Lalong’s ex-spokesman urges electorate to vote PDP candidate, Mutfwang

Former spokesman to Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, Mark Longyen, has urged Plateau people to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, in Saturday’s governorship polls.

Longyen, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Jos on Thursday, explained that, based on Mutfwang’s credibility, pedigree and merit, he stands shoulders above all his opponents.

According to him, Mutfwang is the only candidate, who truly understands what is called the Plateau Project/Heritage, as well as the modus operandi of achieving same with unparalleled passion.

He said Mutfwang is also a God-fearing man of peace, a committed grassroots cum community leader, shrewd administrator, and successful lawyer, hence the right man to succeed Lalong and right the wrongs of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Plateau State.

Longyen, who aspired for Senate in 2020 on APC platform in the by-election to replace the late Sen Ignatius Longjan, but later withdrew from the race, also urged the people to vote for all PDP House of Assembly candidates on Saturday.

The outspoken former media aide said, “Plateau State has been home for PDP since 1999, and it was only an error of judgment in 2015, which went against the zoning rotation of the governorship seat that gave APC the opportunity to grab power.

“Unfortunately, in APC’s eight years in power, like the Biblical prodigal son, it mismanaged its luck, squandered its fortunes and alienated many of its prominent members through imposition, impunity and nepotism, thereby, falling out of favour with Plateau people. The people have now given it a red card, a death sentence, like the Biblical fig tree, for failing to bear fruits in its due season.

“For instance, most of the hitherto prominent APC stalwarts like Chief Letep Dabang, Sen Victor Lar, Ex-Speaker Abok, Dr Patrick Dakum, Prof Emmanuel Garba, Prof CJ Dakas, Prof Sonni Tyoden, Chief Maichibi Vwarji, Chief Garba Pwul, SAN, Chief Amos Gizo, Chief Danyaro Sarpiya, Hon Henry Yunkwap, Rep Suleiman Kwande, Hon Isaac Kwallu, among many others, have either been pushed out or frozen within, which is reminiscent of what happened in 2015!

“In 2015, Plateau people rose in unison and rejected PDP/GNS because of the politics of imposition, impunity and nepotism, so if we don’t do same this Saturday, by voting out the APC and its governorship candidate, who was imposed at the expense of other more credible aspirants, then weare playing the Ostrich game of hypocrisy and double standards, and must apologize to ex-Gov Jang.”

Longyen said Saturday’s election is not strictly about political party but the people’s collective destiny and identity, the Plateau Project, Plateau Heritage, which cannot be taken for granted, stressing that “it is not business as usual.”

He said the recent suspicious visits to Jos by two top Northern APC stalwarts will prove fatal to APC’s fate, come Saturday, adding that,”Plateau needs a Mutfwang to steer it clear of Hegemons and clean up the Augean stable.”

The erudite multimedia journalist and political analyst said, ”With the PDP having clinched (almost) all the state’s three senate seats, and five out of eight Reps seats, the people have already spoken very loudly, noting that, Vox Populi, Vox Dei.

Predicting the outcome of the polls, he said, “From all indications based on objective analysis, the PDP candidate will win in 5 out of 6 LGAs in the Southern Zone, specifically, Quaan-Pan, Shendam, Mikang, Langtang North and Langtang South, except Wase for APC, for obvious reasons.

“Similarly, PDP will also win in 5 out of 6 LGAs in the Northern Zone, specifically, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Jos South, Jos East and Bassa, except Jos North for APC, for obvious reasons.

“In the Central Zone, barring any rigging, PDP will win in 2 out of 5 LGAs, that is, Mangu and Bokkos, leaving 2, that is Kanke and Kanam, for the APC, for obvious reasons, while in Pankshin LGA, which is a fierce battleground, APC, PDP and Labour Party will almost equally split the votes.”

He disclosed that Mutfwang has the best and most comprehensive developmental blueprint for Plateau, bordering on economy, mining, security, health, education, tourism, among others, that will rapidly transform the state in record time.

The former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity assured that “the incoming administration will be a Plateau Project Product, which, like never before, will change the people’s fortunes for good.”

“This will entail deliberately building bridges across all ethnic nationalities and religions to inspire trust among the people and reunite them, as well as executing policies and programs that would engender unprecedented cutting-edge developmental strides as contained in the blueprint,” he added.