In a seismic shift that has redrawn the political map of the North Central region, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday.
The grand entry, held at a packed Jos Polo Field, was attended by a high-powered federal delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The move signifies the total consolidation of the APC in the North Central zone, with all six states in the region now under the governing party’s control.
READ ALSO: Plateau Gov Caleb Mutfwang set to be officially welcomed into APC
Shettima, who played a pivotal role in the governor’s defection, described the event as proof that the APC has become the ultimate destination for those committed to a unified Nigeria.
“Plateau is a reminder that what powers every nation is unity rooted in shared purpose,” Shettima declared. “To have Plateau in the APC is to show the world that we are indeed prepared to be the party for all Nigerians.”
He also paid tribute to Plateau’s history of producing unifiers, citing former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, whose legacy of reconciliation over conquest he said continues to inspire the nation.
Mutfwang, who initially won his seat under the PDP in 2023, stated that his decision was driven by a desire to reposition Plateau State to attract maximum federal support.
He pledged his full commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing the President’s “passion and commitment to rejigging Nigeria.”
Shettima praised Mutfwang’s “unifying leadership,” specifically noting his administration’s efforts in initiatives designed to end decades of communal conflict.
He also praised him for expanding renewable energy for primary healthcare and revitalizing transport networks and massive expansion of support programs for local farmers.
The legislative leadership was quick to point out the strategic importance of the defection.
Akpabio noted that the move depicts “completeness” for the APC in the North Central and promised that the National Assembly would appropriate funds to help return displaced persons in the state to their homes.
Abbas called it a “day of history,” confirming that Plateau was the final piece of the puzzle for the APC in the geopolitical zone.
APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who was notably Mutfwang’s opponent in the 2023 election—welcomed his former rival with open arms.
READ ALSO: Mutfwang meets Muslim leaders over APC shift, state unity
He predicted that the “massive” influx of supporters would lead to an overwhelming victory for both the governor and Tinubu in the 2027 polls.
Yilwatda emphasised that the “new” Plateau APC would be built on social justice and equity, bringing together both Muslim and Christian communities to ensure sustainable peace.
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