The Director-General of the Mutfwang Presidential Campaign Organisation in Plateau State, Sir Joseph Ari, has said President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state presents an opportunity for Plateau to strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government and attract more development projects.
Ari said Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had positioned Plateau to have a voice in federal decision-making, creating opportunities for the state to attract projects and other dividends of democracy.
He stated this in an interview ahead of Tinubu’s November 14 presidential campaign rally in Jos.
According to him, being part of the ruling party provides Plateau with an opportunity to participate in discussions and negotiations at the national level where important decisions affecting the country are made.
“When you are part of the decision-making process at the national level, you stand a better chance of attracting the dividends of democracy to your people,” he said.
Ari cited the Akwanga-Jos road project as one of the federal infrastructure interventions he said had been secured for the state, noting that construction was ongoing.
He described the project as particularly important to Plateau, given its potential to improve transportation and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets.
He also disclosed that approval had been granted for another road project linking Taraba Jama through Pankshin, Langtang and Shendam, terminating at Ibi in Taraba State.
According to him, the proposed road would open up parts of Plateau and ease transportation difficulties for residents.
“These are some of the benefits of belonging to the mainstream of political decision-making in Nigeria,” he said.
The campaign organisation’s director-general maintained that the President’s visit was an important opportunity for Plateau, adding that the state hoped to maximise the occasion for the benefit of its people.
Ari had earlier commended Mutfwang for his efforts in securing Tinubu’s physical presence at the rally, describing the visit as an opportunity for the state to engage with the President and other national leaders of the APC.
He said the rally would also provide economic opportunities for residents, particularly business owners in the hospitality and tourism sectors, through increased patronage from visitors expected in Jos.
He expressed optimism that the visit would be successful, urging residents to cooperate with security agencies and maintain peace throughout the President’s stay in the state.
