Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), revealing that President Bola Tinubu personally extended multiple invitations for him to join the party.
Speaking on Thursday shortly after his defection, during a meeting with political appointees and stakeholders at the Government House in Jos, Governor Mutfwang emphasised that the move was not driven by personal gain but by respect for President Tinubu and the broader interests of Plateau State.
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“President Tinubu has shown a special interest in Plateau State and its challenges,” Mutfwang said.
He disclosed that the President had invited him to join the APC on several occasions, invitations he had politely declined until recently.
Mutfwang praised Tinubu for maintaining a cordial relationship despite his earlier refusals, stating: “I pay my respects to President Tinubu for honouring our earlier decisions not to move to the APC and still maintaining a cordial relationship with us despite that.”
The governor noted pressures from other prominent figures, including APC governors, but said he remained steadfast until the deepening crisis within the PDP at the national level forced a reassessment.
“Until recently, when it became clear that the PDP at the national level has undeniable problems with its structure, the need to decamp to another party was already quieted,” he explained.
“We have zero challenges at the state level but all our efforts are vain without a solid structure at the national level.”
Mutfwang warned that remaining in the PDP posed significant risks to the mandate given by Plateau residents, adding: “The risks involved in staying back in the PDP are too high for us to carelessly gamble with… Bearing in mind the emotional torture our dear people went through, we can’t subject ourselves to another experience like that.”
Read the related story on New Daily Prime:Plateau PDP disowns group seeking Mutfwang’s move to APC
He acknowledged past tensions with the Plateau APC but highlighted the favourable treatment from the Tinubu administration.
“Although we’ve had our issues with Plateau APC, we can’t deny the favour and cordiality with which the Tinubu-led administration has related with us.”
The governor expressed optimism about future benefits, saying Plateau now stands to gain appointments and favours that will positively impact the state. “Already there’s good news to be announced soon. Stay tuned,” he teased.
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