Plateau senator supports Tinubu for another term, praises bold reforms

Senator Diket Plang, who represents Plateau Central, has said that President Bola Tinubu deserves another term in office. He praised the President’s bold reforms, focus on infrastructure, and inclusive leadership.

Plang also called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace humility and reconciliation after the party's primaries. He stressed that unity is important as they prepare for the 2027 general elections.

The senator made these comments on Sunday while speaking to journalists in Jos. He discussed various topics, including the APC primaries, Tinubu’s performance, issues of insecurity, and the plan to establish a Federal University of Mining and Geosciences in Jos. He also talked about the recent change of a polytechnic in Nasarawa State into a mining university.

On the APC primaries, Plang said the party should work on healing its internal divisions and make efforts to welcome aggrieved members back into the fold.

"APC primaries have come and gone. I just feel that what is left for the party is to move in humility, to be more humble than to be right, to be more accommodative and apologetic where shortcomings are noticed, because I’m a party man," he stated.

Reflecting on his political journey, the senator mentioned that he understands the nature of party contests. He has held several positions, including councillor, local government chairman, commissioner, and member of the State House of Assembly. He has also served at the national level and is currently a senator.

"I’ve been a councillor. I’ve been a local government chairman. I’ve been a commissioner. I’ve been to the State House of Assembly. I’ve been appointed by a president at the national level, and today I’m a senator. From 1996, I have been in the corridor of political office, which now means that I have undergone a lot of primary elections," he explained.

He urged dissatisfied members of the party to move on from the primaries for the good of the APC.

"I want to assure you that I’m not too big to understand every interest, so long as the interest will benefit my people. So, for the APC party, I think maybe most of us will just need some sort of apology… But for me, I remain an APC member. I remain loyal to APC. I remain happy in APC," he added.

The senator also endorsed Tinubu for another term, saying the government has shown courage through important economic and infrastructure reforms.

"As far as I am concerned, with the level of my exposure, particularly in this administration at the national level, I see hope. I see inclusivity. I see dreams. I see fulfilment in dreams. I see courage. I see the future. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a mission-ful leader, focused, determined, courageous, and inclusive," he said.

He praised the removal of the fuel subsidy and the ongoing road projects across the country.

"I tell you, the legacy projects that we went through to see, and also the courage that is in our president, even to remove oil subsidy, that ends up making it possible for governments at various levels to function. It’s a brave step that only a brave leader can take," Plang said.

He pointed out projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi road as infrastructure that will benefit future generations.

"So for me, the president is doing a lot of savings for future leaders. By the time you are a leader, and you have the roads in good shape… it gives you room to look at other projects that will improve the lives of the people," he said.

Plang praised Tinubu for keeping Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

"I was panicking whether Mr President will carry his vice along with him, and I tell you, despite all attempts made elsewhere, I want to thank God Almighty that Mr President remains resolute and returned his vice, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, as his vice. I think that is stability at the highest level," he said.

He added, "We are yet to reach a stage where we’ll be looking at results, not religion… I feel that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term, and let not our personal disappointments affect that."

On the proposed Federal University of Mining and Geosciences in Jos, Plang expressed his disappointment that his bill has not yet received presidential assent after going through the legislative process.

"I could have exchanged this project for my second term as a senator. If I had had this university, and I’m not going back to the Senate, I would feel achieved," he said.

He noted that the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences in Jos has a long history and needs to be upgraded to a full university.

"The Institute of Mining and Geoscience in Jos is the highest centre of research for anything mining in the entire country… The school of mines established by the colonial masters before independence in Ghana has since been converted to Ghana Federal University of Mines and Mining Technology, while that of Jos was only upgraded to an institute," he said.

The senator mentioned that his bill has passed all stages in both chambers of the National Assembly and asked Plateau stakeholders to support its passage into law.

"My prayer is that all Plateau people should not look at that bill as Senator Diket Plang’s bill, but Plateau’s bill… I still feel that the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences… should be promoted to a Federal University of Mines and Geosciences," he said.

On security, Plang praised the military and security agencies for rescuing kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State. He called for more funding to improve security operations.

"I want to congratulate our dogged military and security personnel… We must thank them, and I think we need to encourage them more by way of ensuring that appropriations and funding are met for them," he said.

He also supported the idea of establishing state police, stating it would boost intelligence gathering and community policing.

"I also see more achievements for security, especially with the establishment of state police… By the time state police are established, it means more recruitment will be done. It also means you have more locals who understand the culture, terrain and languages of the people, making intelligence gathering much higher," he added.