2023: Plateau PDP Governorship Candidate, Mutfwang Picks Female Running Mate
By Daniel Agada, Jos
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has picked Mrs Josephine Chundung Piyo as his running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Recall this is the second time history Plateau State PDP chapter is producing a female running mate since the inception of democracy in 1999.
Speaking during the official unveiling of the running mate at the PDP Secretariat in Jos on Tuesday, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang said, today is a day of history. According to him “I must begin to demonstrate my capacity for leadership by taking a very tough decision-the choice of a Deputy Governorship candidate for our great party.
“Fortunately for me I have an array of qualified men and women to choose from. Ironically it is a difficult one since it can only be one person! In making this decision, I have made far-reaching consultations with leaders of our Party, Stakeholders, and various Caucuses before choosing my Running Mate in order to enhance the joint ticket going into the general elections.
“Some of you will recall that in the course of my campaigns before the party primaries, I made a commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless. I make bold to say that a critical segment of our society that is often neglected in leadership considerations is the women folk and yet they form a formidable percentage of our population.
“For me giving them a voice is a compelling necessity. I therefore have the honour and privilege of introducing to our party members and Plateau people a respected Plateau woman, mother, grandmother, daughter of Barkin Ladi, wife of the people of Riyom.
“The work ahead is enormous and requires men and women of tested quality to carry out. God willing, you will be partners in the rebuilding process of our state in one position or another”, Mutfwang stated.
However, our correspondent observed that Mrs. Piyo who held from Barkin Ladi LGA and got married in Riyom LGA.She trained as a healthcare worker and served as public administrator before becoming a consummate politician.
She began her political journey as a grassroots and cosmopolitan politician, a loyal party woman, brings along with her a wealth of experience, having served Plateau dutifully and diligently as a Nurse, Teacher before venturing into politics when she got elected into the Plateau State House of Assembly in 1999.
Thereafter, she served as a Special Adviser to the Executive Governor, of Plateau State from 2008 to 2011. She later go on to get elected as the Chairperson of Riyom LGC from 2014 to 2015.
State chairman of PDP Hon. Chris Hassan said the choice of Mrs Josephine Piyo is a sign of double victory for the party come 2023 general elections.
On her part, Mrs. Josephine Piyo opines she would not take the privilege given to her for granted, promised to be loyal to the party and not to disappoint women folks.
