Plateau gov’s defection to APC yielding results, says LG chair

The defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to the All Progressives Congress has started yielding results for the state, the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Dr Joshua Sunday Riti, has said.

Riti spoke on Wednesday when he received stakeholders from Kwall community at the council secretariat, insisting that the governor’s decision to join the ruling party was strategic and in the best interest of Plateau State.

According to him, since Mutfwang defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in December 2025, the state has begun to attract more federal presence.

He said, “We want to thank His Excellency, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, for taking the bold and strategic decision to join the APC. That decision is already yielding results for Plateau State.”

Just a few weeks after the defection, Mr President approved the construction of the Akwanga-Jos road, which has been a nightmare for our people for many years. That is a direct benefit of aligning with the centre.

“Just recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the dualisation and construction of the Mararaban Jama’a–Mangu–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi Road (a 400-kilometre superhighway) linking Plateau and Taraba states following a request made by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

“The route connects Mararaban Jama’a through Mangu, Kanke, Langtang, Shendam (in Plateau State) down to River Ibi in Taraba State.”

Riti said other projects being attracted to the state since the defection included the approval for the recruitment of 1,000 Plateau youths as forest guards to boost security and the renewed commitment by the Federal Government to construct other road projects linking Plateau to Taraba State.

He said, “Before now, we were in opposition and it was difficult to get federal attention. But today, because we are now in the same party with the federal government, doors are opening. More projects are coming, more appointments will come, and Plateau will benefit.”

The development comes as the state government continues to pursue major road infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the 41-kilometre Bisichi–Fan–Mangu Halle Road, which was flagged off by Mutfwang on Wednesday.

The road project, according to the governor, is expected to strengthen connectivity across Plateau’s three senatorial districts and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.

Riti called on the people of Bassa LGA and Plateau State at large to support Mutfwang and President Bola Tinubu to enable them to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

“Politics is about development. The governor has shown that his defection is not about personal interest but about the progress of Plateau. We in Bassa LGA are fully behind him,” he stated.

The chairman assured stakeholders from Kwall community of his administration’s commitment to security and development in the area.

The stakeholders, led by Daniel Chaka, said they were at the council secretariat to commend the chairman for his development strides in their communities.

Chaka said since Riti assumed office, they had seen development in Kwall and other parts of Bassa Local Government Area.

They particularly identified grassroots development, infrastructure, peacebuilding, welfare, human capital development and the wellbeing of residents as key areas of focus under the “Rebuild Bassa” agenda.

The stakeholders, comprising community leaders, APC representatives and other individuals within Bassa LGA, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the council chairman and urged him to continue the good work.

Responding, Riti thanked the stakeholders for the visit and for appreciating his administration’s efforts.

He called for continued unity and support from the people, saying his administration would continue to operate an open-door policy for all stakeholders in the local government.

Meanwhile, Mutfwang on Wednesday flagged off the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the 41-kilometre Bisichi–Fan–Mangu Halle Road, a strategic project designed to strengthen connectivity across Plateau’s three senatorial districts and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.

Performing the flag-off ceremony at Fan District, the governor said the road, originally awarded in December 2012 to Eighteen Engineering International Construction Company as a surface-dressed road on a laterite base, had now been comprehensively upgraded to a full asphalt road in response to changing traffic demands and the deteriorating condition of the existing infrastructure.

The governor said the decision to undertake the comprehensive reconstruction reflected his administration’s determination to provide durable infrastructure that would serve present and future generations.

“Upon completion, this road will reduce travel time, improve road safety, facilitate access to markets, healthcare facilities, schools and other essential services.

“It will also complement other strategic road projects of this administration, including the Foron–Bakin Kogi–Kadunu–Gindiri Road, further strengthening connectivity across Plateau State,” he said.

Mutfwang also announced that President Tinubu had granted full approval for the Mararaban Jama’a–Mangu–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, describing the approval as another significant demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to the development of Plateau State.

He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his support, goodwill and friendship towards the people of Plateau State, noting that the collaboration between the state and Federal Governments was opening new opportunities for infrastructure, economic growth and improved livelihoods.

The governor commended the people of Fan and Barkin-Ladi for their cooperation and willingness to make land available for development, assuring them that the government would continue to pursue programmes that directly improve their livelihoods.

He disclosed that the administration was also working towards introducing modern greenhouse agricultural systems, which require less land while delivering higher yields, as part of efforts to expand agricultural productivity and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.

The Commissioner for Works, Dr Cletus Shurkuk, described the road as a vital economic and social link, stressing that its completion would improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities, create opportunities and enhance the quality of life of citizens across the benefiting communities.

The Chairman of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, Hon Stephen Pwajok, and the Da Gwom Rwai of Fan, Da Iliya Dashwai, expressed appreciation to Mutfwang for the project and pledged the continued support and cooperation of the people of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area.

They also assured the contractor of the cooperation of the host communities to ensure that the project was delivered according to specification and within the agreed timeframe.

The Site Engineer of Eighteen Engineering International Construction Company assured the government and people of Plateau State that the company would deliver the project within the agreed specifications and timeframe.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to building infrastructure that was durable, impactful and capable of supporting Plateau State’s long-term economic transformation.