Senator Diket Plang (APC/Plateau)
Lawmaker representing Plateau Central in the National Assembly, Senator Diket Plang, has endorsed the defection of Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic decision capable of strengthening the state’s influence at the federal level.
Speaking during a media interaction in Jos, the senator said political alignment between Plateau State and the federal government would enhance the state’s capacity to attract federal presence, projects and policy attention. He stressed that governance and development considerations should take precedence over partisan sentiments.
According to him, effective federal lobbying often depends on synergy between the state government, lawmakers and the ruling party at the centre, noting that such alignment reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks and accelerates decision-making.
Drawing from personal experience, Plang cited the establishment of the University of Mines, Mining and Geosciences as an example of how collective political backing is essential for securing major federal interventions.
He said, “As a member of the National Assembly, I need to have a governor who is on the same page with me. I also need to have a party and a president on the same page.
“Lobbying at the national level has different faces. There are times you need your governor to stand by you. When you have a governor in the ruling party and a president in the same party, lobbying becomes cheaper and much more effective.
“When I wanted the University of Mines, Mining and Geosciences, I needed a governor. I needed everybody in the party shouting for it. These things don’t just happen by individual effort; they require collective political strength.”
Addressing concerns that Plateau residents may be sacrificing political ideology for convenience, the senator argued that Nigerian politics has historically been driven by collective interest rather than strict party loyalty. He maintained that political decisions should be assessed based on their potential benefits to the people.
Plang emphasized that the governor’s defection should be viewed strictly through the lens of Plateau’s development and not partisan rivalry, noting that any political move that improves the state’s access to federal opportunities should be considered advantageous.
He also reacted to reports of internal opposition within the APC following the governor’s defection, urging party members to set aside personal interests and embrace unity, reconciliation and political maturity. According to him, disagreements are natural during periods of political transition but must ultimately give way to collective responsibility.
The senator noted that with the governor, president, APC national chairman and senators now operating within the same political party, Plateau State stands to gain significantly if stakeholders work in harmony and focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people.
He expressed confidence that internal party disagreements would be resolved through dialogue and engagement, assuring that cooperation among political leaders would translate into improved governance, stronger federal support and accelerated development for Plateau State.
