September 22, (THEWILL) – Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau recently fielded questions from some journalists in Jos. UKANDI ODEY was there for THEWILL. Excerpts:
What has been the story since you came on board as Governor of Plateau State?
Thank you. You know that governance continues daily. It keeps improving. It’s like a football club, every season, you see clubs buying new players because they need to improve the competitiveness of the squad. I am happy with my squad; but I’m always looking for ways of improvement. As soon as we find ways in which we can improve, we will bring in the best hands that can be recruited.
Recently, you suspended two of your commissioners. When that was done through your Director of Press, you didn’t tell the world why you did it. May we know why it was done?
Well, let me say that we suspended them in order to reinforce discipline within the cabinet. Where we see some bit of lacklustre disposition, we try to rein them in and make sure people sit up to their responsibilities. It is not because we are politicians then we just allow anything to go. But I am sure those we suspended have learnt their lessons; and we will keep reviewing those suspensions.
There was an appointment you made recently which generated a lot of fuzz. I’m sure you saw the reactions even from the Jamaatu Nasri Islam about a Senior Special Assistant on Indigenous Muslims. There seems to be too much hues and cries. I don’t know if you want to explain anything in that light?
I really don’t like generating storms out of tea cups. It’s not necessary. I didn’t create the idea of “Indigenous Muslims”. I met it on ground as governor. It has been in existence, and even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as indigenous Muslims!
I don’t know what motivated them; but they are definitely a defined group within our space. And so, I didn’t create them. I only said, ‘okay, look, you guys exist. Let’s see how you can relate better with government’. That’s all we did. Therefore, I don’t see why anybody should deny them the right of existence. Some of them are Berom, some of them are Mwaghavul, some of them are Ngas, some of them are Tarok.
They want their own identity. And there is freedom of association guaranteed under the constitution. So, there is no need to deny anybody that right. So, we simply recognised what is in existence.
We didn’t create it. What we have done in trying to recognize the various groups is to give everybody a sense of inclusion: so that we don’t just throw something at the large group and some people within that group feel disenfranchised, feel disentitled, feel not included.
That is why you can see for the first time in the history of Plateau we recognised different groupings and gave them a channel of relating with government. We are running on this mantra of inclusion, equity, and fairness to all. Now if you are getting your own, don’t deny somebody the opportunity to get his own. That’s all we are saying.
And about recognizing other groups: Nobody will recognize you except you. Once you organize yourselves, you will gain the necessary recognition. Others who are organized should not be denied recognition. But be rest assured that we want to carry everybody along.
It appears you have a smooth relationship with Mr President; to the extent it is feared that you may want to possibly jump ship someday. Are you thinking in that direction?
First of all, let me appreciate Mr President for accepting me and opening his arms of fellowship to me. After all, he is the father of the nation. For instance, as Governor of Plateau State, I cannot discriminate against any Plateau citizen. And, so, for me to have that access to Mr President, I believe it’s for the good of Plateau people.
Let me say this: I’m a PDP man to the core. My politics has always been dictated by God and the people. And I know that Plateau people own PDP. They see it as their own. If tomorrow Plateau people tell me to move, I’ll move. But if they tell me we want you to stay where you are, that’s where I will stay. So, I will always move with the people. Let me assure the people about this: I will always move with the people. I relate well with Mr President; but I don’t forget where I come from.
Just a few days ago, the APC stakeholders in Plateau met. Since you have a good relationship with the President, do you have any information to give us in the light that Plateau has been without a minister for a very long time, even though you don’t belong to the APC?
The federal cabinet is a right as enshrined in our constitution. And I’ve had to engage Mr President on this. He has asked me to be patient. He is trying to re-jig his government and certainly has not forgotten about Plateau. He is considering a lot of options. Of course, we will keep engaging Mr President on this matter. Presently, the National Assembly is in recess – the Senate, particularly. I’m sure that when they resume, we are likely to hear something positive in this regard.
The local government elections are just a few days away. You have repeatedly said that you created a space where it would be a level playing ground for everybody. The people don’t believe that what you’re saying is going to happen.
Did they do primaries? The APC only wrote names. They didn’t do primaries. I can tell you that for free. Let them challenge me hereafter. Let them tell us where they did primaries. They didn’t do primaries for governorship. Names were just written; they didn’t do for local government elections either. But let me say this: we are going to prove to Nigerians that Plateau is a model in terms of conducting local government elections. We are bringing International Observers to observe our local government elections. The reason why APC is participating is because we have provided a level playing field. You remember the shameful local government elections conducted in 2021 where they excluded the PDP on a very frivolous and scandalous basis, which was decided in the Government House, not even by PLASIEC.
We witnessed situations where before results could be counted, people were already announced and sworn in. That is not going to repeat itself in Plateau. By the grace of God, we’re going to conduct credible local government elections. I was a beneficiary of such credible elections in 2014, when I became a local government chairman. I cannot go below that standard.
Plateau people should be reassured: we’ll do the best we can to ensure that we have credible local government elections. For us in the PDP, we had hiccups here and there. Truly the party belongs to the people, if we had situations where in communities members emerge as consensus candidates rather than by the party itself; because communities took ownership of the party. And we are glad about that.
But let’s not exaggerate it. We had a few skirmishes in two or three local governments out of 17. And what I can tell you is that we brought everything under control. Of course, when you have a contest, some people will be aggrieved – it’s normal; but we are addressing it. And I am sure before the elections everything will be well, and we are going to go into the elections, as far as the PDP is concerned, as one happy family.
