Mutfwang defection to APC reshapes Plateau politics as the governor dumps PDP, handing the ruling party full control of Nigeria’s North Central zone

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on Tuesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, a decisive political move that has redrawn Plateau’s political map and handed the APC full control of Nigeria’s North Central geopolitical zone.

Also read: APC confirms Plateau Governor Mutfwang’s defection in major boost

The defection was formally announced in Abuja at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the APC held at the State House Conference Centre, where the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, informed leaders and stakeholders of the development.

Professor Yilwatda described the move as a significant boost to the ruling party, saying the APC now governs all states in the North Central region following Governor Mutfwang’s defection.

For Plateau State, the announcement ended months of intense speculation, rumours and public denials that had dominated political discourse across the state.

From Jos to Shendam, the question of whether Governor Mutfwang would abandon the PDP had lingered amid a wave of defections weakening the opposition party nationwide.

The rumours gained strength as several senior PDP figures in Plateau, including former lawmakers, ex senators and key actors from the 2023 election campaign, defected to the APC. Despite the growing momentum, Governor Mutfwang consistently denied plans to leave the PDP, insisting at various times that pressure was being mounted on him to defect.

In one of his most quoted responses, the governor said only divine instruction and the will of Plateau people could compel him to change political parties.

The remarks, rather than settling the matter, deepened political intrigue as APC influence continued to expand in the state.

Reacting to the eventual defection, the governor’s Special Adviser on Inter Party Relations, John Akans, said the decision followed extensive consultations and was not taken unilaterally by the governor.

John Akans said party leaders, political allies and grassroots stakeholders across Plateau State were fully involved in the discussions that preceded the move, describing the defection as a strategic realignment rather than a personal choice.

According to him, the decision was informed by prevailing political realities and the desire of Plateau leaders to reposition the state within the national power structure, particularly in terms of attracting federal presence and accelerating development.

He dismissed concerns that the defection would distract the government, insisting Governor Mutfwang remained focused on peace, unity and governance.

He added that the administration’s mandate to the people would continue irrespective of party affiliation.

The development, however, sparked mixed reactions.

While supporters of the governor hailed the move as pragmatic and necessary to secure Plateau’s relevance at the centre, some APC loyalists initially expressed reservations about integrating a sitting PDP governor into the party’s existing structures.

Despite internal concerns, the national leadership of the APC appears to have embraced the defection as part of its broader consolidation strategy.

The move also carries symbolic significance, with the party’s national chairman being a Plateau indigene.

For the PDP, Governor Mutfwang’s exit represents another painful setback in the North Central, a region the party once dominated.

The loss has further raised questions about the opposition party’s capacity to stem defections ahead of future electoral contests.

As Plateau State adjusts to the new political reality, expectations are high over whether closer alignment with the federal government will translate into tangible benefits.