Just In: APC Speaks Out After Plateau Gov Claimed He's Under Pressure to Join Party Ahead of 2027
- APC in Plateau state denied Governor Mutfwang’s claim of pressure to defect from PDP
- Mutfwang maintained APC members had been urging him to join their party ahead of 2027
- APC spokesman Shittu Bamaiyi described the governor’s statement as self-deceptive and baseless
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau state has strongly denied claims by Governor Caleb Mutfwang that he is under pressure to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Muftwang insists pressure is real
Source: Twitter
Governor Mutfwang had informed a group at the Government House banquet hall in Jos over the weekend that some stakeholders of the APC had been wooing him to leave the PDP for the ruling party, Daily Trust reported.
"It is not a falsehood that they are putting pressure on me. But I told them that two individuals would sign on my behalf to defect. One is the God in heaven, and the other one is you, the citizens," Mutfwang stated.
The governor also said the majority of APC members would open their doors for him if he defected to their party.
"Actually, 60 to 70 per cent of the members of the APC in the state would accept us into their party. They are flngering their fingers believing that I would not come and join them," he also added.
APC dismisses defection claim
Reacting to Mutfwang’s remarks, the APC Acting Publicity Secretary in Plateau State, Shittu Bamaiyi, described the governor’s comments as “self-deceptive” and said no serious stakeholder had approached him to defect, Vanguard reported.
“Mutfwang is living in self-denial. If he has truly done well for Plateau people as he claims, there would be no talk of him joining another party. The people’s verdict would speak for itself," Bamaiyi said.
He added that the governor should have been bold enough to identify those allegedly urging him to cross over.
“If he truly meant well for his supporters and the state, he should have courageously named those pressuring him and explained why,” Bamaiyi said.
APC factions split over governor’s possible entry
Source: Twitter
Although some APC groups, including the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, had previously courted the governor to join the party, other stakeholders have publicly rejected the idea, insisting that Mutfwang “is not needed” in their fold.
Bamaiyi, however, noted that the party remains focused on strengthening its internal structures and preparing for the 2027 polls rather than entertaining speculation about defections.
APC chieftain fires back
However, responding to the governor’s claims, an APC chieftain, Elekwachi Samuel, while speaking with Legit.ng on Sunday, October 1, dismissed the statement as “a political gimmick,” insisting no such pressure exists.
“Governor Muftwang is simply trying to whip up sentiment. The APC has no reason to beg him to join us. Our focus is on strengthening our structures, not chasing individuals making unfounded claims,” he said.
He added that the ruling party is “too busy preparing for 2027” to engage in what he described as “imaginary recruitment drama.”
Alex Otti clears air on joining APC
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the governor of Abia state, Alex Otti dismissed reports of dumping the Labour Party for the ruling APC.
The governor stated this while reacting to social media reports alleging that he had defected to the APC. The commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu, said political propagandists are responsible for the fabricated report.
Kanu said political propagandists are unsettled by Governor Otti’s consistent delivery of good governance and his growing popularity across party lines.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
