By IMMAN ONYE

The recent defection of former federal lawmaker, Mr. Solomon Maren, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred reactions across Plateau State. But beyond the political theatrics, analysts and constituents alike are affirming that Maren’s defection will not, and cannot shake the foundation of the PDP in the State.

Maren, who represented Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, formally joined the APC during a reception ceremony held on October 11, 2025, at the Mbar Community Centre in Bokkos LGA.

This move came just weeks after he announced his departure from the PDP in August, a declaration that was promptly met with outright rejection by his political base.

Just in the last week of August 2025, hundreds of PDP loyalists and grassroots mobilizers gathered at NUT Hall, Mangu, to reaffirm their loyalty to the Party and Governor Caleb Mutfwang, dismissing Maren’s move as a personal decision unworthy of mass followership.

"We are not following him to APC. His defection is his alone. The PDP is our home, and we are going nowhere," said a Party faithful, Bulus Mapak during the meeting.

The rejection was not only vocal but symbolic. His long-time aide and former legislative adviser, Dauda Kyak, described Maren’s exit as “political suicide,” noting that the party structure remains intact and energized without him.

Another PDP member, Longtong Mark noted, "Solomon Maren did not build the PDP; the PDP built him. From his early rise to the National Assembly to every major political appointment, the PDP was the platform that carried him. His defection is not a crack in our wall, it is the peeling off of expired paint."

Observers point out that the timing of Maren’s defection, long after his term had ended and amid growing unpopularity, signals more about personal ambition than political strategy. It also aligns with a national trend of last-minute party-hopping by politicians seeking relevance rather than reform.

At the APC reception rally, party leaders welcomed him with open arms, yet the turnout from his original supporters was notably thin.

Reports indicate that many from his constituency did not show up, reinforcing the notion that political loyalty in Plateau is shifting from personalities to performance, which Governor Caleb Mutfwang is offering.

The PDP, for its part, has not only remained unfazed but appears even more unified in the wake of the defection. The Party's grassroots strength, especially in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs, remains unshaken, with local coordinators describing the departure as “deadweight being lifted.”

Maren's defection may make headlines, but its impact is limited to his personal journey. The PDP that elevated him remains a dominant force in Plateau politics, battle-tested, grassroots-driven, and forward-looking.

As Mark, a former supporter observed, the PDP made Solomon Maren; he did not make the PDP. As the dust of his defection settles, that truth remains undisputed.

•Imman Onye, a political analyst, writes from Jos, Plateau State.