APC Chairman Calls for Unity, Urges Supporters to Cease Attacks on Plateau Governor
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has appealed to his supporters to end all hostilities against Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, following the resolution of their past political differences.
Speaking in Jos on Monday, Prof. Yilwatda stated that any previous disagreements between him and Governor Mutfwang were strictly political, stemming from their contest for the 2023 governorship election, which Mutfwang won as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He emphasized that there were never any personal animosities.
“We never had any personal problems, and we never had any personal grudges. What we had was a political difference,” Yilwatda said. “We’ve closed those gaps, and we’re working together.”
The reconciliation follows Governor Mutfwang’s defection from the PDP to the APC earlier this year. Yilwatda noted that their now-shared party affiliation renders past political conflicts obsolete. He described their new relationship as a “strong partnership” focused on the collective good of Plateau State.
For over a year, loyalists of both politicians had engaged in persistent public attacks and insults, often framed as defending their principals. Yilwatda directly addressed these factions, urging an end to such behaviour. “If you have any political difference with Mutfwang because of me or for any reason, please, let bygones be bygones and let peace reign supreme in our state,” he stated.
The APC leader framed the unity as a strategic necessity for advancing the state’s interests. “Today, I want to thank God for two reasons. We’ve united with my brother, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in the same party, and we will provide the best we can,” he said, adding that the coalition aims to ensure Plateau receives its due share of development at both state and national levels.
This public call for de-escalation signifies a major political truce in Plateau State. Observers note that the merger of the two prominent figures—a former federal minister and the sitting governor—could reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections. The success of this ceasefire, however, hinges on the response from their respective support bases, whose prolonged clashes have often dominated local discourse.
The development also underscores the fluidity of Nigeria’s political alliances, where post-election defections frequently reconfigure regional power dynamics. For the APC, consolidating control in Plateau State through the governor’s inclusion strengthens its foothold in the North Central region. For Governor Mutfwang, aligning with the ruling federal party may facilitate smoother access to central government projects and resources.
The immediate next step is the cessation of inflammatory rhetoric from both sides, a test of discipline for party loyalists accustomed to political combat.
