…Calls for seamless transition, unity among citizens

Jos – The Coalition for Democratic Sustainability and Good Governance (CDSGG) has called for a peaceful and orderly transition of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging political actors, elders, and citizens to prioritise unity, stability, and the development of Plateau State.

Speaking on Friday during a press conference in Jos, the leader of the group, Nurudeen Inuwa highlighted the importance of Governor Mutfwang’s defection, describing it as a pragmatic realignment designed to protect the interests of the people of Plateau.

The move, CDSGG said, presents an opportunity to strengthen ties with the federal government under President Bola Tinubu, potentially accelerating development projects, enhancing investment inflows, and ensuring the State’s voice is prominent at the national level.

The coalition acknowledged that the defection has generated mixed reactions across political lines. While some have welcomed the move, others have expressed concerns over Party loyalty and democratic ethics.

CDSGG appealed to members of both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to approach the transition with political magnanimity, stressing the need to rise above bitterness and partisan rivalry.

“Leadership demands flexibility, and democratic sustainability demands sacrifice,” CDSGG said.

The coalition called on all stakeholders, including youths, women, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations, to champion a culture of unity, cooperation, and political maturity, and urged social media users to exercise caution in raising opinions and avoid spreading narratives that could inflame political tensions.

In a formal appeal, CDSGG proposed a “soft landing” mechanism for the transition, advocating for confidential, elders-brokered agreements to prevent public acrimony.

It also called for a public reaffirmation of a bipartisan “Plateau Development Compact” to ensure all political decisions are guided by the state’s development priorities, and for the protection of political space to prevent victimisation or exclusion of any citizen, irrespective of Party affiliation.

The coalition emphasised that the ultimate measure of success should be whether political decisions advance the tangible development and welfare of Plateau State and its people.

It urged stakeholders to adopt a higher perspective, the Plateau perspective, which prioritises community peace, investor confidence, continuity of governance, and social cohesion over partisan interests.

CDSGG stressed the importance of leaving a legacy of unity and strategic stability, urging the State’s elders and leaders to steer Plateau away from divisive politics and towards progressive consensus and sustainable development.