Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally invited him on several occasions to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the revelation on Thursday shortly after formally defecting to the APC, saying his decision was driven by the overriding interest of Plateau State rather than personal ambition.
According to Mutfwang, he had previously declined the President’s invitations out of principle, even as Tinubu maintained a cordial relationship with him despite his refusal to defect.
“I pay my respects to President Tinubu for honouring our earlier decisions not to move to the APC and still maintaining a cordial relationship with us despite that,” the governor said while addressing political appointees and stakeholders at the Government House in Jos.
He noted that beyond the President, several influential figures, including APC governors, had also reached out to him, but he remained resolute until recent developments within his former party.
Mutfwang explained that his eventual decision to dump the PDP was triggered by what he described as deepening structural and leadership crises at the national level of the party.
“Until recently, when it became clear that the PDP at the national level has undeniable problems with its structure, the need to decamp to another party was already quieted. We have zero challenges at the state level, but all our efforts are vain without a solid structure at the national level,” he stated.
He warned that remaining in the PDP posed serious political risks, stressing that the uncertainty surrounding the party’s internal crisis could jeopardize the mandate given to him by the people of Plateau State.
“The risks involved in staying back in the PDP are too high for us to carelessly gamble with the mandate Plateau people gave us. No one can reassuringly tell when and how the crisis will end, or what wins or losses could be incurred,” Mutfwang said.
The governor recalled the emotional trauma previously experienced by Plateau residents due to political instability, insisting he could not allow a repeat through inaction or miscalculation.
Mutfwang further revealed that while he could have defected to another political party, experience had taught him that electoral victory alone is insufficient without a strong national structure to protect and validate votes.
“Although we’ve had our issues with Plateau APC, we can’t deny the favour and cordiality with which the Tinubu-led administration has related with us,” he said.
He added that the President’s decision not to pressure him before the PDP crisis worsened played a major role in his eventual acceptance of the APC invitation.
“We have a chance to attract and be entitled to so many good things — from appointments to favours that will richly impact Plateau. Is it really wisdom to forfeit all that? No. Already, there’s good news to be announced soon. Stay tuned,” the governor concluded.
The defection marks a major political shift in Plateau State and further deepens the crisis facing the PDP at the national level.
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