The gubernatorial standard bearer of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, BCM, has emphatically challenged the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Lalong, to substantiate the allegation he made against him at the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign flagoff yesterday in Wase.
Governor Simon Lalong had alleged during the flagoff that he has documents which prove that Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, LGA, in the past, did not pay workers salaries for 10months.
Responding during a town hall meeting today in Wase, the same location the spurious allegation was made, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang challenged Governor Lalong to produce the documents he claims to have, or prepare to meet him in court, even as Lalong’s immunity as Governor is fast expiring on 29th May, 2023.
“Yesterday the Governor of Plateau State was in Wase and he did not have anything to campaign on, except to tell lies against Caleb Mutfwang.
“And I want to challenge Governor Lalong in the same Wase, that if he is not a coward, let him produce the documents that prove that I did not pay salaries for 10months.
“Let me inform you that I have instructed my lawyers today. He will be hearing from my lawyers very soon. If he does not refute that allegation, we will meet in court. And let him remember that his immunity expires on the 29th of May. Thereafter, he will have no hiding place.
Barr. Caleb Mutfwang also challenged the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who stands to profit from Governor Lalong’s malicious fabrication, against the PDP guber candidate, to refute the allegation.
“And let me challenge my colleague the APC gubernatorial candidate. If he does not refute what Governor Lalong said, then it means he has endorsed a lie. And Plateau does not need liars on the throne”.
It would be recalled that the Local Government Service Commission under Mr Fabian Ntung (The current Chairman Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC), when Mutfwang was Chairman of Mangu LGA, was responsible for paying salaries of workers in the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
It would also be recalled that Governor Simon Lalong unlawfully removed Barr. Caleb Mutfwang from office on assumption of office as Governor in 2015. Mutfwang and other democratically elected Local Government Chairmen in the State were only 1year and 3months in office out of a 3year-tenure, when they were illegally removed.
To this date, the Plateau State Government’s Local Government Service Commission under Governor Simon Lalong, a Lawyer by training, still owes Barr. Caleb Mutfwang salaries of his last 2 months in office.
Before the town hall meeting, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, his running mate, Hon. Josephine Piyo, the State Party Chairman, Hon. Chris Hassan, the Director General Atiku/Mutfwang Campaign Council, Chief Letep Dabang, and a team of distinguished candidates for various positions in the Southern Zone and stakeholders, toured Wase LGA, engaging with the people and delivering the message of hope to the nooks and crannies of the area, as incapsulated in PDP’s vision for the State.
With the blessings of the Emir of Wase, His Royal Highness, Alh. (Dr) Muhammadu Sambo Haruna, the team proceeded to pay homage to the Ponzhi Kadarko 1, Chief Lot Nden, and his people, at his palace in Kadarko.
The visit to the Aku of Mavo Palace was a mesmerizing spectacle that exceeded the expectations of the team. A jubilant crowd of enthusiastic residents escorted the august visitors into the village, where an equally joyous crowd was waiting, all in a fashion reminiscent of the biblical triumphant entry.
Having received royal blessings from HRH Muhammed Tafida Asi, the Aku of Mavo, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang met the people of the Jukun Kingdom on the Plateau, outside the gates of the palace, where he showed them the vision he has of a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State.
In Bashar, the Rekna of Bashar HRH Muhammadu Abdullahi Idris, in a warm and friendly manner, welcomed the team to his palace, and opened the gates of his domain for the team to meet his people. He treated the team to a brief reception, and presented a strong and healthy ram to the governorship candidate, while wishing him well on his way to having a date with destiny.
Earlier, the team was at the palace of the Hakimin Lamba HRH Usman Adamu Manzo. The governorship hopeful met with the traditional council, and interfaced with a cross section of community leaders, and residents.
Overall, the generosity of the Rekna of Bashar was symbolic, as it represents the beginning of a new era of brotherhood on the Plateau. It is the essence of the vision of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, to unite and rebuild the State for peace and prosperity.
Nigeria Star News 