The All Progressives Congress in Plateau State has criticised the state’s Peoples Democratic Party chairman, Chris Hassan, over his recent praise for Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.
Hassan, during a press conference on Thursday, commended Mutfwang for his leadership, development efforts, and the administration’s focus on equity and justice, highlighting the governor’s achievements in less than two years in office.
He also urged PDP members to stay calm amid defections to the APC.
He noted that Mutfwang’s achievements in less than two years are remarkable and a testament to the solid trust and satisfaction in the leadership and direction of the party.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of our party faithful and the good people of Plateau State who have reposed confidence in us. We are aware of a lot of threats of defection across some states. We have noted some isolated cases of defections by a few party members to our political parties.
“Let me therefore urge all party members to remain calm and resolute. Defections are not new in political party processes of this nature. However, we are confident that the strength and credibility of the PDP are founded on the struggles of our Plateau people.
“We assure the leadership of our party to consolidate on our gains. We will continue to provide the needed platform for the aspirations of our people. Everything is under control and better days still lie ahead for us.”
However, the APC hit back in a statement on Friday, calling Hassan’s comments “funny” and “coerced,” questioning the chairman’s relevance and understanding of the state’s issues.
The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Shittu Bamaiyi, who signed the statement, pointed out that the PDP administration has failed to account for the huge funds accruing to the state, including federal allocations and internally generated revenue.
He described it as “foolhardy” for the PDP to claim a vote of confidence from the people of Plateau State, given the party’s poor stewardship.
He said, “The beleaguered chairman could be excused because, since the Mutfwang administration came on board, he was not only rendered irrelevant but thrown in the catacomb of frustration, and so, could hardly talk with verifiable data as well as empirically consolidate on the gains of the PDP-led administration in the state.
“If he was serious and well-informed, the Chairman could have pointedly mentioned the area where the Mutfwang administration outshone the past APC administration.
“It is a notorious fact that the issue of the PDP administration’s non-performance is as sickening as painful to the people of the state when viewed as the backdrop of the three times federation allocation currently being enjoyed as against what was given to the last government.
“What is more painful and shameful is the fact that the PDP-led administration has remained mum and also failed to account for the humongous money accruing to it, in the form of federal allocation, internally generated revenue, and other intervention funds.
“Therefore, it is foolhardy, unthinkable and unbelievable for the same people of Plateau State to pass a vote of confidence when the PDP-led administration’s stewardship is in question.
“This also brings to question, Chris’s frantic efforts in appealing to his demoralised members to remain calm in the face of desertion from the PDP, which in itself, is a vote of no confidence on the Party and its leadership at all levels,” he stated.
The APC Publicity Secretary expressed delight over the serial defections to the party, citing it as a testament to the APC’s growing popularity.
He hinted at possible defections from the PDP’s top brass and the Chief Executive to the APC, saying the party will continue to live up to its billings.
“If anything, the unsavoury development speaks volumes about the PDP in all respects, hence the rumours making the rounds of the possible defection of the Party’s top brass and the Chief Executive to the APC in the State.
The beautiful bride that it is presently, the APC is encouraged and inspired by the serial defections to the Party, and as such, will continue to live up to its billings,” the statement added.
