The Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a major political crisis following a wave of high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), triggered by the exit of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The defections intensified after the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, publicly announced Mutfwang’s defection on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Even before the governor’s formal resignation from the PDP, uncertainty surrounding his political future prompted several top government officials—commissioners, local government chairmen, and key aides—to abandon the party and align with the APC.
One of the earliest to resign was the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti, who submitted his resignation letter to the PDP chairman of Abba Na Shehu Ward in Jos North Local Government Area. Datti said his decision followed “careful consideration and wide consultations.”
He was quickly joined by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Ibrahim Musa Ashoms, who represents Jos East LGA. Ashoms formally resigned from the PDP on December 29, 2025, stating in a letter to the Zandi Ward chairman that his decision was based on personal grounds.
Also exiting the party was the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, who tendered his resignation to the PDP chairman of Kwa Ward in Qua’anpan LGA, citing personal reasons.
On December 31, 2025, another heavyweight in the Mutfwang administration, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Usman, resigned from the PDP. In his letter, addressed to the party leadership, Usman said his decision was guided by his personal interest and that of the people of Kanam LGA, whom he represents.
The defections were not limited to the state executive council. The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Hon. Amalau Samuel Amalau, and the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, John Christopher, also resigned from the PDP, with several councillors reportedly moving with them.
In a related development, the governor’s Liaison Officer for Jos North–North State Constituency, Hon. Nura Shehu, resigned from his appointment on Friday, December 19, 2025. He said his decision was driven by personal conviction and unwavering principles.
“After careful reflection and in line with my personal convictions, I am formally resigning my appointment as liaison officer representing Jos North–North State Constituency,” Shehu stated.
Governor Mutfwang later formalised his exit from the PDP in a letter dated December 29, 2025, addressed to the party’s Ward Chairman of Ampang West Ward in Mangu Local Government Area.
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the PDP with immediate effect,” the governor said.
He thanked the party for providing him with the platform to participate in the democratic process and expressed appreciation to party leaders, members, and supporters for their backing over the years.
“Given the realities of the moment and guided by my commitment to purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and service delivery, I am compelled to seek an alternative political platform,” Mutfwang added.
With the governor now officially in the APC, political observers expect more appointees and grassroots party structures in Plateau State to follow suit, further weakening the PDP’s hold on the state.
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