The North Central All Progressives Congress Forum has sharply criticised the protest carried out by a faction of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, over the possibility that Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, may soon join the party.
The Forum, which has consistently urged the governor to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and embrace the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general election, said the demonstration that took place in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Saturday was not only unnecessary but an attempt to undermine internal party democracy. Okay News reports.
According to the Forum, Governor Mutfwang’s potential defection is expected to bolster the party’s strength in the region and contribute to the All Progressives Congress’ national strategy as the 2027 presidential race approaches. However, some Plateau State All Progressives Congress leaders remain firmly against the move.
During a reception ceremony organised in Jos to welcome new members into the All Progressives Congress, a group of party supporters arrived with placards rejecting any plan to admit the governor into the party. They insisted that the Plateau State chief executive officer should not be allowed entry under any circumstance.
Reacting to the development, the Forum released a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga. The Forum described the protesters’ actions as undemocratic and stated that no citizen, including a sitting governor, can be prevented from joining a political organisation of their choice.
“The North-Central APC Forum condemns the actions of some Plateau APC leaders who mobilised supporters to parade placards rejecting Governor Caleb Mutfwang during Saturday’s reception for defectors in Jos. While reiterating our call for the governor to join the APC, we insist it is undemocratic and unconstitutional for any party leader to attempt to stop him or anyone else from joining,” the statement noted.
The Forum alleged that those resisting the governor’s move were motivated by personal ambition ahead of the 2027 elections. It also insisted that none of the opposing leaders had the political strength to defeat Governor Mutfwang in any electoral contest.
“These individuals are acting not in the party’s interest but for selfish political reasons as they eye the 2027 elections. We are certain that none of them has the capacity to defeat Governor Mutfwang in any election, regardless of the platform he contests on,” the group added.
The Forum called on Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, to intervene in the crisis. It further threatened to directly report any party leader sabotaging efforts to accommodate the governor.
It also appealed to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum to ensure that the Plateau State governor is given full room to join the party without undue internal resistance.
The Forum argued that accepting Governor Mutfwang into the All Progressives Congress aligns with its earlier pledge to deliver six million votes to President Tinubu in 2027. It insisted that those opposing the move lack the political capacity to drive electoral victory.
Furthermore, the Forum criticised attacks from some Plateau State All Progressives Congress leaders who faulted its earlier public appeals to the governor. It warned that those leaders should desist or face exposure at the highest political level.
Recalling events in October, the Forum reiterated its rejection of a resolution passed during a Plateau All Progressives Congress stakeholders meeting that opposed Governor Mutfwang’s admission. It alleged that genuine North Central stakeholders were not invited to the meeting, describing it as politically manipulated.
The Forum also pointed out that several leaders opposing the governor’s defection had failed to deliver their polling units during the last election cycle, including the party’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate.
“It is not simply about rejecting Governor Mutfwang; the real question is who can win the governorship for the APC. Many of those parading themselves as stakeholders are not competent or committed party members,” the statement added.
The Forum emphasised that the All Progressives Congress must prioritise electoral success and unity ahead of the 2027 election cycle instead of allowing personal interest to derail strategy.
