APC welcomes Mutfwang after his defection, urging unity, inclusive governance and close cooperation with President Tinubu
The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has welcomed the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, into the ruling party and urged him to avoid ethnic and religious divisions while working closely with President Bola Tinubu to address the state’s security and development challenges.
Also read: Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang Defects to APC
The forum made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja following Mutfwang’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
The statement, signed by the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said the move was in the best interest of Plateau State and would strengthen the APC in the North-Central zone.
The group, which comprises APC stakeholders from the six North-Central states, said it had spearheaded efforts to persuade Mutfwang to join the ruling party because of concerns about divisive politics in his former political environment.
“We, the North-Central APC Forum, extend a warm welcome to Governor Caleb Mutfwang as he formally joins the APC family, where unity, peace and progress flourish, and ethnic and religious differences are set aside,” the statement said.
The forum said it believed Mutfwang had the capacity to deliver development to Plateau State but urged him to distance himself from individuals within his administration who promote ethnic or religious agendas.
According to Zazzaga, such tendencies should have no place in what he described as a progressive APC administration.
The forum said it had observed that during Mutfwang’s time in the PDP, some officials in his government encouraged division, which it described as a major reason behind its campaign for his defection.
“Now that he is in the APC, we expect him to carefully select and work with people who are truly committed to the development of Plateau State, not those driven by narrow ethnic or religious interests,” the statement said.
The group also urged the governor to unite the people of the state and ensure inclusive governance.
It called on him to work closely with President Tinubu, particularly in addressing Plateau State’s security challenges, saying such cooperation would give the governor direct access to national security leadership.
The forum advised Mutfwang to govern as a leader for all citizens, ensuring that no ethnic group, religious community or section of the state is marginalised.
It also urged the governor to assert full authority over his administration and free himself from undue influence.
The group said it had faced intimidation and harassment while campaigning for Mutfwang’s defection but remained resolute because of its confidence in his leadership.
“Despite the pressure, we persevered because we believe in what he represents and are confident that his move to the APC will strengthen the party and serve the best interests of Plateau State,” the statement said.
The forum linked its support for Mutfwang to its broader political objectives, noting that it had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for a second term and pledged to mobilise six million votes for the APC in the 2027 general elections.
Also read: Plateau PDP Group Urges Positive Mutfwang APC Defection
It said Mutfwang’s presence in the party would help in achieving that goal.
