Accuses him of abandoning his people
By Israel Adamu, Jos
A Plateau-based group under the banner of the “Vanguard for the voice of reasoning has faulted the former Plateau State Governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Chief Yohanna Margif, over what it described as a baseless and false accusation against Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
Margif had alleged that the Governor remained silent over recent attacks in Mushere communities of Bokkos Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, James Buba, the group accused Chief Margif of neglecting his people for over a year, failing to visit or commiserate with them following repeated bloody assaults by armed Fulani militia.
It urged him to desist from targeting Governor Mutfwang, who, according to the group, has consistently demonstrated solidarity and support for all Plateau people, including Margif’s own community.
The statement noted that Governor Mutfwang personally visited Mushere and other affected communities on June 22, 2025, to console victims, restore hope, and provide relief materials to cushion the impact of the violence.
It added that the Governor had also ordered the completion of a strategic bridge linking Mushere to neighbouring communities to facilitate movement for residents and security personnel.
Buba condemned Margif’s comments, describing them as “unguided” and “self-serving,” and accused him of “living comfortably in Abuja” while ignoring the pain and suffering of his people. He further recalled that, only recently, the Governor dispatched a high-powered delegation led by the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, to Mushere to ensure the bridge project was completed without delay.
“It is shocking to hear Mr. Yohanna Margif, who has abandoned his people for several years, accuse Governor Mutfwang of being silent over the attacks. If there is any Governor Plateau State has produced who has stood firmly with his people, it is Governor Mutfwang. Idle minds and shortsighted individuals like Margif should not be allowed to mislead the public with unfounded claims,” Buba stated.
While expressing deep sympathy for the people of Mushere over the sustained violence by killer herdsmen, the group called on the community to remain resilient in defending themselves. It also challenged security agencies to rise to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property or give way for the people to defend their land.
