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  • Avoid divisive politics, align with Tinubu, APC forum advises Muftwang

    Avoid divisive politics, align with Tinubu, APC forum advises Muftwang

    The North Central All Progressives Congress (NC APC) Forum has called on Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang to jettison divisive political tendencies and align his administration with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, following his recent defection to the ruling party.

    The Forum said Muftwang’s entry into the APC must signal a clear break from policies and influences that promote ethnic or religious division, urging him to adopt inclusive governance and work closely with the Federal Government to address Plateau State’s security and development challenges.

    The Forum, in a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said the admonition had become imperative as Governor Caleb Muftwang’s defection provides a fresh opportunity for him to reposition his administration on the principles of unity, fairness and development, while deliberately distancing himself from individuals whose actions, it said, had previously fuelled division in the state.

    Zazzaga, a member of the APC campaign council during the 2023 general election, noted that the Forum, which comprises APC stakeholders from the six North Central states, is well placed to offer such advice, having actively championed Muftwang’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC. 

    He added that the Forum believed the governor’s leadership capacity would be better harnessed within the ruling party, stressing that his defection was in the overall interest of Plateau State and the North Central region.

    The Forum noted that during Muftwang’s time in the PDP, some officials around his administration were perceived to be advancing narrow interests that undermined cohesion in the state. 

    It said one of the motivations behind its campaign for his defection was to see him operate within a political environment that discourages such tendencies.

    It urged the governor to be deliberate in selecting his team and to work only with individuals genuinely committed to the development and stability of Plateau State.

    The APC group also called on Muftwang to govern as a leader for all citizens of the state, stressing that no community or group should feel excluded from governance or denied access to the dividends of democracy.

    On security, the Forum advised the governor to strengthen cooperation with President Tinubu and relevant federal security agencies, noting that closer alignment with the centre would improve coordination and response to the security challenges confronting Plateau State.

    It said working closely with the President would also enable the state to benefit more effectively from federal interventions and development programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Beyond policy direction, the Forum urged Muftwang to assert firm control over his administration and resist undue influence from political godfathers or individuals seeking to exert control over government decisions.

    Read Also: ALGON, APC raise alarm over alleged plot to stall governance at Osun LGAs 

    It said the governor’s defection to the APC should mark a turning point that allows him to govern with confidence and independence, free from external pressures that could undermine service delivery.

    The Forum disclosed that it faced intimidation and resistance while campaigning for Muftwang’s defection, particularly from individuals who feared that his move would affect their political ambitions. Despite this, it said it remained resolute because of its confidence in the governor’s leadership qualities.

    It expressed optimism that Muftwang’s presence in the APC would strengthen the party in Plateau State and contribute significantly to its electoral fortunes in the North Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The Forum recalled that it was among the first political groups to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, adding that its support for Muftwang’s defection was also informed by its commitment to consolidating APC support across the region.

    It said the governor’s popularity and political base in Plateau State would be crucial to advancing the party’s objectives and delivering stability, unity and development to the people.

  • APC Forum applauds, welcomes Muftwang’s defection

    APC Forum applauds, welcomes Muftwang’s defection

    The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has been applauded for being a listening leader with the interest of his citizens at heart following his joining the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Mutfwang’s defection was officially confirmed on Thursday night by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Reacting to the development on Friday, the North Central APC Forum, in a statement on Friday by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, described the governor’s move as historic and strategic, assuring him of full support from the party across the zone.

    The Forum disclosed that Mutfwang had directed all his aides to move with him to the APC.

    “We, the North Central APC Forum, are happy to announce the successful culmination of our agitation and campaign for Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to join the APC. We thank Governor Mutfwang for heeding our call, which was prompted by our commitment to the interests of Plateau State and the entire North Central,” the statement said.

    The Forum noted that it had, since April 2024, consistently campaigned for Mutfwang to join the APC, citing his performance in office and the need for a stable political platform.

    “Our campaign for Mutfwang to join the APC was informed by his good works and achievements in office, and because we believe he has the capacity to even do more if he is in a stable political platform such as the one provided by the APC,” the Forum said.

    It added that joining the APC would enable the governor to work more closely with President Bola Tinubu to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State.

    The Forum also highlighted the political significance of the defection, noting that the North Central has now become the only geopolitical zone with APC governors in all six states.

    “With this development, the North Central is now the only zone with six APC governors, as all six states in the region are now APC. This is a historic development which has actualized our vision of delivering the entire North Central to our great party,” the statement read.

    The Forum pledged continued support for Mutfwang and called on party stakeholders to rally round him, stating, “We are certain that this strategic move by Governor Mutfwang will benefit the entire North Central, not only the people of Plateau State.

