The outgoing Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, and governor‑elect Caleb Mutfwang are at odds over the handover of power. In a circular issued by Permanent Secretary of General Services Peter Wuyep, Lalong announced the formation of a transition committee intended to usher in the new administration, which is led by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. The circular, dated 31 March and seen by our correspondent in Jos on Sunday, states that the committee’s inauguration will take place at Government House in Jos on Monday, 3 April, at 11 a.m., with members expected to be seated by 10:30 a.m. It reads in part: “The Executive Governor of Plateau State has approved the constitution of a central planning committee, handover and swearing‑in to liaise and ensure a smooth transition from a rescue administration to the incoming government.”
Governor‑elect Mutfwang, speaking through the director of his Media and Publicity Campaign Council, Yiljap Abraham, condemned the move as “strange” and undertaken in bad faith, noting that the planned committee appears to exclude members of the incoming administration. Abraham said that, up to the previous night, they had received no communication from Lalong’s government about any transition committee. “The normal practice is that they will get in touch with us and let us know that such a thing is about to happen, and the two parties will have one list containing members from both sides who will work together to usher in the new administration,” he explained.
Despite the exclusion, Mutfwang affirmed that he will be inaugurated on 29 May, having been duly elected by the people of Plateau State. “Caleb Mutfwang is the Governor‑elect of Plateau State, whether they (Lalong’s administration) like it or not, and he will be inaugurated as the Governor of Plateau State on 29 May,” Abraham declared.
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