Despite the initial opposition by the Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the state APC has now welcomed him and has pledged to support him to succeed in his new political journey.

The APC had earlier vehemently kicked against the idea of Mutfwang joining the party.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Jos, the party elders categorically stated that they would do everything to prevent the governor from joining the party.

The women’s wing led by Mrs. Elizabeth Yerse also held a rally where they said they did not want Mutfwang to join them, while different youth groups held press conferences and also kicked against the idea.

However, following the announcement of his defection on Thursday, the state party chapter has now welcomed the governor, stating that his joining the party will be a great asset to the state in the long run.

The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Shittu Bamaiyi, who had been one of the staunchest voices against the move, in an interview with journalists on Friday, said the governor’s defection was one of the best things to happen to the party at the state level.

Bamaiyi said after all that had happened, the party was not surprised that Mutfwang took the bold step in joining the APC, which he described as a non-discriminatory party open to all eligible Nigerians.”

“We’re not surprised by the governor’s decision to join the APC, and we’re ready to give him all the support he needs to succeed,” Bamaiyi said in the interview.

“People must understand that joining a political party is the right of every citizen of Nigeria,” he said.

He stressed that joining a political party is a fundamental right of every Nigerian and no one has the right to stop others from jumping ship.

“While some people have the right to be annoyed, others also have the right to be happy. And we are happy that Gov. Mutfwang has decided to join the APC and he will be a great asset not only to the state chapter but at the national level. Whether you like it or not, our number in the APC has increased.

“The governor is not new to party politics. He has been in a political party, and as such, he knows what to do. We expect that he is going to carry everyone along.

“So, he is welcome to the APC. We are going to give him the needed support,” Shittu added.

Ajuji Ahmed, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has criticized former party members who left to join other political parties.

Ahmed said those who left the NNPP would experience rough road and challenges in their new parties.

He made these comments during the party’s 10th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

He described the ex-members as “renegades” while noting that although the NNPP may not be large, it is stronger and more united than many other parties.

Ahmed urged party members to ignore those who defected, saying their decision would only bring them hardship.

He added that leaving a peaceful party for troubled ones was a poor choice.

He also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the NNPP has remained stable despite efforts by outsiders to create problems.

According to Ahmed, the NNPP has no internal divisions and is not controlled by any individual.

He stressed that the party is not split into factions or weakened by external influence, but remains united and committed to its goals and guiding principles.

Ahmed said: “I call upon you to please forget entirely the antics of renegades who call themselves defectors.

“May their road continue to be rough.

“If a man or some men decided to jump from calm waters only to land in not just a frying pan but directly into a burning fire, we wish them a safe journey.

“We are not fragmented into three parts with two party chairmen. We have not been captured and broken and made ineffective by a single omnipotent external force, we are NNPP. We are united.”

President Bola Tinubu has assured of his commitment to implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Nigeria.

This was as he urged State governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure that they don’t interfere with funds of the local governments.

Speaking during the APC Caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Tinubu said the implementation must be practical and effective.

According to Tinubu: “Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgement. What can we do with it, and how well we can position our country and our party?

“To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. Let us give them. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate.

“We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the supreme court.”

The president also charged the governors to be flexible and be involved in the happenings in their respective states.

“You have to navigate this country; whether we like it or not, you are in the leadership position that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible and get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” Tinubu said.

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally invited him to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to him, after months of consultations and personal introspection, he had to make the move in the interest of the state.

Mutfwang, who made the revelation on Thursday shortly after defecting to the APC, said he did not make the move for personal gain but as a form of respect to Tinubu, who has shown a special interest in Plateau State and its challenges.

Mutfwang has made it clear that though the President had extended the invitation to him to join the APC on several occasions, he had politely declined.

“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,” he said during a meeting with political appointees and stakeholders at the Government House in Jos.

He noted that there had also been the beckoning of highly placed personalities, including fellow governors from the APC, too, but the whole time, he stood by his decision.

He however, stated that what finally changed his mind was the challenges and chaos within the PDP at the national level.

