The son of the Late Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu, Barrister Umar Mantu has decamped from the Peoples Democratic to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The official declaration which took place in his Chanso Ward of Mangu Local Government Area was performed amidst pomp, pageantry and funfair.
Barrister Umar Mantu who twice in 2019 and 2022 contested the PDP primaries for Federal House of Representatives with the present member representing Mangu/Bokkos, Hon. Bulus Maren and lost with one vote on both occasions, decamped to the APC with over 20,000 PDP members from Mangu and Bokkos LGAs.
In his declaration speech at the Chanso Ward Party office, the young and charismatic Umar Mantu who is in his 30s, said his defection to the APC was necessitated by the need to be in the right place to contribute his qouta to the growth of our democracy.
He said his coming into the APC would add value to the party as he would actively play his role to ensure victory for the party from top to bottom in the 2023 general elections.
While receiving him, the APC Chairman in Chanso ward Mal. Sadak Zakari
heartily welcome him into its fold.
He expressed great delight over the development as it would greatly enhance the fortunes of the APC in Chaso Ward, Pyem Chiefdom, Mangu Local Government Area and Plateau State at large, given the statue of Barrister Mantu.
Also speaking at the memorable event, the Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Elisha Bitrus Shehu who also hails from Chaso ward commended Barrister Mantu for taking the wise decision of dumping the PDP for the APC.
He said he knows Umar Mantu who, like his Late father, is a deft and calculative politician who will bring his wealth of experience as a team player to bear in APC.
He said his joining the APC is long overdue as he is now where he rightly belongs.
He said given his antecedents in PDP, his joining the APC is a sure victory for the APC at all levels as he would bring his political wizardry, experience and passion into the APC.
In a voice vote, all the ward exco of chanso unanimously voted to accept him as their member where he was issued a membership card of the APC.
At an elaborate reception at the Chanso primary school, speakers took turns to eulogies Barrister Umar whose coming into the APC they all agreed is a welcome development.
They included the Deputy Governor of Plateau state, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden who was represented by the Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Elisha Bitrus Shehu who said Umar’s entrance to the APC would greatly add value to the party, wife of the APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr Mrs Martina Yilwatda who eulogised Barr. Umar Mantu as a very big catch for the APC, Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sale Shehu Yipmong who is also the Deputy Director General (Operations) of the APC gubernatorial campaign council.
Others at the event were the Chief Whip of the PLHA, Hon. Abdul Yanga ( A One), Executive Chairman of Mangu LGA, Hon Minster Daniel Daput, Hon. Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hon. Daniel Dalyop( Daff D), Hon. Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Rebecca Sambo, APC Senatorial Candidate for Plateau Central Senatorial District, Hon. Diket Plang and APC Chairman Mangu LGA, Hon. Ladan Garkuwa.
Other prominent guests who came with the celebrant included a strong APC member from Abia state, Chief Rex Okuta and Mal. Lamir Umar Ibrahim, Special Assistant on Executive Relations to the Honourable Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives who spoke glowing of Barrister (Dr ) Umar Ibrahim Mantu.
