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President Bola Tinubu has pledged to rebuild all communities ravaged by the age-long sectarian strife on the Plateau.
He said that as a further step to prevent future attacks and secure communities, the 1,000 forest guards recruited by his administration are right now undergoing training, while cameras had been procured to provide all round surveillance.
Tinubu, speaking at the North Central mega rally of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, said that the rebuilding of the ravaged communities would restore confidence and ensure the return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
The president reiterated his commitment to addressing the plight of IDPs, saying the Federal Government would work with the Plateau State Government and community leaders to facilitate their resettlement.
Tinubu also pledged to strengthen security operations and restore lasting peace to the state.
He said, “I got the report from the governor, and I saw hope in the faces of our people. It is now that we can rebuild, and I assure those displaced that we will rebuild your communities and bring you back to your communities.”
“I have directed all the security agencies to take decisive action. What we should be getting is stability and prosperity, not crises. Our government was not elected to inflict wounds on one another or to bury people. We have to lift people up from penury to prosperity.”
Tinubu said that his administration was reinforcing security deployment and strengthening coordination among security agencies to improve rapid response to security threats.
“We are reinforcing security deployment and strengthening coordination and rapid response. One thousand forest guards are undergoing training right now.”
“You will feel them, you will see them, and you will feel secure in your villages and communities. The surveillance cameras have already been procured, as I promised. They will further strengthen early detection and early warning security operations,” he said.
“To our displaced families, I say once again that government is working to end your suffering and bring you back to rebuild your communities.”
“We will work with the governor, traditional rulers and other leaders to rebuild those communities and take you back to settle in the comfort of where you belong,” he said.
Tinubu commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, for his contributions to supporting vulnerable Nigerians and displaced persons.
“I appreciate the contribution of your son, Dr Bernard Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to this important responsibility. Doro is doing a very good job identifying the vulnerable and the neediest and stretching the hand of humanity to them,” he said.
Tinubu also called on residents to embrace peaceful coexistence, saying unity, fairness and mutual respect were necessary for the future of Plateau State.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima,who spoke at the occasion , poured glowing tributes the president for taking what he described as courageous economic decisions that saved Nigeria from economic collapse.
Shettima said, “We were on the verge of collapse. We were on the road to Caracas, but our President had the courage and conviction to take far-reaching decisions that have saved the economy from collapse.”
“He is indeed a transformational leader, and I believe posterity will be kind to him. Now our economy is on a sound footing.”
” Our foreign reserves are hovering in the neighbourhood of $60 billion.”
He urged the people to support Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the state would deliver massive votes for the APC.
“I urge you, I beseech you, I implore you, on January 16 next year, to rally around our great leader. I want you to vote for our President. I want you to vote for our governor,” Shettima said.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, declared that Plateau leaders were solidly behind Tinubu, describing him as a promise keeper who had fulfilled key commitments to the state.
Yilwatda said the President had delivered on promises relating to road infrastructure, military formations, security command centres and other interventions.
“Your Excellency, we are with you 100 per cent. Your Excellency, you are a promise keeper. All the promises you made for Plateau State, you kept them,” he said.
He recalled that Tinubu had promised roads and delivered them, while also approving two battalions and one brigade for the state, alongside security command centres in parts of Plateau.
“Everything you promised, including things that you promised us, you have kept your promise to our people. And come January 16, 2027, the ballot box will speak clearly of what Plateau will do for Mr President,” Yilwatda added.
The APC chairman also declared support for Mutfwang’s re-election, describing the governor as his senior in secondary school, friend and brother.
“We will stand with him and support him on the Plateau. We will deliver him in February to repeat again for a second term as the governor of Plateau State,” he said.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in his speech said Tinubu met Nigeria in an intensive care unit when he assumed office but had gradually moved the country towards recovery through his administration’s policies.
Mutfwang, who declared Plateau’s support for the President’s re-election, commended the Federal Government’s interventions in road infrastructure, education and healthcare.
He 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.”
“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.”
The governor disclosed that students in tertiary institutions in Plateau had benefited from over N11 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, programme.
“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.
He further disclosed that his administration had established an employment hub expected to provide jobs for 2,000 young people, alongside a technology hub designed to support security operations.
“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 additional buses had been procured to ease transportation challenges facing residents of the state..
The APC national chairman had earlier presented the party’s flag to all candidates contesinng for governorship in all the North Central states.
Indeed the entire Jos and Bukuru metropolis was locked down as the president rode to Zaria Road stadium venue of the rally.
