KEY POINTS

• APC has announced the defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the PDP at its national caucus meeting in Abuja

• Party chairman Nentawe Yelwata said the move places all North Central states under APC control

• The APC used the meeting to push its electronic membership registration, setting January 30, 2026, as the deadline

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced the defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the Peoples Democratic Party, a move that further reshapes the country’s political map less than three years after the 2023 general elections.

The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yelwata, during the party’s 14th national caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre. Yelwata, who hails from Plateau State, told party leaders that the governor’s switch had effectively placed all states in the North Central geopolitical zone under APC control.

Governor Mutfwang was elected on the platform of the PDP in 2023, ending years of APC dominance in Plateau at the time. His defection makes him the latest in a series of high-profile politicians to leave the opposition for the ruling party, amid growing realignments ahead of future electoral contests.

Although Governor Mutfwang has yet to personally address the development in public, APC leaders described the move as a vote of confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the party’s reform agenda.

Consolidation drive gathers pace within the ruling party

At the caucus meeting, APC leaders framed the defection as part of a broader consolidation effort aimed at strengthening the party’s base across the federation. Yelwata said the party was focused on internal reforms and membership expansion to prepare for upcoming congresses and elections.

Addressing party members, the chairman announced January 30, 2026, as the deadline for the completion of the party’s ongoing electronic membership registration exercise. He said the initiative was designed to modernise the party’s structure and improve accountability.

“We’ve done training at the state level, we’ve done a zonal level, we’ve done a local government in most of the states,” Yelwata said. “I want to urge our stakeholders to support the nationwide rollout of this noble activity.”

He added that the digital registration process would enhance transparency, strengthen internal democracy and provide credible data on party membership nationwide.

“Let us use the opportunity to assure all the new members that they have all the rights and privileges within the party,” he said. “Both the old and new members should go to the portal and register all their members.”

According to him, the exercise is mandatory for all party members ahead of future congresses. “We expect that this drive should be done from now to January ending, 30th of January. All members must have registered and prepared for our congresses that will come ahead,” Yelwata said.

The caucus meeting drew a wide range of party heavyweights, underscoring its political significance. President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were in attendance, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and other principal officers of the National Assembly. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also attended.

Several governors elected on the APC platform were present, including Peter Mbah of Enugu, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, all of whom recently defected to the ruling party. Past governors, members of the APC national working committee and other key stakeholders also participated in the meeting.

Political observers say Governor Mutfwang’s defection is likely to have significant implications for Plateau State politics, particularly for the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions and a string of defections nationwide. For the APC, the move strengthens its claim of growing dominance and could reshape political calculations in the North Central region ahead of future elections.