Hon. Istifanus Mwansat has reacted to rumors suggesting Governor Caleb Mutfwang is preparing to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mwansat, a former Speaker of the Plateau Assembly and now Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters and Special Duties, dismissed the speculation, calling it unnecessary and misleading.

Speaking in an interview, he addressed the recent wave of defections rocking the PDP and the pressure on top party figures across the country.

According to him, political movement is driven largely by fear, ambition, and the belief that “if they remain outside the ruling party, their chances of being counted politically are slim.”

He insisted that many politicians are running to the ruling party for survival rather than ideology, describing it as a “safe haven” for those hoping their “sins will be forgiven.”

Mwansat also expressed concern over the country’s political culture, saying hunger and poverty have weakened democratic values and shifted voter decision-making to “the depth of the contestant’s pocket.”

On whether defections could weaken the PDP ahead of 2027, he maintained that the party still has solid structures at the grassroots and will “bounce back and put up a strong fight” in the next general election.

When asked about claims that Nigerian politics lacks solid ideology, he agreed, stating that party-switching has become too common, especially among lawmakers who “violate the same laws they make.”

Responding to repeated claims that Governor Mutfwang may join the APC, Mwansat insisted the governor has made his position clear.

The Aide noted that Mutfwang has repeatedly said he is not leaving the PDP, stressing that his political direction is guided by God and the people of Plateau.

“The governor has consistently re-emphasized that he is not moving and will not move… the governor is not moving,” he said.

He also reacted to reports that some APC members had already rejected Mutfwang, describing such statements as empty politics.

According to him, the governor never indicated interest in joining the APC for anyone to “reject” him.

Mwansat said the APC in Plateau is only trying to push a narrative to create confusion, adding that if Mutfwang ever wished to defect, “reasonable APC members would be excited.”

Commenting on internal party grievances, he acknowledged some PDP members are unhappy but urged patience, noting that the governor is carrying a heavy burden as the only elected PDP official left standing in the state after court rulings overturned earlier victories.

He added that politics is dynamic, and while some individuals leave, others are returning silently. The senior special adviser to the governor noted that two former APC lawmakers recently held talks to rejoin the PDP.

On the relationship between the State Assembly and the governor, he described it as cordial, saying both sides are focused on “the Plateau project” rather than partisan rivalry.

Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has described the allegation of a Christian genocide in Nigeria as “politically motivated,” insisting that the renewed international attention on religious persecution is a ploy targeted at influencing the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the United States’ decision to reclassify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), Gumi took to his official Facebook page on Saturday, accusing some “unpatriotic clerics” of collaborating with foreign powers to tarnish the country’s image.

He said, “We have many unpatriotic bigot clerics that are aiding imperialists to divide us further so that they can pillage our resources.”

The cleric was responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday, placing Nigeria on a religious freedom watchlist over alleged killings of Christians, a claim the Nigerian government has firmly denied.

Gumi dismissed the U.S. move as hypocritical and meddlesome, arguing that Washington had no moral ground to lecture Nigeria on internal issues while facing its own social and economic challenges.

He said, “At a time when Americans are lining up for food rations, what concerns them with our internal problems?

“Yes, this is not to say efforts are not being made to tackle insecurity, but the right combination of strategies is what is lacking to completely nail it. Now they want to compound the problem.”

He claimed that some non-governmental organizations operating in Nigeria were serving as fronts for arming criminal groups under the guise of humanitarian assistance.

“Those who armed the outlaws as NGOs and come around to claim piety, the danger to us is that they form and start arming another militia like they have done in other places,” he warned.

The Kaduna-based cleric lamented what he described as an ongoing campaign to portray Nigeria as a country at war with Christians, insisting that the real crisis was criminality, not religion.

“Nigeria is under their evil eye of religious bigotry! It is evident now we are sharing a country not only with evil people from banditry, BH, IPOB, and other criminals, as confessed recently by Governor Soludo of Anambra, but also with many unpatriotic bigot clerics,” he stated.

The Nigerian Association of Residents (NARD) has commenced an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

Naija News reports that NARD had announced a week ago a plan to commence an indefinite strike on Saturday, November 1, 2025, following the expiration of a 30-day strike ultimatum issued to the Federal Government.

The NARD president, Mohammad Suleiman, in a statement on the association’s 𝕏 handle on Saturday, disclosed that the strike has become inevitable following the repeated failure of the Federal Government to honor its promises and implement the agreements reached with them after several rounds of dialogue and appeals.

The statement read, “We wish to address you at this critical time as we embark on a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, a decision that did not come lightly, nor was it ever our desire. We are fully aware of the pains and inconveniences that accompany any disruption in healthcare services, and we deeply regret the situation.

“Our demands are not selfish, neither are they politically motivated. They are genuine, germane, and patriotic, centered on the survival of the Nigerian health system and the well-being of every citizen who depends on it.

“We fight not for personal gain, but for the creation of a system that allows doctors to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients in an environment that supports their mental and physical well-being. A resident doctor who is overworked, underpaid, and mentally exhausted cannot offer optimal care to the patient who needs them most.

“Our demands include issues of excessive workload, fair remuneration, payment of arrears, improvement of working conditions, adequate staffing, and the provision of essential medical infrastructure, all of which directly impact the quality of healthcare delivered to Nigerians.

“A nation’s health system can only be as strong as the hands that sustain it. If the doctors are broken, under-motivated, or forced to seek survival abroad, the patients suffer most. This is why we have taken this painful stand to secure the future of Nigerian healthcare for every man, woman, and child who deserves quality care here at home.

“We therefore call on all Nigerians our patients, civil society groups, labor unions, religious and traditional leaders, and every citizen of conscience to stand with us. Add your voices to ours in appealing to the Federal Government to do the right thing.

“This is not a fight between resident doctors and government; it is a struggle for a functional, just, and humane healthcare system, one where your doctor can attend to you with a clear mind, a motivated spirit, and access to the tools needed to save lives.

“Together, we can rebuild a system that values both the carer and the cared-for. We appeal to you to weigh in and urge the government to address our demands urgently so that hospitals can reopen, doctors can return to their duty posts, and Nigerians can once again access the care they deserve.

“We always stand with you, and now we ask you to stand with us in solidarity and service to humanity.”