In a historic event on October 10, 2024, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State officially swore in newly elected chairmen from 16 local government areas, following the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) sweeping victory in the local elections. The ceremony, held at Langfield in Jos, marked a new chapter in Plateau’s local governance.
The PDP dominated the October 9 elections, winning chairmanships in key local governments, including Jos North, Jos South, Bassa, Kanam, Barkin Ladi, Langtang South, and others, while results from Langtang North are still pending. The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) announced the results, and the newly elected officials received their certificates of return shortly afterward.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Mutfwang praised the peaceful and transparent election process, celebrating the PLASIEC’s dedication to fairness. Drawing from his own experience as a former local government chairman, he emphasized the importance of local governance and assured that the people’s voice had been respected. “This has been a collective success,” Mutfwang said, commending PLASIEC’s work and the role of Plateau residents in supporting the process.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening local government autonomy, ensuring funds flow directly to councils for improved service delivery. He also encouraged the newly sworn-in chairmen to embrace transparent governance, pledging to support a peer review mechanism to hold local leaders accountable. “Autonomy does not mean independence; it means providing the right working environment to bring governance closer to the people,” Mutfwang explained.
Addressing any opposition to the election results, Mutfwang urged dissatisfied parties to seek redress through legal means rather than resorting to unrest. He expressed gratitude to security personnel and all stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful election.
The ceremony concluded with optimism for a collaborative future, as Governor Mutfwang encouraged all to work together to drive Plateau State forward. The newly sworn-in chairmen now face the task of delivering on their promises, with high expectations for impactful governance in Plateau State.