There is growing confusion and uncertainty in Little Rayfield, Plateau State, as the delay continues in appointing the commandant for Operation Rainbow, the state’s own security outfit. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has yet to make a decision, which is believed to be linked to the controversy surrounding the choice of who will lead the security outfit.
Many Plateau residents have expressed their preference for Brig. Gen. John Sunday Sura (rtd.) to be appointed as the commandant of Operation Rainbow. Gen. Sura, a retired general, contested the gubernatorial seat but lost to Governor Mutfwang during the PDP Primaries. Plateau residents consider Gen. Sura as the popular and consensus choice for the position.
A source from the Government House, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Governor Mutfwang is reluctant to appoint Gen. Sura due to concerns about elevating someone who competed against him during the primaries and potentially increasing their popularity.
It should be noted that Governor Mutfwang had previously considered appointing a non-indigene to the position, but this decision was met with strong opposition from Plateau residents. The general sentiment is that a non-indigene may not have sufficient patriotism to serve the state and goes against the prevailing demand for the creation of a state police force, an idea that Plateau State has actively championed.
Supporters of Gen. Sura argue that without his efforts during the general elections, Governor Mutfwang would not be in his current position. They view the governor’s hesitation to appoint Gen. Sura as a betrayal of the trust and goodwill that facilitated his victory. They also highlight Gen. Sura’s security blueprint during his gubernatorial campaign, as well as his military expertise gained from successful peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Rwanda, as qualifications that make him deserving of the appointment.
The situation has now become a battle between merit and politics. Meanwhile, the state continues to suffer from incessant attacks by militias who exploit the political climate on the Plateau, resulting in loss of life, property destruction, and the displacement of people from their ancestral homes.
The onus now falls on individuals of good conscience to intervene and save the state from these recurring security challenges. Plateau residents are eager for a commandant to be appointed to Operation Rainbow, as they believe this will contribute to the actualization of peaceful coexistence in the region.
