The Plateau Regeneration Group (PRG) has strongly criticized former Plateau State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chris Hassan, over his comments describing Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s political realignment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a personal decision.
In a statement issued Monday and signed by Pam Datri, the group described Hassan’s claim as “misleading, grossly preposterous and profoundly reductionist,” arguing that it downplayed what it called a strategic move made in the broader interest of Plateau State.
PRG maintained that the governor’s decision was not driven by self-preservation but by a careful assessment of how best to position the state for stability, federal collaboration, and accelerated development within Nigeria’s current political landscape.
The group also rejected allegations that the governor consulted only his appointees prior to the defection. It insisted that Mutfwang engaged in wide consultations and deep reflection, noting that the growing number of political stakeholders aligning with him since the announcement suggests “consultation, conviction, and clarity — not exclusion.”
According to the coalition, ignoring the internal challenges facing the PDP at the national level would have been “politically romantic but strategically reckless,” adding that the governor bears a constitutional responsibility to protect the state from instability.
PRG further expressed displeasure over a remark attributed to Hassan in Hausa, describing it as unbecoming of a former party leader and a departure from the dignity expected in public discourse.
While acknowledging the previously cordial relationship between Hassan and the governor, the group stressed that political disagreement should not degenerate into hostility.
The statement added that Governor Mutfwang has consistently projected himself as a unifier who prioritizes collaboration across political and ethnic divides, and that his decision will ultimately be judged by its impact on peace, unity, and development rather than immediate reactions.
The group urged political actors in Plateau State to elevate the tone of public debate and avoid narratives capable of inflaming tensions.
