By: Valentine Adese (JP),
The issues of who becomes the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates for the forthcoming Plateau State, 2023 Governorship contest has come and gone, as Hon. Caleb Mutfwang and Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda have emerged as candidates of the PDP and the APC, after their respective governorship primaries in Jos.
Although, four (4) other Aspirants in the PDP stepped down just before the election started without any record of intimidation, Hon. Mutfwang scored a total of 252 votes to beat 18 other aspirants to clinch the party’s ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections.
From the record obtained by REALITY, the summary of the result of the primary are as reproduced below:-
Mr. Dapal Alfred Ali, 92 Votes, Dr. Mazadu Dader Bako, 03 Votes, Hon. Caleb Mutfwang, 252 Votes, Chief Jonathan Akuns, 16 Votes, Timothy Golu, Nil (Stepped Down), Gushop Jerry Danjuma 06 Votes, Jack Yakubu Pam = Nil (Stepped Down), Chief Dauda Wuritka Gotring, 88 Votes, Hirse Bagudu Mutle, 01 Vote, Satu Jatau Jewun, 09 Votes, David Shikdu Parradang, 04 Votes, Pastor Vincent Nanle, Nil (Stepped Down), Letep Dabang, Nil (Stepped Down), Best Shadrach Gaya, 04 Votes, Mr. Alex Ladan, 02 Votes, John Sura, 03 Votes, Chief Wungak Kefas, 113 Votes and Lenka Dewa, 0 Votes.
On his part, the former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue State, Dr. Nentanwe Yilwatda emerged the candidate of APC after polling a total of 803 votes to beat three other aspirants.
REALITY gathered that, Nine (9) Aspirants were in the race, but however, before voting commenced, some of the Aspirants sent in their letters of withdrawal from the contest.
According to the Chairman of the electoral Committee, Hon. Habu Ajiya, those who withdrew from the contest include, Sunday Garba Biggs, Dr. Sarpiya Danyaro, Sen. Hezekiah Dimka and Arch. Steve Fitka.
There are however, reports making the rounds that, the withdrawals of these Aspirants were largely based on alleged threats. REALITY is yet to confirm this allegation.
Reports also have it that, other Aspirants like, the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden, Dr. Patrick Dakum and David Dimka, staged a walk out just before voting commenced.
In an interview with Journalists, immediately after emerging victorious at the Governorship primary election of the PDP at his residence in Jos, the PDP flag bearer, Hon. Caleb Mutfwang, thank God and the members of the PDP for the opportunity given to him to take the huge responsibility of a flag bearer.
He said, he is not too qualified than his contestants, but that God must have fixed this as his time, while promising to reach out to his fellow contestants and inviting them to join hands with him to take power out of the hands of the APC administration in the state.
In part, Hon. Caleb said, “I feel honoured, I feel privileged to be entrusted with such a huge responsibility, to be the flag bearer of the PDP in Plateau state for the 2023 election.
“Again, I must say it is quite humbling to be entrusted with such responsibility. I did not get elected because I am the best or because the other contestants were not qualified. I believe that, this is God’s hands and plan that it should be me at this point and time and I really say I am humbled.
“I contested with many. We were 18 when the contest began and I must tell you that, I have maintained a very excellent relationship with virtually all the Aspirants and Co-contestants and in my acceptance speech, I did say that, this is a victory not just for me, but for PDP and Plateau State.
“I therefore believe that, there is no victor in this exercise and I will definitely be reaching out to my Co-contestants so that, we can work together as a team.
“For the PDP family, all I want to say immediately is that we should all unite and go into the 2023 election as a united force and for the people of Plateau State, I want to assure them that hope is in the horizon. That by the Grace of God, when PDP returns to power, when it is given the trust and mandate to lead the state again, that we will certainly, left Plateau to a higher level”.
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