By Peter Omopo
The Plateau State chapter of the Councillors Forum of Nigeria has firmly rejected alleged moves by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jos on Monday, the forum’s chairman, John Dashe, described the purported defection plan as a “desperate attempt” by the governor and his supporters to “smuggle him into the APC through the back door.”
Dashe noted that Mutfwang had repeatedly dismissed the strength of the APC in Plateau State and publicly denied any interest in joining the party. He questioned why the governor would now seek admission into the same political platform he had “constantly derided.”
According to the former councillors, the governor’s alleged overtures to the APC were not only inconsistent but also unacceptable. Dashe accused Mutfwang’s administration of failing to provide effective governance, citing infrastructure decay, mass disengagement of youths from government service, and the sack of elected local government officials in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling.
“This government disengaged more than 4,000 Plateau youths and removed democratically elected chairmen and councillors. Such a leader cannot be considered for membership in our progressive party,” Dashe said.
The group also recalled the governor’s criticism of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, arguing that his “divisive rhetoric” remained fresh in the minds of party members.
They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Plateau State Chairman Rt. Hon. Rufus Bature, and former governor Simon Bako Lalong to reject any attempt by the governor to join the party.
“With the APC already enjoying strong representation in both the National and State Assemblies, it is unclear what value Governor Mutfwang intends to bring. We insist he should remain in the PDP,” the forum said.
However, the governor has denied any plan to leave the PDP. In a reaction on Monday, the Plateau State PDP Publicity Secretary, Dr. Felix Choji, dismissed the ex-councillors’ remarks as unnecessary distractions.
Choji stated that Governor Mutfwang had consistently made it clear that only God and the people of Plateau State would determine his political direction, adding that the governor remained committed to delivering good governance.
“I do not understand why former APC councillors are making these claims when the governor’s position is already well known. They should leave him out of their internal issues,” Choji said.
Our correspondent reports that the APC in Plateau State remains divided on the matter, with some leaders opposed to the governor’s rumored defection while others appear more receptive.
