Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has allegedly finalised arrangements to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at any moment.

The governor ascended to power on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), having won all the legal battles involved in the 2024 elections.

Those very close to the governor confirmed that the move to defect is indeed true.

When asked if he had widely consulted with his constituents, the PDP, and other key stakeholders in the state, the governor allegedly admitted that he had not conducted broad consultations but had confided in a few individuals, including his leader, Senator Jonah Jang, and some others.

Although Mutfwang did not disclose Jang’s reaction, there is speculation that he indicated he could not guarantee his success at another party. Some believe Jang agreed with Mutfwang’s decision to defect. They emphasise that if the governor joins the APC, they will remain firmly in the PDP, which they say has been a strong party since 1999, enduring many challenges.

One person allegedly stated that parties like the ANPP, CPC, and AD once competed with the PDP, but are now defunct, while the PDP remains robust due to its internal mechanisms for resolving disputes.

Mutfwang’s plan to switch to APC has caused a wider rift within the APC in the state. A faction loyal to the immediate past governor, Senator Simon Lalong, recognises Lalong and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as the true leaders who have sustained the party.

When asked how he would convince the people of the state of his impending defection, the governor reportedly claimed that it was the President of Nigeria who had invited him to work together for the benefit of the state at the national level.

However, some of his loyalists disagreed with the decision, criticising his move to leave the PDP, arguing that it was not part of their original agreement when they supported him in 2023. They further alleged that former Governor Joshua Dariye and APC State Chairman Rufus Bature are attempting to bring Mutfwang into the APC through backdoor negotiations involving the Vice President.

They also claimed they would resist the governor’s move, fearing he aims to take over party leadership, which they believe should be resisted. Others maintain that the governor’s decision is a minority view, claiming he only consulted the ‘de facto governor”, Mr. Yari Kumchi, who is considered the most influential figure within the party, as whatever he says tends to be final.

It was also alleged that one of the PDP loyalists in the state confronted Mutfwang directly, asking why he would disappoint those who had prayed for his victory in the 2023 governorship election, including those who had since passed away, to which the governor had no response.