Plateau 2027: APC, PDP Eye Governorship Win as Mutfwang, 16 Others Get INEC Nod

Both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State have voiced strong optimism regarding their prospects in the forthcoming 2027 governorship election. Speaking to The PUNCH in Jos on Sunday, spokespersons for both political giants shared their conviction following the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) release of the final candidate list, which includes Governor Caleb Mutfwang and sixteen other aspirants.

INEC had on Saturday unveiled this definitive roster, officially clearing a total of seventeen individuals to vie for the Plateau governorship seat. Among those approved are the current governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who is the APC's flag-bearer, alongside Ropshik Wungak representing the Peoples Democratic Party. Other notable candidates include Umaru Yakubu of the Accord Party, Ayuba Pangk from the African Action Congress, Akuns Jonathan Sunday of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and Sura Sunday for the African Democratic Congress. Bingel Philomina, running under the Zenith Labour Party, stands out as the sole female governorship candidate on the comprehensive list.

Responding to the INEC publication during an interview with The PUNCH in Jos on Sunday, Dr. Choji Dalyop, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, asserted that the PDP maintains its formidable position as the party to overcome, even with the exclusion of one of its aspirants, Sunday Biggs, from the official INEC roster.

Dalyop stated, “First, I want you to know that Mr Sunday Biggs, whose name is missing on the INEC list, is the candidate of the PDP in Plateau. The matter is still in court, and we believe justice will be done because the Turaki group remains the authentic PDP that we have.” He further elaborated, “Again, you know the Plateau is PDP, and PDP is Plateau State. So, the party is on the ground in Plateau State. Forget the new appointment being done by the government in power with the intention to deceive the people; it will not work. The people of Plateau State are wiser, and when the time for election comes, they will surely vote for the PDP. So, I have no doubt that the candidate of the PDP will win the governorship of Plateau State come 2027.”

Meanwhile, Rufus Bature, the State Chairman of the APC, expressed certainty that his party would maintain its hold on the state, with Governor Mutfwang leading their campaign. Bature declared, “Our governorship candidate in Plateau State is Governor Caleb Mutfwang. If you look at the list of governorship candidates in Plateau State released by INEC, you will discover that Mutfwang has no match in the coming election. His service to the people in the past three years will speak for him because the people are happy with what he has achieved. So, the APC is solidly on the ground and will surely win the next election in Plateau.”