Former Plateau State Governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, has formally relinquished leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Lalong made the declaration on Friday during Mutfwang’s visit to the APC state secretariat in Jos, shortly after the governor’s entry into the ruling party was announced by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.

According to Lalong, the APC constitution clearly recognises an elected governor as the leader of the party in his state, stressing that the political reality in Plateau has now changed with Mutfwang’s defection.

“We drafted the APC constitution, and it clearly states that once you have an elected governor, he becomes the leader of the party in that state,” Lalong said.

He added that unless otherwise directed by the governor, he would no longer take decisions on behalf of the party.

“From today, my tenure as leader of the party in Plateau has ended. I will not take any action or make decisions without a mandate from the governor,” he stated.

Lalong emphasised that Plateau State must remain united, noting that Governor Mutfwang’s entry into the APC presents a fresh opportunity for reconciliation, collaboration, and collective effort toward development.

“With an elected governor now in our party, the leadership structure has changed. Plateau is one, and the governor is now the leader of our party,” he said.

The former governor urged party members and political stakeholders to close ranks, work together, and focus on promoting peace, unity, and progress across the state.

Governor Mutfwang’s defection is seen as a significant political development that reshapes the balance of power within Plateau politics and strengthens the APC’s position in the North-Central state.