Abuja, Nigeria — In a move that fundamentally reshapes the 2027 political map, the Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang Defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is now official. The ruling party announced the development during its 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday night, December 18, 2025.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who also hails from Plateau State, made the announcement during his first strategic appearance since emerging as chairman in July. He noted that the Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang Defection marks a historic moment for the party. Specifically, the APC now controls every state in the North Central geopolitical zone, solidifying a “clean sweep” of the region.
The decision follows months of internal strife and leadership crises within the PDP. Notably, the governor’s political advisers described the APC as the “safest option” for Plateau State. He explained that aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s governance agenda was a strategic move to secure federal support for the state.
- Internal Crises: The PDP has struggled with factionalism, leading to a wave of high-profile exits.
- Development Goals: Aligning with the Federal Government is expected to attract more infrastructure projects to Plateau.
- Security Concerns: The governor cited the need for closer cooperation with federal security agencies.
Consequently, Mutfwang joins a growing list of governors who have abandoned the opposition to join the ruling party’s “Renewed Hope” movement. This realignment follows the earlier Senator Ireti Kingibe Defection which also signaled shifting loyalties in the FCT.
President Bola Tinubu presided over the caucus meeting, which welcomed six other governors who recently defected from the PDP. These include:
- Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers)
- Peter Mbah (Enugu)
- Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)
- Douye Diri (Bayelsa)
- Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)
- Agbu Kefas (Taraba)
With the Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang Defection, the APC now boasts a commanding majority. Indeed, according to current List of Nigerian State Governors, the ruling party now controls 27 out of 36 states. The PDP is left with a significantly diminished caucus as it struggles to maintain its status as the primary opposition.
Following the announcement, Prof. Yilwatda issued a directive regarding the party’s digital reforms. Furthermore, he set an ultimatum of January 30, 2026, for all members to complete their electronic registration.
“Both old and new members must go to the portal and register. This will ensure data integrity ahead of our upcoming congresses,” the Chairman stated. Ultimately, the APC aims to use this digital drive to strengthen internal democracy. This technological shift is a core objective of the APC’s 2025 strategic roadmap.
