- Plateau governor’s defection reshapes the North Central political map overnight.
- APC leadership announces move at high-level National Caucus meeting in Abuja.
- Party says the switch strengthens APC dominance across key regions.
- More PDP governors were present as defections continue to stir national politics.
Plateau governor Caleb Mutfwang has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, a move that has sent fresh ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape and further boosted APC’s growing influence in the North Central region.
Governor Mutfwang’s decision was made public on Thursday night during the APC’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The announcement was delivered by the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, before top government officials and party leaders.
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Speaking at the meeting, Yilwatda described the development as a major political realignment, declaring that the defection places the entire North Central geopolitical zone firmly under APC leadership.
“This is a significant moment for our party. With this move, the North Central is now fully aligned with the APC,” Yilwatda said.
President Bola Tinubu led other senior party figures to the caucus meeting, arriving alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodinma.
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The gathering attracted a wide array of political heavyweights, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, APC governors, National Working Committee members, and principal officers of the National Assembly.
Also in attendance were former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and several governors who recently crossed over from the PDP to the APC, among them Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Kefas Agbu of Taraba.
Although Governor Mutfwang has yet to personally address the defection, party insiders say the move reflects ongoing political recalculations ahead of future national contests.
As defections continue to reshape party loyalties, analysts say the APC’s expanding ranks could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s political balance in the coming years.
