Pat Stevens & Malik Yahya/
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its grip on the North Central geopolitical zone following the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The development, announced on Thursday in Abuja, means that all states in the North Central region are now governed by the APC, marking a decisive political moment for the ruling party.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed the defection during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre.
Yilwatda, who is from Plateau State, described Mutfwang’s move as a major boost to the party’s strength and influence in the region.
“With the defection of Governor Mutfwang, the APC now governs the entire North Central,” he said.
While the governor’s decision to leave the PDP had been widely anticipated following months of political speculation, its confirmation has formally completed what party leaders describe as a clean sweep of the region.
Governor Mutfwang, who was elected on the platform of the PDP in the 2023 general elections, becomes one of the most prominent opposition figures to cross over to the ruling party in recent months, deepening the challenges facing the PDP at the national level.
Reacting to the development, the governor’s Special Adviser on Inter Party Relations, John Akans, said the defection was the product of broad based consultations across Plateau State.
According to him, party leaders, political allies, and grassroots stakeholders were involved in the process, with many agreeing that aligning with the ruling party would place the state in a stronger position to benefit from federal programmes and interventions.
Akans said the decision reflects a collective strategy rather than a personal choice by the governor, adding that Mutfwang remains committed to his mandate and to delivering good governance to the people of Plateau State.
He further described the defection as a strategic realignment aimed at strengthening peace, unity, and development in the state, assuring residents that governance remains the administration’s top priority.
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