The North-Central Forum of the All Progressives Congress has once again urged Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling APC.
The reiterated call was made on Thursday in Jos, Plateau State’s capital, during the forum’s third-quarter meeting, according to a press statement signed by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga.
According to the statement, Zazzaga stated that the forum was the first political body to officially push Governor Mutfwang to switch from the PDP to the APC based on political analysis and projections made before and after the 2023 general elections, many of which, he claims, have now become reality.
He stated that the group’s political advocacy had resulted in several positive outcomes, including the push for the establishment of the North-Central Development Commission, the campaign to return the APC National Chairmanship to the North-Central from the North-West, and support for President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
He noted that the forum had continuously pushed other party leaders to join the APC.
“Among all our calls, one that stands out is our consistent appeal for Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC—a call we initiated in 2023.”
“Although other political groups are now beginning to echo the same message, the fact remains that we were the first to make this call based on our political sagacity, investigative insight, grassroots mobilization, and commitment to strengthening party structures,” he added.
He also asked the governor to join the APC in accordance with his administration’s tagline, “The Time is Now.”
“All is now set for him to do so. His good works and value will be more appreciated and impactful if he joins the APC,” he stated.
Zazzaga noted that Mutfwang’s progressive style of government encouraged the forum’s sustained popularity, which he claimed is consistent with the APC’s development-oriented ideology.
“Joining the APC will place him on the same page with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has shown genuine interest in Plateau State and has been working towards its advancement.
“It will also allow Governor Mutfwang to collaborate more effectively with his counterparts in the North-Central region who are APC members to pursue shared goals for regional and state development,” he added.
The forum chairman also noted that the majority of Plateau State lawmakers are members of the APC, emphasizing the importance of aligning the executive and legislative branches of government to improve governance and solve security and development concerns more effectively.
Meanwhile, Zazzaga disregarded dissenting voices within the APC who oppose Mutfwang’s likely defection, accusing them of a lack of political vision and strategy.
In October, Mutfwang revealed that he was under pressure to dump the PDP to join the APC.
“It is not a lie that they also put pressure on me. But I told them only two people would authorize me to change my party. One is the God of heaven, and the other is you, the people,” he said, while addressing an audience at an event at the Government House on October 27.
The development comes as the PDP continues to lose important members, including governors and National Assembly members, to the APC ahead of the next general election.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State are among the governors who have recently switched parties.
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas is said to be finalizing arrangements to abandon the PDP in favor of the APC.
