Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state after securing an overwhelming victory in the party’s primary election conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Governor Mutfwang defeated fellow aspirant, Yilchini Bida, in the exercise held ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the results at the party secretariat in Jos on Friday, chairman of the governorship primary election committee, Fidelis Mnyim, disclosed that a total of 236,405 votes were recorded during the primary.
According to the results announced, Bida secured 3,070 votes, while Mutfwang polled 233,335 votes to win the contest by a wide margin.
Mnyim declared that Mutfwang satisfied all constitutional and electoral requirements of the party and was therefore returned elected as the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State.
He explained that results of the State House of Assembly primaries were not announced at the state collation centre because party guidelines and provisions of the Electoral Act require such declarations to be made at constituency level.
According to him, the assembly primaries were conducted at ward level before collation in the respective constituencies, warning that any fresh announcement at the state level could violate established electoral procedures.
Mnyim described the exercise as credible, peaceful and transparent, while urging all victorious candidates to work towards reconciliation and unity within the party ahead of the next general election.
“The victory belongs to the entire APC family, and all those who emerged successful should unite members for the task ahead,” he said.
Also speaking, Plateau State APC Chairman, Rufus Bature, commended party members for their participation in the primaries across the state.
He also praised security agencies, electoral officials and stakeholders for ensuring a smooth conduct of the exercise, while calling on members to mobilise support for the party ahead of 2027.
Results from the various local government areas showed Mutfwang dominated the contest across the state. In Mangu LGA, he scored 28,095 votes against Bida’s 46 votes, while in Jos North he polled 26,652 against 68 votes.
The governor also secured 19,595 votes in Kanam, 17,208 in Shendam, 16,182 in Jos South and 14,285 in Langtang North.
Other results showed he polled 13,050 votes in Pankshin, 12,574 in Wase, 11,435 in Qua’an Pan and 11,225 votes in Bokkos.
Political observers said the outcome reflected Mutfwang’s strong influence within the party structure and growing support among APC members across the three senatorial zones of the state.
Party stakeholders also described the result as a strong endorsement of the governor’s administration, particularly in areas of infrastructure development, youth engagement, education, security and sports development.
With the conclusion of the primary election, attention is now expected to shift to preparations for the 2027 governorship election, where Mutfwang will represent the APC in Plateau State.
