Plateau State Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress Party, APC, was not to take over but to add value to the party.
Mutfwang gave the assurance during a ceremony to formally receive him into the APC.
The governor, who noted that the broom, which was the symbol of the APC signified unity of purpose, adding that his coming into the party was to strengthen national unity.
“The symbol of the APC as a broom symbolises that many pieces tied together in one bundle is much more effective than just single pieces, I therefore want to thank my brothers who I met in the APC in the state.
“Led by Sen. Bako Lalong, who has graciously referred to me as the leader of the party in the state, I want to thank you for that exhibition of maturity.
My deep appreciation also goes to Prof Nentawe, the Party’s Chairman, and all that have been in leadership positions in APC on the Plateau.
“We have not come to take over, but to add value to the party, we have come to make you better and stronger, we have come that together all political rivalry on the Plateau will henceforth stop.
“And together, we will reap the benefits of unity,” he said.
Also Read: Tinubu’s emissary on peace mission arrives Plateau State
While also expressing immense gratitude to the president and his team for the support showed him in spite of not being an APC member, Mutfwang emphasised that his defection wa founded on his conviction that the Tinubu was the right leader for the country.
“I want to pay my respects to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who specifically invited me to join this new movement that is taking Nigeria to greater heights.
“I want to thank all of you for turning up this afternoon in solidarity with us and the people of Plateau State. Thank you all for this great honour today.
“As already been said, this is a day of history, we have formally begun a journey, the journey of redefining the political demographics of Nigeria, which will reposition Plateau as a must win state in future elections.
“I am persuaded that the people of Plateau, with whom we have found favour, have agreed with us that we will support President Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
“I know that the times are challenging, but I can tell you confidently that in my private conversations with him, I have seen his passion and commitment to rejigging Nigeria and putting it on the path of prosperity, unity and progress,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who acknowledged the need for unity in the nation and in the state, recalled Martin Luther King’s words: “We either learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.”
He noted that the unity of the nation was sacrosanct and could not be overemphasised and urged Mutfwang and the people of Plateau to promote peace and unity at all times.
“I want to remind the people of Plateau that what binds us together supercedes what divides us,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that among those who received the governor into the APC included the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, 26 state governors, senators, state and other national leaders of the party, as well as Shettima, among others.
NAN
