JOS, Nigeria — Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has revealed that he is facing intense pressure from political figures to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the disclosure during an event at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Jos over the weekend.
Mutfwang, however, reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, declaring that only God and the people of Plateau who elected him could determine his political future.
“It is true that they have been putting pressure on me,” Mutfwang 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?”
His question drew a thunderous “No!” from the audience, who applauded his stance.
Mutfwang’s remarks come weeks after APC leaders in Plateau dismissed speculation that he was planning to join their party.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Jos, members of the APC unanimously voted against a motion proposing the governor’s defection.
The motion, moved by Festus Fuanter, former deputy national secretary of the party, 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 at the meeting, adding that the APC was confident in its strength ahead of the 2027 general elections and did not need “external reinforcement.”
Reacting to that position, Mutfwang said those rejecting his supposed defection were acting out of fear and insecurity.
“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 light-heartedly, “It’s a story for another day.”
Mutfwang’s reaffirmation of loyalty comes amid a wave of PDP defections to the ruling APC since the 2023 elections.
Notable governors who have left the opposition party include Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Peter Mbah of Enugu.
Similarly, Douye Diri of Bayelsa has resigned from the PDP and is reportedly finalising his move to the ruling party.
Despite these developments, Mutfwang maintains that his allegiance to the PDP remains firm, insisting that “Plateau’s mandate belongs to the people, not politicians.”
