‘I didn’t sign 60-40 cabinet sharing deal with anyone’ – Gov Mutfwang
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has categorically denied claims that he agreed to a 60-40 cabinet-sharing arrangement prior to his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mutfwang emphasized that no such agreement was established between his administration and the APC leadership in the state. The issue arose following a recent cabinet reshuffle, which drew criticism from the APC’s “Legacy Group,” an organization aligned with former Governor Simon Lalong.
The Legacy Group expressed disapproval of the reshuffle, asserting that it contradicted a purported agreement made by Mutfwang before switching parties. They contended that members of the group were entitled to representation in the cabinet-sharing discussions based on this alleged pact.
In response to these allegations during the swearing-in ceremony for three new commissioners on Friday at the Government House in Jos, Mutfwang clarified that he did not forge any such understanding with the Legacy Group. He stated, “I never made any promise to share government positions since my journey to the APC. I made a commitment to share party positions. I never had an agreement to do a 60-40 percent cabinet.”
The governor further noted that following his transition to the APC, the Legacy Group had received significant appointments and party positions, surpassing those who defected with him from the PDP. He highlighted that 16 of the APC’s 24 candidates for the House of Assembly were members of the Legacy Group, compared to only eight who joined the party alongside him.
Mutfwang called for unity within the party, saying, “The time has come when we must kill the dichotomy between the governance group and the Legacy Group. We are one big family. Are we fair?”
He stressed that appointments are made based on merit and contributions rather than party membership, asserting the importance of inclusivity in governance.
