Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has explained why he opposed the expulsion of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and other members of the G5 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as ill-conceived and divisive.
Speaking with journalists in Jos, shortly after a defection rally, Mutfwang said the decision to expel Wike and other party stalwarts was taken without proper consultation and only worsened the long-running crisis within the main opposition party.
According to him, the action was imposed by a few individuals and lacked the broad consensus required for a decision of such magnitude.
Wike and 11 other PDP chieftains were suspended during a factional convention held at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a motion moved by party elder Chief Olabode George, who accused them of disloyalty, insubordination and other anti-party activities.
Those expelled alongside Wike included former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, factional National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Director of Organisation Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), factional Acting Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, factional Board of Trustees Chairman Mao Ohuabunwa, as well as Austin Nwachukwu, George Turner, Abraham Amali and South-South zonal leader Dan Orbih.
Mutfwang and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri immediately dissociated themselves from the action.
In a swift counter-move, the Wike–Anyanwu faction announced the expulsion of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, newly elected factional Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, former Deputy Chairman Chief Bode George, Senator Ben Obi, and others.
Reflecting on the unfolding crisis, Mutfwang said his objection to the expulsions was based on principle.
“I objected out of principle because it was done surreptitiously. There was no conversation around it that I was privy to, and I felt that a decision of such magnitude should not just be taken by a few people,” he said.
He added that the expulsions served no constructive purpose and only deepened internal divisions.
“I didn’t see the purpose it was going to achieve. It was only going to deepen the divide, and as you can see, the situation has worsened since then,” the governor said.
Mutfwang argued that the crisis escalated further after the expulsions, describing subsequent legal battles as strategic missteps that trapped the party in prolonged turmoil.
“If you followed the trend last week, there was a particular fiasco in court, which is like walking into a trap. Before you get out of such entanglement, a lot of water has passed under the bridge,” he said.
The governor said the instability within the PDP ultimately forced him to reconsider his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“From around September, the PDP began to wobble seriously. It got to the point where, as an insider, I became aware that the party had fallen into the hands of undertakers,” he said.
Using a metaphor, Mutfwang likened the situation to embarking on an important journey in a vehicle that breaks down irreparably.
“Going into 2027, I needed a platform. When I looked at it and saw that the PDP was not likely going to become a viable platform, I had to consider my options,” he explained.
He said those options included joining another party or accepting an invitation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
After what he described as “intelligence gathering” on the state of political parties in Nigeria, Mutfwang said joining the APC was the least risky option.
“I have never believed in the gladiators in some other platforms, and I didn’t think they were viable options for me,” he added.
Mutfwang said he has no regrets about joining the APC, expressing confidence that the move would bring greater benefits to Plateau State.
“For me, it means more collaboration, more enhancement and more support to continue what we have started doing,” he said.
He noted that even before his defection, Plateau State had enjoyed a level of cooperation from the Federal Government, which he expects to improve further.
“Now that I’m part of the family, I expect even more enhanced collaboration in the future,” he said, adding that Plateau State is emerging as “the jewel of the crown in the North Central.”
According to him, the political realignment will help the state fully harness its electoral and economic potential ahead of future elections.