Mutfwang’s defection: what does it portend for Northcentral

After months of rumours, denials, counter-denials and political shadowboxing, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has finally taken the step many had predicted but few could time.

His defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has not only redrawn the political map of Plateau State but also reshaped its political landscape. Still, it has also handed the APC complete control of the North-Central geopolitical zone.

The announcement came in Abuja during the APC’s 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre. National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, broke the news to party leaders and stakeholders.

“With the defection of Governor Mutfwang, the entire North-Central region is now governed by the APC,” Yilwatda said, describing the move as a significant boost to the party’s regional dominance.

For Plateau, the development ended over a year of intense speculation that had consumed political conversations across the state. From Jos to Shendam, from party offices to beer parlours, the question was the same: would Mutfwang defect or not?

The rumours gained momentum against the backdrop of a nationwide political realignment that has seen governors, lawmakers, and party heavyweights steadily migrate into the APC, leaving the PDP weakened and fragmented. The Plateau was no exception. Several PDP stalwarts, including former lawmakers, ex-senators, and top campaign figures from the 2023 elections, had already crossed over, fuelling the belief that the governor’s move was only a matter of time.

Yet Mutfwang repeatedly dismissed the claims, insisting he had no intention of leaving the party that brought him to office. At one point, he even accused the APC of mounting pressure on him.

“An attempt has indeed been made for me to join the APC, which I have refused to bow to,” he said at the time. “Only two people would authorise me to change my party. One is the God of heaven, and the other is you, the people.”

Rather than calming nerves, those denials deepened suspicion. As more PDP leaders defected and APC influence grew stronger on the Plateau, the political atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Reacting to the eventual defection, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Inter-Party Relations, John Akans, said the decision was neither sudden nor personal. In a telephone interview, Akans stressed that Mutfwang did not act alone.

“This is not a unilateral decision by the governor,” he said. “It is the collective decision of stakeholders across the state. Consultations were wide, deep, and inclusive. Party leaders, political allies, and grassroots actors were all carried along before this step was taken.”

Akans said the move reflected the prevailing political reality and Plateau leaders’ desire to reposition the state within the national power structure.

“The stakeholders believe this move will better position Plateau State to attract federal presence, deepen political inclusion, and accelerate development,” he explained. “The governor remains committed to the mandate given to him by the people, irrespective of the party platform.”

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He described the defection as more than a routine political switch.

“This is a movement, not just a defection,” Akans said. “It is a realignment aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring Plateau State is not left out of national political calculations and dynamics.”

According to him, concerns that the defection might distract the government were unfounded. “The governor’s focus remains on peace, unity, and delivering good governance to the people of Plateau State,” he added.

The decision, however, has not been without controversy. While pro-Mutfwang groups hailed it as a strategic move that would unlock federal goodwill and restore Plateau’s voice at the centre, some APC loyalists initially resisted the idea of welcoming a sitting PDP governor into their fold.

Groups opposed to the move raised concerns about governance, internal party balance, and the fate of existing APC structures in the state. Others argued that aligning with the centre was a political necessity rather than an ideological choice.

Despite the disagreements, the national leadership of the APC appears to have prevailed, seeing the governor’s entry as consistent with its broader expansion strategy. With Yilwatda, a Plateau indigene, as national chairman, Mutfwang’s defection also carries symbolic weight for the party.

For the PDP, the loss is another painful blow in a season of steady decline. Once dominant in the North-Central, the party now finds itself shut out of the region’s governorship seats, raising questions about its ability to halt further defections ahead of future elections.

For Plateau State, the long months of uncertainty have given way to a new political reality. Whether the promises of stronger federal ties and accelerated development will materialise remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the “hullabaloo” is over.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has made his choice, and with it, the APC has secured total control of the North-Central zone.