Group urges Plateau elite to back Mutfwang, defend APC defection

The Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development (PIGD) has called on influential stakeholders in Plateau State to support Governor Caleb Mutfwang and help clarify his development agenda and recent political move to the grassroots.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Nengak David, the group said the governor remains focused on his “ReBuild Plateau” vision, which prioritises restoring security as a foundation for broader development.

According to PIGD, the administration’s strategy is to stabilise troubled communities and leverage peace to drive growth in agriculture, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and the wider economy.

“Governor Caleb Mutfwang has not lost focus. He is on course. His first duty is to secure Plateau, restore peace, and build an economy that works for all,” the statement said.

The group urged political, traditional, and religious leaders, as well as professionals and youth influencers, to engage more actively with communities and counter misinformation surrounding the governor’s policies.

“The elite class must not abandon the grassroots to rumours and partisan propaganda. Those who understand the issues must clearly explain that the ReBuild Plateau agenda is about long-term peace and development,” it added.

On the governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, PIGD described the move as strategic rather than a betrayal of supporters.

The group argued that internal crises within the PDP had created uncertainty, making it an unsuitable platform for sustained governance and future political stability.

“The governor did not act out of disloyalty but out of responsibility. No serious leader would anchor the future of a state on a platform plagued by persistent internal wrangling,” David said.

PIGD also rejected claims portraying the APC as hostile to Plateau’s interests, insisting that such narratives were misleading and politically motivated.

“It is wrong to present the APC as an enemy of Plateau. Governor Mutfwang’s decision must be judged by its purpose, which is to safeguard the state’s future,” the group stated.

The organisation emphasised the need for unity and constructive engagement across the state, urging citizens to support ongoing efforts aimed at peacebuilding and economic recovery.

“This is not the time to inflame tensions but to rally behind initiatives that promote stability and development,” the statement concluded.