Vice President Kashim Shettima has told Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, that his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) has further strengthened the ruling party, adding that President Bola Tinubu has assured him of a prominent and respected position within the party.
Shettima made the remarks while leading a high-powered delegation to Mutfwang’s formal declaration for the APC after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He described the governor’s move as a unifying force and a defining moment for both Plateau State and the ruling party.
According to the vice president, the APC remains a stable and cohesive party built on teamwork, unity and inclusive leadership that prioritises the welfare of the vulnerable. He noted that Mutfwang’s entry symbolised a broader national push towards political harmony and stability.
Governor Mutfwang explained that his decision followed months of consultations with President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and other senior party leaders, describing the move as a strategic repositioning of Plateau ahead of the 2027 general elections. He stressed that the move should be seen as a realignment rather than a defection, aimed at repositioning the state to benefit more from democratic governance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also addressed the gathering, described the Tinubu administration as the most inclusive and religiously tolerant in Nigeria’s history. He said the president has consistently demonstrated fairness and equal respect for citizens of all faiths through policy decisions and leadership style.
The event marked a major political shift in Plateau State, attracting a wide array of national political figures and signalling what party leaders described as a new political direction for the state and the North-Central region.
Shettima highlighted Plateau’s historic contributions to national unity, recalling the leadership legacy of General Yakubu Gowon and the sacrifices of military officers from the state. He also announced several federal interventions for Plateau, including the mobilisation of contractors for the Akwanga–Jos highway within weeks, the selection of Plateau as the pilot state for the national livestock development programme, and approval for the recruitment of 1,000 youths as forest guards.
In his remarks, Mutfwang pledged total support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the administration’s efforts to stabilise the economy and tackle insecurity. He expressed confidence that Plateau would deliver massive electoral support for the APC in 2027.
The governor assured residents that his administration remains committed to preserving Plateau’s heritage, promoting peace and ending years of political rivalry and division in the state. He told party stakeholders that his entry into the APC was aimed at adding value and ensuring the state moves forward with a shared vision.
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe, described Mutfwang’s move as a homecoming and a decisive step toward unifying Plateau’s political landscape. He said the APC had absorbed structures from the PDP, Labour Party, PRP and NNPP, making it the dominant political force across all wards and local government areas in the state.
Goshwe assured the governor of the party’s full support for his re-election in 2027 and predicted a sweeping victory for President Tinubu in Plateau. He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to justice, peace and unity, promising equitable opportunities and renewed stability across the state.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio reiterated that the Tinubu-led administration has entrenched national cohesion, equity and inclusion, stressing that no government since independence has demonstrated such balance in governance.
He congratulated Mutfwang, saying the political move had placed Plateau at the centre of national relevance and strengthened the APC’s foothold in the North-Central zone. Akpabio added that with Plateau’s alignment, all states in the region are now under the APC, describing the development as politically strategic and nationally significant.
