BY OUR REPORTER.
A deepening power struggle within Plateau State’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is fueling uncertainty ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with senior party figures and political observers warning that widening internal divisions could threaten both the party’s cohesion and the state’s political stability.
At the centre of the unfolding dispute is Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, whose supporters allege that influential members of a faction known as the “Legacy Group” are working to weaken his bid for a second term.
The allegations, have intensified political tensions in recent weeks and exposed growing cracks within the Plateau APC.
According to multiple party stakeholders familiar with internal discussions, political realignments are underway within the party, with competing blocs positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. Supporters of the governor argue that these moves amount to a coordinated attempt to erode his influence despite what many describe as significant achievements recorded during his administration over the past three years.
The dispute has prompted some stakeholders to characterize the situation as an “internal political coup,” reflecting the depth of mistrust between the competing factions.
Several party members, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal party affairs publicly, called on Governor Mutfwang to reassess his political team amid growing concerns over alleged sabotage and divided loyalties within government.
“There is increasing concern over where the loyalty of key political actors truly lies,” one senior party stakeholder said. “The Governor needs a clearer understanding of who is genuinely committed to his administration’s agenda.”
The internal contest has also reignited debate over who exercises real political influence within the APC in Plateau State.
Political analysts point to the growing prominence of APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, former Governor Simon Bako Lalong, and federal lawmaker Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi as influential figures shaping the party’s direction.
Some stakeholders allege that Prof. Nentawe’s expanding political outreach, including empowerment initiatives and community engagement programs across Plateau, is being interpreted by sections of the party as an effort to consolidate influence ahead of future political contests. Supporters of the APC chairman, however, maintain that such programmes are part of his responsibilities as the party’s national leader and should not be viewed through a factional lens.
Political attention intensified following Prof. Nentawe’s recent visit to Bokkos Local Government Area, where relief materials were distributed to affected communities. During the visit, some women publicly appealed for greater government intervention while expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of assistance they had received. The incident quickly became a subject of political debate, with rival camps offering sharply different interpretations of what it signified.
The governor’s supporters also accuse members of the Legacy Group of persistently criticizing his administration, particularly over his decision to reverse appointments allegedly made during the closing days of the previous administration. They argue that the decision was necessary given the state’s financial constraints, noting that Governor Mutfwang has repeatedly stated that he inherited a severely depleted treasury upon assuming office.
Despite the mounting political tensions, supporters point to what they describe as tangible achievements under the administration, including the revitalization of Hill Station Hotel and Plateau Hotel, the remodeling of the Jos Township Stadium, investments in agriculture, road infrastructure, and expanded water supply projects.
Political analysts caution that prolonged internal conflict risks diverting attention from governance at a time when Plateau continues to confront insecurity, unemployment, rising living costs, and post-conflict recovery challenges.
“The greatest risk is that governance becomes secondary to succession politics,” one analyst said. “Citizens expect political leaders to compete through ideas and performance, not through internal battles that weaken public institutions.”
As campaigning gradually gathers momentum ahead of 2027, many observers believe the Plateau APC faces a defining test: whether it can reconcile competing interests before factional divisions become electoral liabilities.
Neither Governor Mutfwang’s office nor representatives of the individuals identified with the Legacy Group had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
For many Plateau residents, however, the outcome of the political contest may ultimately matter less than whether the state’s leaders remain focused on addressing insecurity, economic hardship, infrastructure deficits, and job creation.
In Plateau, as across much of Nigeria, the challenge confronting political leaders is no longer simply winning elections; it is convincing citizens that politics can still serve the public interest rather than competing personal ambitions.
