Governor Caleb Mutfwang has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State after recording a massive victory in the party’s governorship primary election held across the 17 local government areas of the state.
The governor defeated fellow aspirant, Yilchini Bida, by a huge margin in an exercise many party members described as peaceful and well organised.
Results announced on Friday at the APC secretariat in Jos by chairman of the governorship primary election committee, Fidelis Mnyim, showed that Mutfwang polled 233,335 votes, while Bida secured 3,070 votes out of the 236,405 total votes recorded during the exercise.
Declaring the result, Mnyim said Mutfwang fulfilled all requirements of the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines and was therefore returned elected as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Plateau State.
He also clarified why the State House of Assembly primary results were not announced at the state collation centre, explaining that the Electoral Act and party guidelines mandate such declarations to be made at constituency level.
According to him, re-announcing the results at the state level could contradict electoral procedures and existing legal provisions.
Mnyim commended party members for conducting themselves peacefully during the primaries and urged all candidates who emerged victorious to work towards unity and reconciliation within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, Plateau APC Chairman, Rufus Bature, appreciated party faithful, security agencies and electoral officials for ensuring a smooth and peaceful exercise across the state.
A breakdown of the results showed that Mutfwang dominated the contest in all 17 local government areas, recording large margins in both urban and rural parts of the state.
In Mangu Local Government Area, the governor scored 28,095 votes against Bida’s 46 votes, while in Jos North he polled 26,652 votes compared to Bida’s 68.
He also secured 19,595 votes in Kanam, 17,208 in Shendam, 16,182 in Jos South, 14,285 in Langtang North and 13,050 votes in Pankshin.
Political observers believe the outcome reflects Mutfwang’s growing influence within the APC and strong grassroots support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Party stakeholders also described the result as an endorsement of the governor’s leadership style and performance in office, especially in areas such as infrastructure, youth engagement, education, security interventions and sports development.
With the primary now concluded, attention is expected to shift towards preparations for the 2027 governorship contest, where Mutfwang will fly the APC flag in Plateau State.
