Olayiwola Matthew
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has said that he has been under pressure from some political figures to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an event held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Jos over the weekend, Mutfwang reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, stating that only God and the people who elected him could influence his political choices.
“It is true that they have been putting pressure on me, 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 said.
The crowd responded with a resounding “No”.
His statement followed weeks of speculation that he might defect to the APC, claims which party leaders in Plateau have denied.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Jos, APC members voted against a motion proposing Mutfwang’s possible defection. The motion, moved by Festus Fuanter, former deputy national secretary of the APC, was rejected through a voice vote.
“We don’t want anybody coming to our party. You do your thing, and we’ll do ours,” Fuanter said, adding that the APC remained confident in its structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the comments, Mutfwang said those opposing his alleged move were acting out of fear.
“So, those who are rejecting me for what I didn’t even ask for are wasting their time.
“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 said.
He concluded by saying, “It’s a story for another day.”
Since the 2023 general elections, several PDP governors have defected to the APC, including Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Peter Mbah of Enugu. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa has also resigned from the PDP and is reportedly preparing to join the ruling party.