Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has spoken out on reports linking him to a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor admitted that he has been under pressure from several political figures urging him to cross over to the ruling party.
Speaking during an event at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Jos over the weekend, Mutfwang made it clear that he has no intention of leaving the PDP.
According to him, only divine instruction and the will of the people who elected him can determine his political direction.
“It is true that they have been putting pressure on me,” the governor said. “But I told them that only two people can authorise me to change my party — one is the God of heaven, and the other is you, the people. Have you asked me to go anywhere?” he asked, drawing a loud “No!” from the crowd.
The remarks come shortly after the APC leadership in Plateau publicly dismissed claims that the governor was planning to join their party.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting held in Jos, members of the APC rejected a motion proposing Mutfwang’s defection through a unanimous voice vote.
Former APC Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, who moved the motion, said the party had no interest in accepting defectors. He maintained that the APC was strong enough to face future elections without external reinforcement.
Reacting to the development, Mutfwang described those rejecting him as acting out of fear. “So, those who are rejecting me for what I didn’t even ask for are wasting their time,” he said. “The truth is that 60 to 70 percent of the people in the APC in Plateau would be happy to have us join them. They know I will not do that — and that’s why they’re angry and twisting things.”
He added that he would not dwell on the issue, saying, “It’s a story for another day.”
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the PDP has witnessed a series of defections since the 2023 general elections, with some governors joining the ruling APC.
Among them are Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Peter Mbah of Enugu.
Recall that the Plateau APC recently rejected rumours of Mutfwang’s planned defection, stressing that the party remains focused on rebuilding its structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
