22nd June, 2022

The atmosphere was charged with songs of solidarity from women who sang and danced in appreciation of Plateau State Gubernatorial hopeful, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang for picking one of their own, Hon. Mrs Josephine Piyo as his Deputy Governorship candidate for the 2023 election.

The historic event took place on Tuesday 21 June, 2022 at the State Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Barr. Mutfwang unveiled Mrs Josephine Piyo as his running mate amidst excitement.

Interestingly, the event had in attendance the PDP State Working Committee, party chairmen across the 17 Local Government Areas, National and State Assembly members, women, youths and other critical stakeholders of the party who endorsed the choice.

The Gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, who unveiled the Deputy Governorship candidate before the party faithful, said the decision was a tough one due to the cream of thorough breadth politicians who equally qualify to occupy the same position.

Mutfwang said the decision was tough but very necessary to give the women folk a voice and sense of belonging in leadership consideration in the state.

He described Mrs. Piyo as a grassroot mobilizer, cosmopolitan politician, a loyal party woman, who brings along with her a wealth of experience, having served our great State dutifully and diligently as a Nurse, Teacher before venturing into politics when she got elected into the Plateau State House of Assembly in 1999.

Mutfwang explained that the decision was taken after far-reaching consultations with leaders of the Party, Stakeholders, and various Caucuses to enhance the joint ticket going into the general elections.

“Today is a day of history. I must begin to demonstrate my capacity for leadership by taking a very tough decision-the choice of a Deputy Governorship candidate for our great party.

“Fortunately for me, I have an array of qualified men and women to choose from. Ironically it is a difficult one since it can only be one person! In making this decision, I have made far-reaching consultations with leaders of our Party, Stakeholders, and various Caucuses before choosing my Running Mate.”

Mutfwang, who demostrated uncommon patriotism for service to Plateau State, said women are a critical segment of the society who are often neglected in leadership considerations despite their numerical strength in terms of population.

“Some of you will recall that in the course of my campaigns before the party primaries, I made a commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless. I make bold to say that a critical segment of our society that is often neglected in leadership considerations is the women folk and yet they form a formidable percentage of our population.

“For me giving them a voice is a compelling necessity. I therefore have the honour and privilege of introducing to our party members and Plateau people a respected Plateau woman, mother, grandmother, daughter of Barkin Ladi, wife of the people of Riyom.

“She trained as a healthcare worker and served as public administrator before becoming a consummate politician. Ladies and gentlemen behold the Honourable Mrs. Josephine Chundung Piyo, as my Running Mate.”

He described Mrs Piyo as a grassroot mobilizer, a cosmopolitan politician who has been a member of the State House of Assembly, former Special Adviser to Executive Governor of Plateau State and a former Local Government Chairman.

Mutfwang passionately appealed to every true party man and woman of good conscience to join hands with him in the great task of winning the 2023 elections to bring succour and prosperity to Plateau people.

The Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs. Piyo described Mutfwang as a man of honour who is gender sensitive in his determination to rebuild Plateau State.

She pledged her unreserved loyalty to Mutfwang and the party, and said together, they will rebuild and take Plateau to enviable heights where every citizen would be secured.

Chairman of the party, Hon. Chris Hassan assured that the party would form a robust and all inclusive campaign team that will bring back PDP to power in 2023.

He appealed to governorship aspirants and all those who contested elections in the party to remain united and work in unison in the interest of Plateau people.

However, some respected citizens of Plateau State who spoke separately after the event, described the choice of Hon. Mrs. Josephine Piyo as the best for the state, not because she is more credible than others who jostled for the position but would be able to demonstrate neutrality in stabilizing the political force and galvanizing the winning votes within Plateau North where she hails from.

The joint ticket also balances between the young and the old, the men and the women; giving every segment of society equal opportunity to function maximally in governance and decision making for the rebuilding of Plateau State.

©BCMMedia

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Politics of inclusivity: The choice of Caleb Mutfwang’s Running Mate and What Plateau Stands to Gain