North-Central APC Sparks Controversy by Endorsing PDP Governor, Tinubu for 2027
In a surprising political twist, the North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has thrown its weight behind both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for re-election in 2027.
The endorsement, announced on Saturday by Forum Chairman Saleh Zazzaga, followed a closed-door stakeholders’ meeting on Friday night. According to Zazzaga, the forum’s decision to support Mutfwang was based on his “commendable performance” as governor, despite party affiliations.
“We have decided to adopt the Green Cap Movement in Plateau because we believe the time is now,” Zazzaga stated. “Although Mutfwang belongs to the PDP, we believe he is performing well and must be supported to succeed. Similarly, we are endorsing our President, Bola Tinubu, for 2027 because of his exceptional performance.”
The move has raised eyebrows within the APC, especially as the forum is simultaneously calling on Mutfwang to defect to the ruling party. According to the forum, such a political realignment would be in the best interest of both the governor and the state.
Green Cap Movement: Reform Symbol or Political Trojan Horse?
The Forum also announced its official adoption of the Green Cap Movement a grassroots initiative closely associated with Mutfwang’s administration as a platform for the 2027 governorship election in Plateau. The movement, often linked to the PDP in public perception, is now being framed by the Forum as a “non-partisan symbol of reform.”
“The Green Cap is not a symbol of any particular political party,” the Forum claimed. “It represents a mindset and the people, not a platform. Its slogan, ‘The Time is Now’, is a universal call for reform and accountability.”
Yet this narrative has drawn sharp criticism, especially from the Plateau APC leadership, who previously dismissed the movement as a veiled PDP campaign structure.
Internal Party Tensions Surface
The Forum has demanded a retraction from the Plateau APC leadership, led by Rufus Bature, for publicly condemning the Green Cap endorsement. Moreover, it rebuffed claims that the Forum is not a recognized entity within the party structure, asserting its legitimacy as a registered body representing North-Central APC stakeholders at the national level.
In a stinging rebuke, the Forum also accused the Plateau APC executive of electoral failure, pointing to the party’s poor showing in the 2023 general elections as evidence of ineffectiveness.
A Risky Political Gamble?
While some see the Forum’s bipartisan endorsement as pragmatic, critics argue that the move undermines party loyalty and exposes deeper cracks within the APC. The decision to back a sitting PDP governor, while pushing for his defection, may be viewed as a strategic gamble one that risks alienating core supporters and further complicating the party’s internal cohesion ahead of 2027.
As the political landscape continues to shift, one thing is clear: the lines between party identity and performance-based endorsement are becoming increasingly blurred, especially in the heated run-up to the next electoral cycle.
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North-Central APC Sparks Controversy by Endorsing PDP Governor, Tinubu for 2027