    “We assure Governor Mutfwang of our full support and call on all stakeholders to rally round him as he contributes to moving the party forward,” it said.

    The Forum also restated its pledge to deliver six million votes from the North Central for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, an increase from its earlier four million vote target.

    “Our pledge to deliver six million votes for Mr President is on course, especially now that all the States in the zone are with APC. Mr President can rest assured concerning the votes of the North Central when it is time for his re-election in 2027,” the Forum said.

    The group thanked President Tinubu for providing what it described as the leadership that made Mutfwang’s defection possible.

    It recalled that it had formally invited the Plateau governor to join the APC shortly after the Supreme Court affirmed his election in 2024, and had continued to press the matter despite resistance from some APC leaders in Plateau State.

    The Forum dismissed opposition to Mutfwang’s defection as selfish, insisting that the move was in the best interest of the party and the region.

  • Insecurity in Plateau beyond farmer-herder clashes – Muftwang

    Insecurity in Plateau beyond farmer-herder clashes – Muftwang

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau says that the ongoing attacks and killings in some parts of the state is a coordinated crime sponsored by conflict merchants and not farmer-herder clashes.

    The governor said this during the Fashion and Arts Exhibition organised by the Tincity Fashion Week titled “The Plateau Experience”, on Friday night in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that on April 2, gunmen attacked Manguno, Daffo and Josho communities of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA ) of the State.

    The attackers killed many and destroyed houses and other properties worth millions.

    Mutfwang, who insisted that the attacks were a well organised criminality, promised that the government and security agencies had put measures in place to forestall future occurrence.

    “I want to thank all of you who are here to support and honour Plateau with your presence in this event. We do not take this show of solidarity lightly.

    “We contemplated suspending this event due to the current security situation in the state, but we decided not to allow the situation ruin the good things we have to celebrate.

    “And I must say that the aim of the enemy is to throw the state into gloom and mourning but we will rise above their intent and not give them what they want.

    “For those who think that the current situation is a farmer-herder issue, let me disabuse your mind from that perception; it is a product of organised crime by malicious elements who do not want peace to reign in the state.

    “I want to assure the good people of Plateau that God will give us victory over these miscreants and their end has come” he said.

    Mutfwang, who commended the organisers of the exhibition, said that the event had placed Plateau on the world’s map by promoting its tourism and business potentials.

    Read Also: Muftwang tinkering with zoning

    Earlier, Mr Chuwang Pwajok, the General Manager of the Plateau Tourism Board, described Plateau as a goldmine for not only tourism but natural and mineral resources waiting to be explored.

    Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Miss Christabel Bentu, commended the governor for his support to the tourism industry and the overall development of the state.

    She also commended the economic drive and commitment of the current administration towards sustainable development in the state.

    NAN also reports that some dignitaries present at the event were the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, among others.

    (NAN)

  • Muftwang tinkering with zoning

    Muftwang tinkering with zoning

    Though the Plateau State House of Assembly has been on recess since last December, indications are that Governor Caleb Muftwang may have decided to alter the decades-old power rotation arrangement by ceding the speakership position to his zone, the Plateau Central Senatorial District.

    The expectation is that the position, which is the number three in the political hierarchy, should go to Plateau South, since the governor is from Plateau Central and his deputy is from Plateau North. 

    But in a move that shocked many, the governor wants the position to go to Plateau Central, where he (the governor) hails from. As a result, he is encouraging the current Speaker, Gabriel Dewan who emerged hurriedly at the height of the crisis rocking the lawmaking chamber late last year to continue in the office.

    Dewan was picked in an emergency arrangement, after the governor’s party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lost 16 of its members, following a Court of Appeal judgment that nullified their election over what the court described as a lack of structure; thereby making the PDP slide into a minority party in the House.

    Read Also: Soldiers killing: No one left in community, says governor

    Fearing that the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is the major beneficiary of the Court of Appeal judgment, may take majority seats in the House and become a threat to the governor, the remaining eight members of the House were goaded into electing Dewan of the Young People’s Party (YPP) as speaker.

    In what appears like an order from the governor, the speaker has refused to reconvene the House to avoid inaugurating the 16 APC members-elect whom the court has declared winners.

    However, Governor Muftwang has come under heavy criticism for toeing that path, as indications have emerged that he is insisting that Dewan should continue as speaker in total disregard to the zoning arrangement.

    Under previous administrations and even before the Appeal Court judgment which sacked the 16 PDP members of the House of Assembly, the three senatorial zones shared the top most political positions in the state such that when a particular zone occupied the governorship position and another, the deputy governor, the third zone automatically takes over the position of the speakership.

    For instance, under Chief Joshua Dariye between 1999 and 2007, the speakership position was zoned to Plateau South, as Dariye hails from Plateau Central, while his deputy, Michael Botmang hailed from Plateau North.

