A former member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Solomon Maren, has suffered a significant setback in his political career. On Monday, his supporters refused to follow him in defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Maren had represented the Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
According to sources, Maren had expected his supporters across Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas (LGAs) to join him in his defection. However, his key allies and supporters instead staged a rally in Mangu, where they endorsed Governor Caleb Mutfwang for a second term and reaffirmed their commitment to the PDP and Mutfwang’s leadership.
The “Mutfwang Phase Two Movement 2027,” led by Dauda Nathaniel Kyak, a former senior legislative aide to Maren, organized the rally. Kyak expressed the group’s refusal to follow Maren’s defection to the APC, citing concerns that the move would harm Maren’s political career. The gathering, which included coordinators from both LGAs, political appointees, and polling unit canvassers, unanimously endorsed Mutfwang for a second term due to his perceived achievements in developing rural and urban communities.
Kyak praised the supporters for their loyalty to the PDP, stating that Maren’s exit had freed them from political constraints and allowed them to openly support Governor Mutfwang. The development is seen as a significant blow to Maren’s political ambitions, as he had reportedly banked on his supporters to join him in his defection.
The PDP remains a major political force in Nigeria, and the APC is the current ruling party. The defection of politicians between parties is not uncommon in Nigerian politics. However, the refusal of Maren’s supporters to follow him in defecting to the APC is notable, as it suggests that they are committed to the PDP and Governor Mutfwang’s leadership.
The endorsement of Governor Mutfwang for a second term by the “Mutfwang Phase Two Movement 2027” is a significant development in the state’s political landscape. It remains to be seen how this will impact the political career of Solomon Maren and the broader political dynamics in the region.
