Ahead of the much anticipated 2027 general election, the Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is actively preparing to welcome a significant number of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political factions within the state. To streamline this process, the APC has established a high-powered reception committee, which is currently chaired by Arc Pam Dung Gyang. This strategic move was formally announced by the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, during a crucial stakeholder meeting held in Jos, the state capital.

During the announcement, Professor Yilwatda further revealed that Nigeria's Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, is slated to officially receive several prominent political figures who have recently chosen to align with the ruling APC. Among these notable defectors are Barr Istifanus Gyang, who formerly served as the Senator representing Plateau North, Hon. Latep Dabang, the former Political Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Brig-Gen John Sura (rtd), who previously held the position of Secretary for the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Committee of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). These individuals are expected to join the APC along with their numerous supporters, signifying a substantial shift in the state's political landscape.

Concurrently, the political arena in Plateau State is witnessing a parallel trend: prominent members from both the leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to tender their resignations from their respective parties. The primary reasons cited for these departures uniformly revolve around a growing sense of disillusionment and a profound loss of confidence in the existing party structures and their founding principles.

Illustrating this trend, Nde Isaac Wadak, a notable chieftain of the PDP, formally resigned from the party. In his resignation letter, addressed to Mr. Kichime Kassam, the PDP chairman of Kabwir Pada Ward in Kanke local government area, Wadak expressed deep concern over the erosion of the PDP’s foundational values and a decline in internal democracy. He lamented that the party's ideals were being sacrificed, with “trust and loyalty being sacrificed at the altar of mediocrity,” and observed that “sycophants and rent-seekers are being rewarded.” Wadak, a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and a loyal member of former Governor Jonah Jang’s Redemption Team, highlighted his significant contributions to Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s 2023 electoral victory. He ultimately stated that his decision was driven by conscience and conviction, as he perceived the party to be “gradually sliding into irrelevance.”

Similarly, Chief Robert Taple, a chieftain of the APC, also announced his resignation. His letter, submitted to the state secretariat of the party at Kalwa House, Jos, via the chairman of his Langkan Ward in Pankshin local government area, explained that his decision was motivated by a desire to remain apolitical. This shift, he stated, would allow him “to freely advise and work for the progress of Plateau and Nigeria,” suggesting a broader commitment beyond partisan politics.

Adding another layer of political tension, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a statement asserting that the “teetering” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally emerged from its “cocoon” following specific decisions made at the APC’s well-attended stakeholders' meeting in Jos. According to a statement released by the party's acting publicity secretary, Alh. Shittu Bamaiyi, certain PDP members became “hysteric” upon learning that APC stakeholders had collectively opposed any attempt to absorb Governor Caleb Mutfwang into their party. Bamaiyi further contended that it was unsurprising for the PDP to then “maliciously scapegoat” the APC national chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, for this particular decision.

Elaborating on the stakeholders' meeting, Bamaiyi clarified that two motions were put forward: one endorsing President Tinubu for a second tenure in office, and the second regarding whether Governor Mutfwang should be allowed into the APC. The motion for President Tinubu’s endorsement was swiftly seconded and approved, while the proposal concerning Governor Mutfwang’s entry was “out rightly rejected by the crowd” during the proceedings, which were presided over by the national chairman. Bamaiyi criticized the PDP's reaction as “ridiculous and hypocritical,” noting that the same party claiming Governor Mutfwang was not interested in joining the APC now “publicly start[s] crying blue murder” when he is not welcomed. He concluded by suggesting that the PDP’s “outburst at this material time is an indication of the fact that, the Party is in danger, lily-livered and also chicken hearted, just on the slightest body language of the APC.”