The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s defection amounted to a betrayal of public trust.
The PDP, through its state publicity secretary, Choji Dalyop, had earlier accused the governor of abandoning the party and the people who supported him, describing his resignation as a breach of trust.
Responding in a statement issued on Tuesday, the APC acting publicity secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, described the PDP’s position as unfounded and poorly thought out. He said the governor’s move was neither abrupt nor isolated, noting that Mutfwang defected alongside several prominent PDP figures, including senators and local government chairmen.
Bamaiyi questioned the PDP’s claim that the governor failed to consult party leaders before leaving, arguing that the scale of the defection showed otherwise. He said a statement by former governor and PDP leader in the state, Senator Jonah Jang, indicated that Mutfwang had consulted widely before making the decision.
The APC further described the defection as deliberate and well planned, dismissing suggestions that it weakened public confidence. According to the party, remaining in the PDP would have been politically unwise given the party’s internal challenges in the state.
The statement added that the allegation of betrayal was misplaced, pointing out that the governor and those who joined him commanded the support of a large majority of PDP followers in Plateau State. It stressed that Mutfwang acted within his constitutional rights and had been formally received by the APC.
Bamaiyi also dismissed what he described as threats from the PDP, saying attempts to blame the APC were unwarranted.
Meanwhile, former Plateau State governor and senator, Simon Lalong, welcomed Mutfwang into the APC during a stakeholders’ meeting at Kalwa House in Jos. He described the defection as a significant opportunity for political unity in the state.
Lalong said that in line with the APC constitution, he would formally hand over the leadership of the party in Plateau State to Governor Mutfwang, explaining that a sitting governor automatically assumes leadership of the party in the state.
