By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The North-Central All Progressives Congress,APC Forum, has welcomed Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, into the ruling party, urging him to embrace inclusive governance and steer clear of ethnic and religious sentiments in the administration of the state.

Governor Muftwang recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,to the APC, a move the Forum described as being in the overall interest of Plateau State and the North-Central region.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum said it was confident in Muftwang’s capacity to strengthen the APC and deliver good governance to the people of Plateau.

Zazzaga noted that the Forum actively championed the governor’s defection because of its belief in his leadership qualities and developmental vision.

The Forum, made up of APC stakeholders from the six North-Central states, however advised the governor to distance himself from individuals and tendencies that promote ethnic and religious divisions, stressing that such sentiments have no place in a progressive administration.

“We warmly welcome Governor Caleb Muftwang to the APC, a party founded on unity, peace and progress, where ethnic and religious differences are subordinated to collective development,” the statement read

According to the Forum, part of the motivation for encouraging Muftwang to join the APC was to situate him in a political environment that promotes unity and discourages divisive narratives.

While acknowledging the governor’s good intentions for Plateau State, the Forum observed that some officials in his previous political platform promoted ethnic and religious sentiments, a development it said undermined cohesion in the state.

“Now that he has joined the APC, we urge him to carefully choose those he works with ,people who are genuinely committed to the development of Plateau State, not individuals driven by narrow ethnic or religious interests,” the statement added.

The Forum further called on the governor to unite all segments of Plateau State and ensure equitable distribution of democratic dividends across ethnic and religious lines. It also urged him to align closely with President Bola Tinubu, particularly in addressing security challenges in the state.

“He should work closely with Mr President to tackle insecurity and ensure direct engagement with relevant security agencies. Governor Muftwang should carry everyone along and be a father to all Plateau citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion,” the Forum stated.

The group also advised the governor to fully take charge of his administration and resist undue influence from political godfathers or vested interests, urging him to govern without fear or favour.

Reiterating its support for Muftwang, the Forum said it remained undeterred by intimidation and resistance encountered while campaigning for his defection to the APC.

“We faced harassment from those who felt threatened by his move, but we persevered because we believe in his capacity to deliver. His defection will strengthen the APC and advance the interests of Plateau people,” it said.

The Forum added that Muftwang’s entry into the APC would also boost the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the group had earlier pledged six million votes for President Tinubu.

According to the Forum, the governor’s popularity in Plateau State would play a key role in mobilising support for the APC and actualising its electoral projections in the next election cycle.