Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu inherited Nigeria in an intensive care unit (ICU) when he took office but has gradually placed the country on the path to recovery through his administration’s policies.
Mutfwang made the remarks on Saturday at the APC North-Central Presidential Campaign Rally held at Zaria Road Stadium in Jos, where he pledged Plateau State’s support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The governor said, “You met Nigeria in the intensive care unit, and through the policies you have administered, like a drug, you have been able to bring Nigeria out of the intensive care unit. We are now in recovery.”
He expressed confidence that continued implementation of the President’s policies would move the country beyond recovery to prosperity, insisting that Tinubu remained the preferred choice for the 2027 election.
“We are confident that if you continue, we will not only recover but prosper as well. That is why we are determined that in the 2027 election, there is no alternative for us. We will stick with you and go with you.”
Mutfwang described Tinubu as a friend of Plateau State and the North-Central region, pointing to Federal Government interventions in road construction, education and healthcare as evidence of his commitment.
“We consider you as a friend of Plateau State and North-Central Nigeria in general. You have demonstrated your love for our state and our region through the developmental strides we have seen in road infrastructure, education and healthcare.”
He disclosed that students in tertiary institutions across Plateau had benefited from over N11 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme.
The governor also appreciated the President for approving the Akwanga-Jos road and the Jos-Shendam road, extending towards Ebonyi State.
“On the Plateau, students in tertiary institutions have received assistance through the NELFUND scheme to the tune of over N11 billion. You have approved the road from Akwanga to Jos. You have also approved the road from Jos to Shendam, right through to Ebonyi. We are truly grateful,” he said.
Mutfwang equally praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her generosity and support for Plateau residents, recalling her visit to the state with gifts.
“Your dear wife, our mother, is a darling of the Plateau people. We now know that we have a mother in Aso Rock. When she came visiting us, she did not come empty-handed. Like a good mother, she came with a bag full of gifts for our people, and we will always be grateful,” he said.
Reflecting on his earlier promise to reciprocate the President’s kindness during his previous visit, Mutfwang declared that the 2027 election would provide an opportunity for Plateau residents to show their appreciation through their votes.
“The time has come and the time is now. By the grace of God, we are going to show our gratitude come January 16, 2027, because we have seen a man who loves us.”
He further predicted that the state’s political decision would influence neighbouring communities, expressing confidence that Tinubu would receive unprecedented support from Plateau voters.
“When Plateau takes a direction, many other communities that share affinity with it will also follow suit. We are confident that the votes we will give Mr President in this election will be unprecedented,” he said.
On security, the governor commended the Federal Government for its assistance, noting that Plateau had recorded considerable progress in addressing insecurity over the preceding three months.
“In the last three months particularly, we have made tremendous progress in dealing with insurgency. Like you have often said, we will defeat insurgency, and already we can see victory on the way.”
He expressed optimism that sustained commitment and support would help eliminate threats to peace and development.
Mutfwang also appealed to Tinubu to assist in facilitating the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities, promising to present a comprehensive plan for their resettlement.
“We will continue to solicit your help, Mr President, to make sure that our people who are internally displaced return to their ancestral homes.
“We will be approaching you with a Marshall Plan for the return of our people to their ancestral homes. It is going to require substantial intervention from you, and we are confident that what you have done before, you will do again,” he said.
The governor further appealed for Federal Government intervention in completing the Zaria Road Stadium, noting that the project began approximately four decades ago.
“Mr President, I will be pleading with you on behalf of the Plateau people. Please roll away our reproach. We need your help to make this stadium one of the international stadiums in Nigeria. I am sure it will become a symbol of pride for you when this is done,” he said.
Additionally, Mutfwang revealed that his administration had established an employment hub expected to provide opportunities for 2,000 young people to work remotely for organisations in America and Europe.
He said his government had also created a technology hub to strengthen security operations through the use of technology to identify and track criminals.
“We have created an employment hub for 2,000 young people who will be working in America and Europe from the comfort of their homes here in Jos.
“We have also created another hub for technology so that we can deploy effective technology for the detection of criminals,” he said.
The governor added that his administration had purchased more buses to improve transportation and ease the movement of residents across the state.