A coalition of pioneer members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Concerned Plateau APC Legacy Members has issued a strong warning against alleged attempts by some party actors to prevent the rumoured defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, into the ruling party.
Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos on Friday, the group—comprising founding members of the APC since its formation in 2013—criticised recent protests staged against Governor Mutfwang, describing them as “shameful, misguided, and unrepresentative of genuine party stakeholders.”
They dismissed the protesters as “disgruntled individuals acting without any mandate from recognised party organs or leaders.”
“Blocking Mutfwang Not in APC’s Best Interest” — Legacy Members
The coalition argued that the APC has a long history of expanding its influence by welcoming high-profile political figures, including incumbent governors, with elaborate receptions across different states.
They questioned why the same party that has invested heavily in wooing new members would tolerate protests targeted at preventing a sitting governor—especially one from the home state of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje—from joining its fold.
“It is perplexing that the same party that recently rolled out the drums for defectors elsewhere would permit anti-defection protests here in Plateau,” the group stated.
They added that should the defection materialise, Governor Mutfwang would become “the biggest political catch the APC has recorded in Plateau State since 2013.”
The members urged the party’s leadership to investigate and sanction the masterminds of the protests, warning that failure to do so could embolden internal sabotage and weaken the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mutfwang’s Value to APC Highlighted
They described Governor Mutfwang’s broad political reach, strong state-wide structures, and cordial relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as significant advantages that could reposition the APC in Plateau State.
According to them, President Tinubu’s growing goodwill in the state is partly due to his “mutual and productive relationship” with Governor Mutfwang.
However, they noted that goodwill alone would not secure victory in 2027 unless the party strengthens its ranks and resolves internal contradictions.
Plateau’s Federal Gains Under Tinubu Cited
The coalition referenced the recent creation of the North Central Development Commission, the establishment of the Federal University of Education in Plateau, and the APC’s retention of the national chairmanship as evidence of Plateau State’s strategic alignment with the federal government.
Responding to critics who cited Mutfwang’s past political comments and the dismissal of about 4,000 tertiary institution workers as grounds for rejecting him, the group described such objections as “petty, vindictive, and politically shortsighted.”
They encouraged the governor to compassionately review the cases of the affected workers while cautioning against the weaponisation of governance decisions.
Legacy Members Endorse Rumoured Defection
In their concluding remarks, the APC Legacy Members openly welcomed the prospect of Governor Mutfwang joining the ruling party.
“As foundational members of the APC, we extend an open invitation to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to come onboard.
His entry will enhance Plateau State’s visibility and strengthen our party ahead of the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
