From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Governor-elect of Plateau State, Manasseh Mutfwang
The Campaign Directorate of Governor-elect of Plateau State has reacted to viral video clips on social media which appeared to show some unidentified persons that purportedly took it upon themselves to harass members of an opposition party in Mangu LGA following the victorious emergence of Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as the governor.
Director, Directorate of Media & Publicity, Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council Yiljap Abraham said “similar incidents have been reported to have occurred in some areas of Kanam and Kanke LGAs where supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were also allegedly attacked. The narratives behind some of the alleged attacks are the vile attempts to attribute them to the Governor-elect.
We must state unequivocally that attacks by some citizens on fellow citizens are totally unnecessary and uncalled for. This is because all candidates in the recently concluded governorship election remained brotherly and accommodating towards one another in all their meetings.
In addition, the campaigns of the then PDP Candidate Barrister Caleb Mutfwang were characterised by the peaceful and orderly conduct of officials and crowds of supporters of the party right across the state. As a matter of fact, they were the ones attacked in some places, particularly Shendam.
Moreover, when public agitations were mounting on account of fictitious election results from Jos North LGA being circulated on social media purportedly to indicate that the PDP had lost the governorship election, was Barr Mutfwang who rose to the occasion and personally called for calm.
He followed it quickly with another appeal for peace within 24 hours when the electoral processes were nearing completion. He cautioned the citizens against responding to provocations which he saw as attempts to disrupt and abort the processes.
“The Governor-elect does not approve of wild and provocative celebrations capable of instigating violence.
We assert that those who have perpetrated such acts have done so on their own and not on behalf of the Governor-elect.
“Consequently, the Directorate is appealing to members of the public, particularly supporters of the PDP to be magnanimous in victory and see supporters of those who contested with the Governor-Elect as brothers and sisters.
“We call on security agencies to investigate, apprehend and prosecute in accordance with relevant laws anyone suspected of being involved in provocation and assault, including the circumstances surrounding the uploading of the videos on social media.
“The victory of His Excellency Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is a victory for Plateau people across ethnic and religious lines. It has sent waves upon waves of joy all over Plateau and across her borders.
“The Governor-elect, Barr Caleb Mutfwang remains a man of peace.
