Group hails Lalong for ceding Plateau APC leadership to Mutfwang

The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy (PVD), has lauded Senator Simon Lalong for ceding the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State to Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

The Chairman of the group, Christopher Ishaku, made the position of the group known in a statement on Tuesday.

He described the decision of Lalong (APC-Plateau South), following the governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC as “altruistic and statesmanlike”.

Ishaku said Lalong’s move was a turning point in Plateau State politics considering the prolonged political tension that ensued between both men after the 2023 governorship election.

He said that Lalong, Mutfwang’s predecessor, had backed APC’s Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to succeed him, but Mutfwang of the PDP emerged victorious.

The chairman of the group said the rivalry that trailed the election had defined the internal dynamics of opposition politics in the state.

According to him, Lalong’s decision to yield the party leadership to Mutfwang, in spite of their past differences, reflected political maturity.

He further said it was also a reflection of the former governor’s willingness to place the collective interest of Plateau State above personal or factional considerations.

Ishaku said the new political alignment was a unique opportunity for Plateau State.

“With Yilwatda serving as the National Chairman of the APC, and Mutfwang as governor on the same platform, major political stakeholders are now ‘in the same ship’.

“This convergence offers Plateau an uncommon chance to consolidate influence at both state and national levels,” he said.

He called on supporters of both Mutfwang and Lalong to close ranks and work together to protect the political and developmental interests of Plateau State.

He urged political leaders and citizens to coalesce in confronting criminal infiltrators and bandits who have continued to attack communities, kill residents, and destabilise livelihoods.