not represent the true position of the party’s stakeholders in the region.
In a statement released in Jos by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, who served on the APC Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, the Forum reiterated its support for Mutfwang’s possible defection, describing the PDP as “a drowning party.”
According to Zazzaga, many Plateau APC leaders who opposed Mutfwang’s entry failed to deliver their polling units for the party in the last election but are now lobbying for federal appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Among those stakeholders who gathered to reject Governor Mutfwang, only a few are genuine party members capable of winning elections,” the statement read. “For example, the APC’s 2023 governorship running mate lost his polling unit and ward to the PDP, yet he is among those opposing Mutfwang.”
The Forum alleged that several of the party leaders now seeking federal appointments supported other candidates during the presidential election. It added that only the APC’s governorship candidate, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, won his local government area for President Tinubu.
Zazzaga said the party must prioritize electoral performance over internal politics when considering appointments and positions.
“Those rushing to Abuja for federal appointments should first show their results from the last election. After the next poll, we will publish polling unit results so President Tinubu will know who truly worked for the party,” the Forum declared.
The Plateau APC had earlier criticized Governor Mutfwang after he claimed he was under pressure to defect to the APC, challenging him to identify those urging him.
However, the North-Central APC Forum reaffirmed that Mutfwang’s claim was genuine, stating that some “influential figures in the Presidential Villa” are behind ongoing efforts to convince him.
“It is true that Governor Mutfwang has been under pressure to join the APC. Some key figures in the Villa support our calls, and we will continue to engage him in the interest of Plateau State and his political future,” the statement concluded.
The Forum maintained that expanding the APC’s membership through credible leaders like Mutfwang would strengthen the party’s prospects in future elections.