“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 said.

“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 tell reassuringly when and how the crisis will end, or what wins or losses could be incurred.

“Bearing in mind the emotional torture our dear people went through, we can’t, by our actions or inactions, subject ourselves to another experience like that.”

Gov. Mutfwang confessed that he could have easily moved to another party but that history had taught him that it is one thing to be voted massively, and another to make sure the votes count.

“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. And since the President didn’t try to force us to join the APC before things went completely south in the PDP, it’s fair enough that we considered joining the APC.

“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,” he added.

Gombe State’s 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Mohammad Barde, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Barde, who came second in Gombe State’s 2023 governorship election behind Governor Inuwa Yahaya, said he joined the ADC as part of his preparations for the 2027 general elections.

In an interview after validating his ADC membership, Barde criticised the current state of insecurity and poor infrastructure in Gombe and across the country, asserting that the ADC is committed to addressing these challenges.

He expressed confidence in the party’s ability to bring positive change, highlighting its focus on inclusive leadership and equal opportunities for all.

Barde also outlined ADC’s plan to hold state congresses and a national convention in February 2026, urging members to participate in membership revalidation and mobilise new supporters ahead of the events.

Supporters of former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, under the banner of the Bafarawa Akida Movement, have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

The decision was announced on Wednesday following a consultative meeting of elders and leaders of the movement from all 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.

Speaking after the meeting, the movement’s chairman, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, said the defection followed extensive consultations and reflected the collective decision of members.

He added that the elders resolved to support the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, citing its performance and cordial relationship with Bafarawa.

Maishanu confirmed that the decision to join the APC was formal and would be followed by further consultations to complete necessary procedures.

He dismissed claims linking the move to 2027 elections or external political pressure.

Meanwhile, Bafarawa reiterated that he had quit active politics and had not personally joined the APC, but said he supported the decision of his followers.

A member of the Abia State House of Assembly, representing Ukwa East constituency, Lewis Chinemerem Obianyi, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the Labour Party, LP.

The lawmaker announced his defection on Tuesday at the floor of the House during the plenary session.

While tendering his official resignation from the PDP, Obianyi declared   his new political affiliation with the Labour Party.

Obianyi is regarded as one of the most outspoken lawmakers in the Abia State House of Assembly, in addition to the number of bills he sponsored.

A close associate of the lawmaker, who spoke on the development on Tuesday, said the crises rocking the PDP was one of the reasons that influenced the defection.

Fresh revelation has emerged on why former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to publicly support a successor ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

The explanation is contained in a newly released book that explores Buhari’s leadership approach, security mindset, and management of power within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Titled “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”, the book was unveiled in Abuja and provides behind-the-scenes accounts of critical decisions taken during Buhari’s presidency.

Authored by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), the 600-page work compiles reflections from senior officials who closely worked with the former president.

A key revelation came from the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, who addressed the long-running debate over Buhari’s refusal to anoint a preferred candidate during the APC presidential primary.

According to Bichi, Buhari intentionally avoided endorsing any aspirant to safeguard lives and maintain internal party cohesion.

He disclosed that intelligence reports at the time indicated that openly backing a candidate could expose such an individual to grave security risks amid an intense and highly competitive political atmosphere.

Bichi noted that Buhari’s silence was often misinterpreted as a lack of interest, but it was actually a deliberate, security-driven strategy aimed at preventing internal crisis and possible disintegration within the ruling party.

He noted that the former president believed that publicly naming a successor would heighten rivalries, increase hostility, and potentially place the endorsed individual in physical danger.

“In those months, knives were out; politically and, as security professionals know too well, sometimes literally,” Bichi stated in the book.

He added that Buhari chose to absorb criticism rather than risk destabilising the party or endangering human life.

The former DSS chief said Buhari felt that allowing the primary process to play out freely helped distribute political risk among aspirants and prevented the concentration of hostility on one individual.

The book presentation which attracted a high-profile audience at the Presidential Villa, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, and members of Buhari’s family.