Tinubu And Mutfwang

Fresh spark In Plateau Over 2027 Endorsements Of Tinubu And Mutfwang

Political tension is brewing in Plateau State following controversial endorsements by the All Progressives Congress (APC) North Central Forum, which declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang as presidential and governorship candidates respectively for the 2027 general elections. The move has sparked unease, particularly within the camp of former Governor Jonah Jang, known today as the ‘Time Is Now’ group.

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The anxiety stems from the dual endorsements that span across party lines. While Tinubu remains a central figure in the APC, Governor Mutfwang is a card-carrying member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The North Central APC Forum’s move is seen by many in Plateau politics as more than a symbolic gesture—it hints at a looming realignment that could deeply reshape political allegiances in the state.

Notably, the endorsements were announced during the North Central Zonal Congress, an event observers say was supposed to be strictly about internal party elections. According to sources close to the Jang-led Redemption camp, no mention of endorsements was made during the formal proceedings. This disconnect between the Congress agenda and the subsequent announcement has raised questions over the legitimacy and intent of the endorsements.

“We were there for the election, and nothing was said about endorsements,” a source from the camp stated. “The story said APC North Central Forum, please note that. It’s clearly not from the PDP.”

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The fallout from the endorsement has been particularly troubling for PDP loyalists who now fear that their governor might be inching closer to a formal defection. These fears aren’t new, but the endorsements appear to confirm what many have suspected since Mutfwang’s legal battles ended at the Supreme Court.

Former member of the House of Representatives under the PDP, Bitrus Kaze, was candid in his reaction. For him, the writing has long been on the wall.

“Since the close of post-election tribunal cases and the Supreme Court’s decision affirming Mutfwang’s mandate, it became obvious to any keen observer that Governor Mutfwang, in spirit, was more in sync with Tinubu than with the PDP,” Kaze said. “What remained in the PDP for him was only his body.”

Kaze further noted the political irony in Plateau State, where despite the governor being a PDP member, the state House of Assembly is void of any PDP representation. The speaker of the Assembly is a lone non-APC member, an unusual situation that Kaze believes highlights Mutfwang’s alienation from his own party structure.

He said: “I would not be surprised if eventually, we see Mutfwang join Tinubu in the APC. If APC North Central Forum is already endorsing both Tinubu and Mutfwang, despite Mutfwang still officially being in the PDP, it suggests a deeper political realignment in the works.”

When asked about the future of the PDP in Plateau if Mutfwang defects, Kaze was pragmatic, saying the party’s challenges long predated any potential shift in allegiance.

“It’s not about the fate of PDP on the Plateau per se,” he explained. “I had made a lot of noise about the PDP’s lack of structure going into the 2023 elections. The only thing that saved the PDP was the Supreme Court. And we all know the Supreme Court is the final arbiter, not necessarily the one that is always right.”

His remarks echo the sentiments of many Plateau residents who now question the sustainability of the PDP’s grip on the state. The looming possibility of Mutfwang’s defection is not just a personal political decision—it could redefine the entire power structure in the region.

While the governor has not made any public statements indicating a plan to leave the PDP, his silence amid the swirling rumors only adds to the speculation. For now, the endorsement by the APC North Central Forum remains a flashpoint, intensifying political intrigue and uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.

As Plateau waits, one thing is clear: the political landscape in the state is shifting, and stakeholders from both the APC and PDP will need to recalibrate their strategies to stay relevant in what promises to be an unpredictable electoral cycle.