    The same zoning arrangement was respected and preserved under the administration of Jonah Jang, with Plateau Central taking the speakership, as his deputy, Pauline Tallen and later Ignatius Longjan were from Plateau South.

    Similarly, under Simon Lalong, the speakership position went to Plateau North, as the governor hails from Plateau South, while his deputy, Soni Tyoden is from Plateau Central.

    His insistence on having a lawmaker from Plateau Central retain the position of the speaker while denying Plateau South its fair share of political position is seen as a confrontation with the people of the zone. As a result, many have vowed to resist the imposition and nepotism.

    This anomaly is already creating tension, as stakeholders in Plateau South Senatorial District see the development as a form of marginalization.

    Prominent Plateau Elders have called on the governor to respect the zoning arrangement, which facilitated his emergence as governor. One of the elders who does not want to be named has warned the governor that the state does not need any crisis at the moment and that he (Mutfwang) should do the needful and give the speakership position to the zone that deserves it.

    He said: “Why does the governor want the speakership seat in his zone when they already have the number one position? Would he be happy if for instance a governor from another zone comes and takes two of the top positions in the state and leaves Plateau Central zone without anything?”

    A group, the Plateau New Equity Group has also cautioned the governor not to do anything that would jeopardize the peace and tranquility in the state. The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Solomon Zet, reminded the governor that he would have stood no chance of becoming the governor if there was no zoning.

    He said the governor should be fair to all by retaining the zoning arrangement and giving Plateau South its fair share to be speaker.

    Youths in the state under the auspices of the Banner for Justice and Transparency have also advised the governor to concede the speakership position to Plateau South where it rightfully belongs.

    Briefing reporters in Jos, the state capital, the group’s spokesman, Bulus Nankpa, said: “We want peace in our state so we will not hesitate to tell the governor to do the right thing and ensure that Plateau South retains the speakership position since both Plateau North and Plateau Central have been adequately taken care of in the current arrangement.”

  • Plateau re-run election: No Jupiter can stopPDP from being on the ballot – Muftwang

    Plateau re-run election: No Jupiter can stopPDP from being on the ballot – Muftwang

    Following controversies in Plateau State that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will not  participate in the February 3rd re-run election for Plateau North Senatorial and Jos North and Bassa Federal constituency, Governor Caleb Muftwang has stated that no one can stop the PDP from being on the ballot.

    Speaking during the flag-off campaign for the re-run election, Governor Caleb Muftwang said those who said the PDP will not be on the ballot come the February 3rd re-run election are deceiving themselves, adding that it is a sign that they have nothing to offer the senatorial zone.

    Read Also: Abba Yusuf, Muftwang, Sanwo-Olu others whose fate will be decided by S’Court today

    He said, “There is no spirit that can remove PDP from the ballot; they have been struggling to ensure that PDP will not be on the ballot, but they did not succeed. I want you to take that out of your mind; the PDP will definitely be on the ballot. The campaign that PDP will not be on the ballot is to confuse you.

  • ‘We shall defeat Muftwang at appeal court’

    ‘We shall defeat Muftwang at appeal court’

    Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have expressed optimism of upstaging Governor Caleb Muftwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the appellate court.

    Muftwang was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and had his mandate reaffirmed by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal last week.

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Wase, however, expressed optimism of the APC flag bearer upturning the verdict when he led leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state to the APC National Secretariat.

    Wase later told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the party’s National Chairman,  Drullahi Umar Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on the happenings in the party on the Plateau that the party was hopeful of victory at the appellate court.

    The federal lawmaker said that the party’s candidate, “Mr Nentawe Yilwaltda would upstage Muftwang at the appeal.”

    Read Also: Afenifere hails tribunal ruling on Atiku, Obi petitions

    Wase stated that stakeholders in the state were hopeful that the needful would be done at the appellate court despite the decision of the election petition tribunal which upheld the victory of  Muftwang.

    They maintained that Nentawe would emerge victorious based on the provision of the Electoral Amendment Act as amended and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    The lawmaker recalled how APC members overcame the odds stacked against them to convince the electorates to cast ballots for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential poll.

    He noted that the over 300,000 votes secured by President Tinubu at the poll in Plateau state was akin to squeezing blood out of stone.

    “As far as we are concerned, the Plateau state APC chapter has done very well. We performed beyond expectation by coming third with 300,000 votes.

    “We squeezed blood out of stone considering the demography in Plateau state due to the Muslim Muslim ticket. Yet we sacrificed so much even when religious sentiments were whipped against us. The religious factor affected us so much that we were looked at as a leper. Yet, I survived it,” he added.