The Big Shift: Governor Mutfwang Dumps PDP for APC
The bedrock of Yilwatda’s confidence is the recent, high-profile defection of the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
- The Move: Governor Mutfwang officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on January 2, 2026, receiving his membership card from State Chairman Rufus Bature in Jos.
- The “Collapse” of Opposition: Yilwatda noted that the Governor didn’t come alone. He was accompanied by commissioners, local government chairmen, and key political appointees, effectively hollowing out the PDP structure in the state.
- A New Alliance: “All the stumbling blocks we had in 2023 are no longer there,” Yilwatda stated. “Those who opposed us then have joined us now… With this, Plateau will deliver one million votes for Mr. President.”
PKK: The APC’s “Traditional Stronghold”
Yilwatda specifically lauded the PKK Federal Constituency, describing it as the primary engine room for the party’s success in Plateau. He reminded stakeholders that even during the contested 2023 elections, the PKK area provided some of the highest vote counts for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
National Chairman’s Vision for 2027
Since assuming the role of APC National Chairman in July 2025, Prof. Yilwatda has focused on “grassroots consolidation.” His visit to Pankshin is part of a broader national tour to integrate new defectors—including several governors from the South-South and South-East who joined the APC in 2025—into the party’s “Renewed Hope” machinery.
