APC National Chair Cannot Stop Muftwang’s Defection Bid – Forum

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has said that the party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, does not have the authority to prevent Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State from joining the APC. The Forum, which has been advocating for Muftwang to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, issued the […]

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has said that the party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, does not have the authority to prevent Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State from joining the APC.

The Forum, which has been advocating for Muftwang to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, issued the position in a statement on Tuesday. Some Plateau APC stakeholders have openly opposed the governor’s possible defection.

On October 17, 2025, Plateau APC leaders convened a stakeholders’ meeting where a motion moved by former Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, expressed opposition to Muftwang’s potential entry into the party.

The North-Central APC Forum believes the resistance is influenced by internal political interests, noting that Yilwatda — the party’s 2023 governorship candidate — had contested against Muftwang in the last election.

In the statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum said that under APC procedures, only Muftwang’s ward in Mangu Local Government Area has the authority to admit him into the party.

“The national chairman of the party has no role to play in bringing Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the APC. It is only Mutfwang’s ward in Mangu that has the right to admit him as a member,” the Forum stated.

It urged party stakeholders to allow the ward structures to operate without interference, adding that it has continued to encourage Muftwang to consider joining the APC.

“For over two years now, we have been trying to convince Muftwang to come to the APC, and he is still consulting. Professor Yilwatda cannot stop him if he decides to come,” the Forum said.

Zazzaga noted that many residents of the state support the governor based on his performance, adding that local stakeholders would stand by whatever decision he makes regarding his political future.

The Forum also said any attempt to block Muftwang’s membership bid would not align with the APC constitution. It called on the party leadership in Mangu Ward to make a public invitation to the governor should he choose to join.

According to the Forum, it remains committed to encouraging the governor’s defection, despite any internal disagreements within the party.

“The fact remains that the national chairman has no right to stop Muftwang from coming. We are calling on the APC chapter in his ward to come out publicly to ask him to join the party,” the statement added.

The group further maintained that its push for Muftwang’s defection is driven by what it believes reflects the wishes of many APC members in Plateau State.