2023: Mutfwang, Nentawe suspend campaigns over accident involving supporters in Plateau

Plateau State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr Caleb Mutfwang, has suspended all campaign activities to mourn and pray for the fast recovery of his supporters who were involved in a truck accident at Pushit-Panyam road in Mangu Local Government Area of the state while returning from Campaigns.

Also the APC Governorship Candidate in the State Dr. Yilwatda Nentawe has suspended his campaigns to join the Governorship candidate to mourn the PDP Supporters.

Plateau State Route Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Peter Y Longsan in a press statement issued on Sunday confirmed that the number of people involved in the incident was 99, while people killed in the crash were 16 adult male, while 83 people sustained various degrees of injury.

“A fatal road traffic crash occurred on 14 January, 2023 along Pankshin – Jos Road Plateau State at about 5:00 pm. It was a lone crash involving a truck conveying people from a Plateau Central Zone political campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The injured victims were taken to hospitals in Panyam and Mangu town, both in Mangu LGA. FRSC Operatives of Pankshin Unit Command, passersby, volunteers and other spirited individuals evacuated the injured victims for medical attention, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited at Mangu General Hospital, Panyam General Hospital, and Nissi Private Hospital all in Mangu LGA.

“The crash unfortunate incident happened as a result of excessive speed and overloading, which led to loss of control and resulted to the crash.

“FRSC advises has been advising that people should use vehicles strictly for the purpose the manufacturer made for, motorists to maintain safe speed in order to avoid the risk of involving in road traffic crashes. They are further advised to ensure installation of speed limiting device on their vehicles and ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles.

Also In a Press statement issued Sunday in Jos by the Director of Media and Publicity, Atiku-Okowa/Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council Plateau State Hon Yiljap Abraham read;

“In a further demonstration of his grief and as a mark of honour to PDP members who were involved in a ghastly road accident on Saturday evening near the Panyam bridge, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP Barr Caleb Mutfwang, after due consultation, has suspended all campaign activities with immediate effect,” he said.

“The Candidate has also asked that intense prayers be offered for divine comfort for families and individuals who are bereaved and healing of the injured.”

He noted that their death will ever remain fresh in the memories of the party’s members and admirers as they are lifted up as heroes of democracy.

Mutfwang called on party supporters to remain calm and pray fervently for God’s intervention in the healing of the injured and comfort of the grieving families and the entire Plateau people.

Meanwhile All Progressives Congress governorship Candidate in the State Dr. Yilwatda Nentawe also has suspended his campaign tour for three days in the state in honour of supporters of the People’s Democratic Party who died in an auto-accident.

A statement by the spokesman for Generation Next Campaign Council said Nentawe on receipt of the news of the accident immediately cut short his citizen engagement tour of the southern part of the state.

“This morning I suspended my 10 days of citizen engagement in the southern senatorial zone to mourn the souls of the PDP members that were involved in a fatal accident along the Pankshin – Mangu road.

“Consequent to this, I have directed the Generation Next campaign team to suspend all campaigns for the next 3 days to mourn these precious Plateau souls.

“The accident was saddening, disturbing and painful particularly as it involved the loss of lifes mostly youths.

“My condolences to the PDP, it’s governorship candidate Caleb Mutfwang and the families of the victims for the irraparable loss.

“I pray for eternal rest of the souls of the victims and the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries as a result of the accident.

However Plateau State Governor Barr. Simon Lalong has expressed shock and sadness over the accident involving some supporters of the PDP in Plateau State in which some lives were lost and injuries recorded.

Lalong in a Press Statement signed by his Director of Press Affairs Dr. Makut Macham while commiserating with the families of the victims and those who sustained injuries described a tragic event as a huge loss to the State.

He also sympathised with the PDP family in the State as well as its Gubernatorial candidate Barr. Caleb Mutfwang over the sad incident, praying that God will grant eternal rest to those who lost their lives and quick recovery to those who sustained injuries.

Lalong appealed for caution among motorists and supporters of political parties and politicians during the electioneering period where vehicular movement is heightened across the State and the country at large.

He urged them to put safety first and observe road safety regulations to minimise cases such as this.

It would be recalled that the acciden occurred on Saturday evening in Jwak village Panyam, Mangu Local Government while the supporters were said to be returning from a Zonal campaign rally of the party in Pankshin.