Plateau State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rufus Bature, has explained why Governor Caleb Mutfwang has not yet been admitted into the party.
Daily Trust reports that various interest groups in the state have held press conferences and rallies either supporting or opposing the governor’s reported plan to defect to the APC.
Stakeholders of the APC in Plateau State — including the national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda — have publicly rejected the move.
Governor Mutfwang, however, has denied defecting, insisting instead that APC members have been mounting pressure on him to join the party.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Bature said the governor, like any other defector, must follow the party’s established process before he can be formally welcomed.
“The governor should follow the proper channel. Let him consult with the leaders of the party first. We have leaders at the national level — he should meet with them,” Bature said.
“There must be negotiations, give-and-take, for us to accept him. Let him come in a proper way. That is all we are saying.”
Speaking in a telephone interview, Bature said the governor, like any other defector, must follow the party’s established process before he can be formally welcomed.
“The governor should follow the proper channel. Let him consult with the leaders of the party first. We have leaders at the national level — he should meet with them,” Bature said.
“There must be negotiations, give-and-take, for us to accept him. Let him come in a proper way. That is all we are saying.”
The chairman added that clarity of intention is key before any decision can be made.
“Politics is about dialogue and negotiations. If the terms and conditions are good for the party, they will accept him. But if we don’t know his intentions for coming into the party, that is where the issue arises. That is why you see groups speaking from different quarters, either for or against his defection to the APC,” he explained.
Daily Trust gathered that, in addition to what some describe as “tough conditions” set for the governor, sources close to the APC national chairman said Mutfwang has not personally informed Prof. Nentawe of any decision to join the party as of press time.