Candidates from all political parties running for governorship positions in Plateau State come 2023 have been urged to promise that whoever emerges winner in the election will foster an environment that allows for the State to attract investment from development partners.

This request was made as part of an agenda-setting programme organized by the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, PPPN, a coalition of non-governmental organizations working for the restoration of peace in the State.

The Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, PPPN, a confederation of non-governmental organisations working for the restoration of peace in the State, has organised this as a component of an agenda-setting programme.

Speaking at the occasion in Jos, the Chairman of the PPPN, Mr Pwakim Choji, argued in favour of the Open Government Partnership and urged the person who would succeed Governor Simon Lalong to look into it and actively participate in it, despite the fact that Plateau State had signed on.

He explained that Open Government Partnership is a framework that will enable a sitting Governor to walk out of office free without any court cases because it creates transparency and whoever is coming on board to leverage it.

Addressing the gubernatorial candidates of political parties as well as other participants, Choji noted, “Over the years, the people had less to say pre-election and post-elections. At this point, we would like to have an agenda setting where we listen to the politicians who want to govern the State in the next four years and we also tell them what our areas of interest are as well.”

He commended the establishment of the Plateau Peace Building Agency to encourage peaceful coexistence in local communities by the State government but added that the Agency needs to be funded and empowered to serve as a credible coordination platform where other local NGOs can collaborate to serve the purpose of ensuring lasting peace.

Some gubernatorial candidates present which included that of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Samuel Abashe, and others presented their intentions for the people and promised to work with credible stakeholders to ensure a peaceful State.