Why I Opposed PDP’s Expulsion Of Wike, Fayose, Ortom, Others – Mutfwang

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has explained why he objected to the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other members of the G5 governors by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mutfwang said the move was ill-advised and only deepened the protracted crisis rocking the main opposition party.

Abia Radio News reports that he spoke with journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, shortly after a defection rally.

The governor said there was no prior consultation before the expulsion was announced, stressing that such a far-reaching decision should not have been taken by a few individuals.

“I objected out of principle because it was done surreptitiously. There was no conversation around it that I was privy to,” he said.

“I felt that a decision of such magnitude should not just be taken by a few people.”

Mutfwang noted that rather than resolving the PDP crisis, the expulsion worsened internal divisions.

He added that the fallout from the decision led to further instability within the party.

Wike and 11 other chieftains were expelled at a factional convention held at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State, following a motion moved by Chief Olabode George.

They were accused of disloyalty, insubordination and other anti-party activities.

Those affected included former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose; factional National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Director of Organisation, Umar Bature; and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

Others were factional Acting Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; factional Board of Trustees Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa; Austin Nwachukwu; George Turner; Abraham Amali; and South-South zonal leader, Dan Orbih.

Mutfwang and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, immediately dissociated themselves from the action.

In retaliation, the Wike/Anyanwu faction announced the expulsion of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal; BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; factional Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; and other party leaders.

Reflecting on the crisis, Mutfwang said the expulsion was a strategic error that plunged the party into further legal and political turmoil.

The governor added that aside from an invitation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to join the All Progressives Congress, remaining in the PDP had become increasingly difficult.

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.”

“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.”

“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.”