By Gyang Bere
If you want to measure the degree of animosity against any government in Plateau state, all you need to do is to wait until an election has been completed and a new government is installed.
No matter what anyone thinks about the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang in the last 30 days since assumption of office, a lot of positive things have happened.
What is more, it is in the realisation of the enormous responsibilities placed on his shoulders that many citizens have asked questions on where the state should be heading to, on account of the promises made during the electioneering campaigns.
The opportunity presented for constructive criticism through citizens’ civic responsibility is to help government face the task of administration.
In more ways than one, Mutfwang’s administration has welcomed all shades of criticisms and opinions from day one.
But no matter the amount of propaganda against its reputation, doing things differently has, thankfully become its middle name.
Thankfully, most have come to realization that the new administration is doing things to satisfy the generality of the citizens of Plateau state.
The governor was prepared for governance amidst daunting challenges inherited from his predecessor.
But the rot and institutional decay the state was plunged into in the last eight years was a task that needed to be addressed by the new administration.
Considering the enormous support and goodwill he received from the Plateau people to flush out the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power he cannot afford to fail.
Taking a holistic look at some of the challenges the new government met on ground in various sectors of the economy of the state, any patriotic person would read meanings into them.
They appear to have been carefully programmed as booby traps set up to crush the PDP administration, whose philosophy and clear-cut vision is to champion the course of humanity and better the lot of the people.
Given the mess on ground, some pundits have even concluded that, had the APC won the gubernatorial election on March 18, 2023, the challenges it would have met on ground on assumption of office would have overwhelmed it.
The overwhelming support of the PDP, by the people is helping to change the concept of governance.
It is common knowledge that in the midst of the daunting challenges, under which any governor may lose sleep and wonder what may have hit him, Governor Mutfwang, who kick started his administration about a month ago, firmly believe that despite the banana peels lined up for him and his party, failure wasn’t on his agenda.
One of those is the inheritance of unpaid salaries running into N11 billion. He may not get help from the federal government as it was for the last administration where several tranches emanating from the Paris Club refund were able to upset wage bills, hence his resolve to get a loan of N15 billion from United Bank for Africa (UBA) to pay salaries and engage in other development projects.
If the supporters of the government that had just departed thought he would easily cave in on account of the slimy but slippery grounds, all eyes were set on him, particularly the opposition APC to watch his dancing steps; and praying silently with mischief in mind to slip for obvious ridicule.
They must have felt appalled, with consternation, but more disappointed that Governor Mutfwang’s take-off was a clear demonstration that he was indeed prepared and equipped with sufficient capacity for the journey that would tackle myriads of challenges inherited from the previous administration.
No wonder, they have remained at the level of malevolence, plotting at each turn what could be done to ensure he became a laughing stock, while he lasted in power.
They say it is during adversity that the resolve of a leader could be tested.
The political courage summoned by the governor to provide the needed leadership and maneuvering his way out of the slippery ground by taking off strongly; wielding enormous political will to deal with the resurgence of insecurity that confronted the state weeks before his inauguration.
Many would recall that for over two decades, the state has been embroiled by recurring violent attacks, resulting in the destruction of lives and property.
The ferocity of the attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom few days before his inauguration are enough to test his will power.
He immediately sought the attention of Mr. President and the former Inspector General of Police Usman Baba to deploy more security personnel in the trouble areas.
However, determined to make the right mark, Mutfwang remained focused, steady, firm and unshakable, by drawing strength from the rule of law. He was the more, divinely inspired in taking critical and tough decisions with the sole aim of returning the state on the path of recovery, growth and development. It was nonetheless his point of departure with some elements that preferred that things should be operated in the old order.
Those who have followed his activities over time can attest to the fact that Mutfwang never complained nor cast aspersion on the state of dilapidated infrastructure, collapsed government institutions, widening religious and ethnic division inherited from his predecessor.
His first day in office, inauguration on May 29, 2023, was heralded with prayers, to seek divine guidance and interventions for the rebuilding of Plateau.
That symbolic start, for all intent and purposes couldn’t have been lost in a man whose relationship with God is not a matter of conjecture.
Worried by the extent of destruction on communities by marauding terrorists over the years, immediately after his inauguration, he swung into action by convening a State Security Council meeting where he was furnished with detailed security challenges and what is needed to assure people that his government cares.
To make meaning out of his engagements with security chiefs in the state, the need for closer collaboration with the existing security apparatus at the federal level, using multifaceted human approaches to secure innocent communities who are terrorized daily by bandits suspected to be herdsmen militia became manifest.
What more, to feel the pulse of the victims, the following day, Mutfwang was on the road to visit all the flash points where people were attacked, maimed and killed without any reason.
To get to the root of the attacks for a solution, a crack Brig-General, Gakji Shipi has been brought on board as the Security Adviser.
The suspension of local government chairmen and councilors must be noted was based on the recommendation of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Taking a look at the new Transition Implementation Chairmen, it can be observed that they young persons imbued with fresh ideas to transform the local government areas.
The suspension was based on the inability of the local government chairmen to make available records of their income and expenditures to the House which contravened the principles of transparency, accountability and fairness to which the current administration professes and held in high regards.
This action was necessary to provide a common ground for the House to investigate activities of the chairmen within the period in office.
Certain categories of employment made in the twilight of the Lalong administration have been suspended due largely to non-adherence to due process. Those who have come hard on Governor Mutfwang on the issue will soon discovered that all did not go well following report of findings.
Already, some critical appointments spread across the three zones have been made to stabilize the government.
All those appointed are coming with fresh ideas that are capable of catapulting the administration that hit the road running from day one into prominence.
In the coming days and weeks, more of such would be made, and it is possible all sectors of the state would be given fair treatment and representation.
Even when it has been reported that the governor does not intend to investigate the last administration, there are some infractions made by it or its officials that will not be left unchecked.
Leaving them unchecked will amount to acquiescence by this administration; a path that Mutfwang has sworn to avoid.
If tough decisions have been taken to right the wrongs of the past, it is because sanity has got to be injected for once.
The governor also set up a committee headed by Nde Isaac Wadak, a retired permanent secretary to identify and trace all government properties that were purportedly auctioned across the country by the Lalong administration.
Although many have interpreted the action as witch-hunt, Governor Mutfwang has his mandate clearly cut: Return Plateau from the precipice and make it great again. The Time is now to unite and make Plateau great. Together, we are greater as a people, the Time Is Now!
Bere is the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA) to Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
