Immediate Past Elected Councillors Forum of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter, has raised concern over reports alleging that Governor Caleb Mutfwang may be considering a defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The position was made known at a press briefing held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos, where the forum disowned an earlier statement credited to a group it described as unknown within Plateau’s political landscape.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, its Chairman, Hon. Dabit John Dashe, said the intervention became necessary following a statement issued on November 18 by a body calling itself the Coalition of Concerned Former APC Councillors and Grassroots Mobilizers (CFACGM). He insisted the group was non-existent and lacked the authority to speak for former or current councillors in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Chairman of the forum, Hon. Dabit John Dashe, said the forum felt compelled to respond to a statement issued on November 18th by a body calling itself the Coalition of Concerned Former APC Councillors and Grassroots Mobilizers (CFACGM). He said the group did not represent former or current councillors in the state and had no authority to speak on matters relating to the party’s direction.
According to him, “We, the Immediate Past Councillors Forum of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter, invites you today to address a press statement issued on November 18th, 2025, by a non-existent and faceless group claiming to be the Coalition of Concerned Former APC Councillors and Grassroots Mobilizers (CFACGM).
“This group has called on the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mannesseh Mutfwang, to join the APC. We view this as a desperate attempt by the Governor and his agents to smuggle him into the party through the backdoor. We urge the general public to note that this group does not represent the interests of neither the former nor the present Councillors in Plateau State.
” The Governor has consistently stated that there’s no APC in Plateau State and has no intention of joining a party on the verge of collapse. His recent desperation to join the APC is therefore puzzling.”
He noted that the forum’s concerns were rooted in issues it believed were central to public governance, particularly the disengagement of thousands of youths and the sack of elected councils. He said these actions formed part of the reasons the forum did not consider the governor’s alleged interest in defecting to the APC as suitable for the party.
He continued, “We commend Plateau people for enduring the Mutfwang regime’s maladministration, which has led to suffering, homelessness, and job losses. The Mutfwang’s government has disengaged over 4000 Plateau youths in the State, the same government ignored the supreme court judgement and sacked democratically elected Chairmen and Councillors from all the 17 local governments of Plateau State.
“Such actions disqualify Governor Mutfwang from joining our progressive party, APC. We call on the APC leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman of the APC Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, State Chairman Rt Hon. Rufus Bature, and our State leader Rt Hon. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong, to all reject Governor Mutfwang’s bid to join the APC.”
The forum also linked its position to the need for internal party coherence as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections. It argued that while the governor’s recent posture was surprising, the party must remain guided by its internal values and past political developments.
“We reject any attempt to bring Mutfwang into our party and urge him to remain in the PDP, allowing us to work as opposition and hold him accountable, thereby strengthening our democracy.
” We therefore used this opportunity to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his re-election 2027 and also pass vote of confidence on our Workaholic National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.” He added.
