‘I’m under serious pressure to join APC’ – Plateau Gov, Mutfwang

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has said he is seriously being pressured by political figures to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mutfwang made this disclosure during the weekend at an event held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Jos.

The governor noted his decision to remain in the PDP, stressing that only God and the electorate who voted him into office can determine his political direction.

“It is true that they have been putting pressure on me.

“But I told them that only two people can authorise me to change my party — one is the God of heaven, and the other is you, the people,” he said.

This is coming a few weeks after APC leaders in Plateau moved to block Mutfwang from joining the party.

The APC leaders, at a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Jos, unanimously endorsed a motion seeking to stop Mutfwang from defecting to the party.

The motion was reportedly moved by Festus Fuanter, former Deputy National Secretary of the APC.

“We don’t want anybody coming to our party. You do your thing, and we’ll do ours,” Fuanter said at the meeting.

He added that the party was confident of its strength ahead of the 2027 general elections and did not need external reinforcement.

Reacting to the development, Mutfwang had said those rejecting his rumoured defection were acting out of fear.

Fmr. Kwara lawmaker dumps APC for PDP

Former Kwara lawmaker and APC chieftain, Hon. Saheed Popoola, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his supporters in Offa, citing loss of fairness and justice within the ruling party.

Popoola, who represented the Ojomu/Balogun constituency, said he joined the PDP after “deep reflection” on the direction of the APC.

“I was the first person to contest under the APC platform in 2013. We started the APC with a vision of justice and prosperity, but over time, the party lost its soul. Loyalty became to individuals, not the people,” he said.

He accused Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of poor governance, saying, “We have never seen banditry in Kwara since its creation in 1967 but the current governor does not understand governance.”

He also said the ideals of the 2019 struggle that brought the APC to power had been abandoned.

Receiving the defectors, state PDP chairman Hon. Issa Bawa described Popoola’s return as “a homecoming,” saying it would strengthen the party ahead of 2027.

However, the APC dismissed the defection as insignificant.

“The party won’t miss Saheed Popoola because his presence was never felt. He left long before the last election,” APC spokesperson Waheed Babatunde said, adding that Offa “will remain progressive and support Governor Abdulrazaq in 2027.”

Politics

Niger political parties sign Peace Accord ahead of LG elections

Political parties and candidates participating in the November 1 local government elections in Niger State have signed a peace accord to ensure a credible and violence-free exercise.

The peace accord, facilitated by the Niger State Police Command under Commissioner Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, was signed during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Minna.

Those in attendance included representatives of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), government officials, security agencies, and political stakeholders.

Commissioner Elleman emphasized that the police would operate with professionalism, impartiality, and fairness to guarantee a safe environment before, during, and after the elections.

He also urged youths to avoid violence and promote peace.

NSIEC Chairman Mohammed Imam highlighted the commission’s 15-point election guideline, covering the election of 25 council chairmen and 274 councillors across the state’s 4,950 polling units.

IPAC Chairman Isah Makujeri praised both NSIEC and the Police for their cooperation and preparatory efforts, expressing optimism for a peaceful and transparent election.

The peace accord bars the use of religious, ethnic, or inflammatory language, with all parties pledging to adhere strictly to its provisions.

Commissioner Elleman reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and credibility throughout the electoral process.

Politics

Anambra guber: INEC extends collection of PVC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the ongoing collection of the Permanent Voter Card, PVC, in Anambra State to November 2, to enable eligible voters collect their cards.

Director, Voter Education and Publicity in the state, INEC, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Awka.

“The INEC has approved the extension of the ongoing collection of PVC in Anambra from October 29 to November 2.

“The decision was reached at a meeting of the commission held on October 27, following several appeals from citizens and stakeholders requesting additional time to enable eligible voters to collect their cards,” she said.

Eta-Messi stated that registered voters who have not collected their PVCs are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to do so at the designated collection centres across the 326 Registration Areas (Wards) in the state.

According to her, the exercise covered persons who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, in the state.

The Director further stated that the collection of the PVCs must be in person, as no collection by proxy would be allowed.

The state governorship election would be held on November 8.