The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has revealed that its ongoing efforts to convince Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC are based on "directives from above."

In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, the Forum's Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, indicated that their campaign to bring Governor Mutfwang into the APC fold has the backing of the party's national leadership.

"The North-Central APC Forum is warning those who are against calls for Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to join the APC to desist from their unprogressive disposition because our campaign is based on a directive from above," the statement read.

Internal Opposition Within Plateau APC

The Forum's attempts to woo Mutfwang have met resistance from some APC leaders in Plateau State who fear that the governor's defection would automatically hand him control of the party's structure and the governorship ticket for the 2027 election.

Opposition intensified after the Forum adopted the Green Cap Movement for the 2027 governorship poll in Plateau State—a symbol closely associated with Mutfwang and his supporters. Some party leaders have described this move as an anti-party activity deserving of sanctions.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who was the APC candidate in the 2023 governorship election, has questioned Zazzaga's commitment and membership of the party.

Forum Defends Recruitment Efforts

The Forum has warned APC leaders in Plateau State to stop frustrating efforts to bring Mutfwang and other prominent opposition politicians into the party, arguing that those working against these efforts are the ones actually guilty of anti-party activities.

"We advise those who have constituted themselves as cogs in the wheel of progress to thread with caution as they cannot succeed in working against the interests of the party. No sort of intimidation or blackmail will stop us from our quest to get Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join our great party, the APC," the statement emphasized.

The Forum stressed that the party does not belong to any individual and that as stakeholders committed to the progress of the APC in the North-Central, they believe progressive elements like Governor Mutfwang should be welcomed.

Regional Unity Strategy

Pointing to recent high-profile defections to the APC, particularly the governors of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa-Ibom State, Umo Eno, the Forum emphasized that Plateau State should not be left behind in this political realignment.

"It is our wish that the entire North-Central should be APC. At the moment, Plateau is the only state in the zone that is not APC, which is why we are working to get the governor to join our party," the statement continued.

The Forum believes that having all governors of the North-Central zone under the APC umbrella, coupled with President Bola Tinubu's establishment of the North-Central Development Commission, would ensure accelerated development of the region.

According to the Forum, Mutfwang already has a cordial relationship with President Tinubu and APC leaders at the national level, noting that the Plateau governor spent the recent Sallah holiday with President Tinubu in Lagos.

The Forum has advised the APC executive committee in Plateau State to work with Mutfwang, stating, "If there is anything they need to sustain the party in the state, they should align with the state government."

The group also issued a warning to those calling for Zazzaga's suspension, describing such efforts as counterproductive. "Calling on the governor to defect to the APC is not anti-party activity, rather it is a move that should be commended by all stakeholders as it is in the interest of the party for a sitting governor to join its ranks," the statement concluded.

Follow BenriNews on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | WhatsApp | Telegram