by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
…Move to APC “not defection but ‘political realignment’ ” – Mutfwang
Plateau State has come to grip with a major turning-point in its political field – with the “crossing-over” of its incumbent Governor, Mutfwang, from PDP into the All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
Represented by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, at the official welcoming of Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to the All Progressives Congress (APC) party at Polo Field Jos on Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reassured the people of Plateau State that the Akwanga–Jos Road is very vital to the people of state, reaffirming that, in the next three weeks, “We are forcing the file and floating the bid; and the contractor will mobilise to site for construction.”
He also said that, Plateau State will be the state where they are going to pilot the livestock development project in the country.
According to the Vice President, the President has authorised the recruitment of 1,000 youths on the Plateau as Forest Guards.
“So, I want to assure you that this is just the tip of the iceberg. More good things will continue to come to Plateau,” he said.
“Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is a force of unity and a change-maker we cannot afford to take for granted. In a state that has known political polarisation and conflict, he has stood firm in the conviction that no agent of anarchy can tear us apart as long as we choose dialogue over division,” he affirmed.
The VP observed that, “Under Gov Mutfwang’s leadership, Plateau has begun to move from a narrative of stagnation to one that pursues the path of peace and transformation. He has prioritised a comprehensive approach to peace that seeks not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice and equity.
“As we welcome you on board, we are reminded that true leadership is measured by how well we uplift the least privileged, protect the vulnerable, and create opportunities for every child to aspire and achieve.”
He noted that, “Governor Mutfwang has said he is not defecting with his people; it is ‘political realignment.’ It is about political engineering, and the dividends will start flowing-in, in the next three weeks.”
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang said, “Today, we have formally begun a journey – the journey of redefining the political demographics of Nigeria.
“Today, we have begun a journey that will reposition Plateau State as a must-win state in future elections.
“Today, I am persuaded that the people of Plateau State, with whom we have found favour, agree with us that we will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027,” he assured.
Gov Mutfwang, however, acknowledged that “The times are challenging, but I can tell you confidently that in my private conversations with the President, I have seen his passion and commitment to re-jigging Nigeria and putting it on the path of prosperity, unity, and progress. Therefore, like we say in Nigeria, ‘It is better to follow the man that knows the road.’”
The governor stressed thus: “The toughest decisions have already been taken. We are seeing light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel. The hand is already laid on the eggs. Anytime soon, those eggs will be hatched. The period of incubating eggs is not a period of destruction.
“It is time for us to join hands together, steady the ship of the nation, and ensure that the journey we have embarked upon is not truncated by those, who want to seek power for the sake of it, even though they do not have any pedigree that motivates Nigerians to follow them. They have no pedigree to show in previous positions in government. We, therefore, cannot jump from frying-pan to fire,” he noted.
Furthermore, he said, “We must stick with the President; and I want to trust God that our movement to the APC today signifies that the President can rely on the North-Central for votes in 2027 – not only the North-Central.
“Plateau, as you know, has always been a Big Brother to many people groups in northern Nigeria, and I am sure that those, who share our vision as a people, will align with us from this moment forward to ensure that we speak with one voice and stand together.
“This is what the broom symbolizes – that many pieces are tied together in one bundle. That is the only way a broom can be effective. The pieces of the broom on their own cannot sweep anything,” he said.
“We have not come to take over the APC. We have come to add value. We have come to make you better. We have come to make you stronger. We have come so that together all the wastages of political rivalry on the Plateau will stop, from this day onward; and together we will reap the benefits of unity.”
In his optimism, the governor said, “There is no more opposition on the Plateau; Plateau will move together in one direction. Plateau will move together in unity.”
He noted that, “Some have said that we are defecting. We are not defecting. We are realigning. We are re-engineering, and we are strategically positioning Plateau to be able to reap the dividends of democracy.”
He also assured Mr President that in Plateau people, the President has found allies for 2027, saying, “We will do all we can and with everyone that we can influence to ensure that Plateau State becomes the joker and the trump-card for the 2027 elections.
“I pledge this afternoon that, you will not be disappointed. We will never turn our backs on the Plateau people. We will protect the Plateau heritage. We will ensure that the trust that you have reposed in us is not thrown to the dogs.
“So, we have not changed. We will not change. And we will continue to serve the interest of the people of Plateau State across the divides of faith and across the divides of ethnicity,” Mutfwang stated.
Speaking earlier, National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, gave the assurance that, “Come 2027, the President will win in Plateau State overwhelmingly. He will win overwhelmingly.”
He also assured Governor Mutfwang that, come 2027, he will return him back to Government House. “You are going to win as Governor of Plateau State, and you will win overwhelmingly. I will stand by you. I will support you. I will ensure that everything it takes to bring you back to Government House, we will do it,” Yilwatda assured.