Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has explained his objection to the expulsion of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and other members from the Peoples Democratic Party by a factional group, saying the move was a wrong strategy that deepened the party’s crisis.
He stated that the expulsion was a misstep, as it exacerbated the ongoing crisis within the party.
Mutfwang, speaking to reporters in Jos after a defection rally, said the expulsion decision was made without prior consultation, with only a handful of people imposing it on the party.
Wike and 11 others were suspended at a factional PDP convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, after a motion by Lagos party elder Olabode George accused them of disloyalty, insubordination, and anti-party activities.
Apart from Wike, other expelled chieftains are former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, factional National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, National Director of Organization, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
Also dismissed were factional Acting Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, factional Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, George Turner, Abraham Amali and Dan Orbih, Southsouth zonal leader.
Mutfwang and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri instantly dissociated themselves from the action.
In reaction to the sack, the Wike/Anyanwu faction announced the expulsion of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, his Oyo and Zamfara counterparts, Seyi Makinde and Dauda Lawal; Board of Trustees (BoT) 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 among others.
Reflecting on the crisis, Mutfwang said he objected to the dismissal on principle, inisting that he was not privy to the disciplinary measure.
He recalled, “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. “Moreover, 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.”
Mutfwang said the crisis multiplied after the expulsion because the it was a wrong strategy.
He added, “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. I thought it was a wrong strategy to take control of the party.”
The governor said with President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to join the APC, there was no reason to stay in PDP, describing it as a “wobbling platform”.
He said, “From September or thereabout, the PDP began to wobble seriously. It got to the point where, as an insider, I became aware, as one of our elders said, that the PDP had fallen into the hands of undertakers.
“At that point, the question was whether I was still going on with 2027 or not. I likened it to having a very serious appointment, like a wedding, ahead of you, and the vehicle you are travelling in breaks down very irreparably. You are forced at that point either to look for a mechanic or to look for another vehicle.
“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 for 2027, I had to think of an option. The options were either to look for a new political party or to accept the invitation by the President.”
Mutfwang added, “I did my own intelligence gathering about the state of parties in Nigeria, I found that it was least dangerous for me to respond to the President than to think of a new platform. I have never believed in the gladiators in the ADC, for example, and I didn’t think that was an option for me.”
Mutfwang added, “in the year, the circumstances were entirely different. After that, events began to emerge that I never contemplated, which forced me to have a rethink. It is that rethink that has brought me to this point now, where, after much consultation, I thought it was safer to go with the APC.”
The governor said he has no regret joining the APC, stressing that the realignment will bring dividends to Plateau.
Mutfwang stressed, “For me, it is to expect more collaboration, more enhancement and more support to continue what we have started doing. I must be honest, we haven’t witnessed too much hostility from the Federal Government.
“At least, in the last one year plus, I think, I’ve enjoyed considerable collaboration with the Federal Government. Now that I’m part of the family, I expect even more enhanced collaboration in the future.
“What is emerging is that Plateau State is becoming like the jewel of the crown in the North Central. I believe that all the potential to harvest votes on the Plateau will be nurtured so that we can deliver on the potential and produce that we hold.”
