How I’ll tackle killings in Plateau State – Mutfwang

Ahead of the May 29 handover ceremony, Plateau State Governor-Elect, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has expressed readiness to tackle insecurity, spate of killings and other challenges in the state.

Reacting to the recent killings in Plateau State, Mutfwang, in an interview on Channels Television, and monitored by our correspondent, admitted that though the task ahead of his administration is a herculean one, he is determined to nip insecurity and mindless killings in the bud.

He said, “Unfortunately, sadly enough it is my local government. The people that have been killed are my people even though everybody on the Plateau are my people. Certainly, we knew all along that this was not going to be a walk in the park, this was not going to be an easy task and by the grace of God we are determined.

“One of the things we promised our people when we were campaigning was that we are going to demonstrate leadership and by that we are going to take some very tough decisions. We are going to look into the issues very dispassionately and we are going to confront the issues and come up with solutions.

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“Of course, I do not have the magic wand and by the grace of God, together with the people we are going to think through our issues and come up with home grown solutions that confront us. We are going to give leadership, we are going to show the people that we have the political will to take the decisions that are necessary to take the state forward.”

Speaking on what and who could be responsible for killings in the state, he said; “It would be an injustice to the people who were killed to call it a clash or a reprisal. I want to address it from the criminal angle of it. One of the things we promised our people is that we are going to be strong on the rule of law. It doesn’t matter who commits crime irrespective of where you belong, we will have to deal with it headlong.”

Poised for the job ahead of him, Mutfwang expressed optimism on his capacity to deliver as promised during his campaigns.

He said, “Like they say uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Since the declaration, we have been thinking, strategizing and putting our plans together. The weight of the assignment is beginning to dawn.

“I come in with empathy. My trajectory has been one that has prepared me for service. I have been a people-oriented person all my life and I have been in a position to bear the burden of people therefore, nothing prepares you in life than to know that people know they can trust you and that you will be there for them.”

Asked if his administration would look into the books of his predecessor, he said; “We will do the normal thing in the normal course of business. If anybody is found wanting, we certainly will call him to order, we will call him to account.”

Mutfwang, a former local government chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, beat the trend of incumbent political parties winning their states in the March 18, 2023 governorship election to emerge governor-elect of Plateau State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.