The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into disarray following the reported endorsement of Governor Caleb Muftwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a second term by one of its members, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga.

Zazzaga, who identifies as the chairman of the North Central APC Stakeholders Forum, was quoted in several national dailies last week as backing Muftwang’s re-election bid in 2027—a move that has sparked outrage among party loyalists.

In a swift reaction, the APC-Like Minds Political Forum (APC-LMPF), a bloc within the party, warned against what it described as anti-party activity. Addressing journalists in Jos on Thursday after its emergency meeting, the forum’s National Secretary, Alhaji Habibu Musa Sati, condemned the endorsement as “Reckless, malicious, and self-serving.”

The forum disowned Zazzaga’s political platform, describing the North Central Stakeholders Forum as “unregistered and unrecognised,” and cited a court ruling that allegedly voided its legitimacy to make political pronouncements.

APC-LMPF further stressed that Zazzaga’s comments were made without the consent of the party at any level—ward, state, or national—and warned that such actions risk derailing unity efforts ahead of the next election cycle.

In a statement responding to the backlash, Zazzaga denied endorsing Governor Muftwang for re-election. He clarified that his remarks were misrepresented and that he only appealed to the governor to consider joining the APC, insisting that he remained a loyal member of the party and had no intention to engage in anti-party activities.

Zazzaga’s clarification, however, has done little to quell the tension, as many within the party view his comments as a betrayal, with calls growing for disciplinary action.

The development comes amid ongoing struggles within the Plateau APC to regain its footing following its loss of the governorship to the PDP in 2023. (Daily Trust)