Tinubu pledges full reconstruction of attack-torn plateau communities

By Kingsley Chukwuka

President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of Plateau State that his administration will rebuild communities ravaged by attacks and ensure the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Saturday while speaking at the APC North-Central Presidential Campaign Rally at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, where he 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 crisis. 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.”

The President disclosed 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.

Tinubu reiterated his commitment to addressing the plight of displaced persons, saying the Federal Government would work with the Plateau State Government and community leaders to facilitate their resettlement.

“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.

The President commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, for his contributions to supporting vulnerable Nigerians and displaced persons.

READ ALSO; Tinubu’s Renewed Hope: Reforms, hardship and the unanswered question of a second term

“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.

“The future on this land is shared. Living together peacefully is a necessity we must nurture with patience, fairness and mutual respect.”

Meanwhile, Vice-President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu 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.”

“Most importantly, I respect him fundamentally for one thing. A lot of leaders, upon assuming the mantle of leadership, have two options: either to continue to kick the ball down the alley or blame their predecessors.”

“But President Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership and, according to him, he had to take over the assets and liabilities of his predecessor,” he said.

Shettima described Plateau as a gift to Nigeria, citing the contributions of prominent leaders from the state to national developmen

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor 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.

In his remarks, Governor Mutfwang 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.

He, however, appealed to Tinubu to support the state in facilitating the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities.

“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.

Mutfwang also appealed to the President to assist in completing the Zaria Road Stadium, describing it as a facility whose construction began about 40 years 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.