By SN24.com 
By Peter Akpah.
Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial Zone in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Diket Plang, has called on political actors in Plateau State to shun zigzag politics and unite for the development and stability of the state as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalists at his residence in Jos, Senator Plang described Plateau as the umbilical cord of Nigeria and a miniature Nigeria whose political decisions are of serious interest to the entire nation, both geopolitically, culturally and religiously.
“As a stakeholder in the All Progressives Congress, APC, and as a Senator representing Plateau Central which is the umbilical cord of the entire state, from September to January, Nigerians have an opportunity to make a statement to Africa and the world. The position of Nigeria is an envied position globally. Whatever decisions Nigerians will make politically between now and early next year is a subject of interest to the entire world,”_ Plang said.
He said Plateau is privileged at this critical moment to have Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as APC National Chairman and Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang Esq as Governor, both from the same party and both from Plateau Central, describing it as an opportunity for the state to get the best out of the current political dispensation.
Plang commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for infrastructural interventions in the state, particularly the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri road, which he said work has commenced at three different points, and for accepting Governor Mutfwang’s request for the inclusion of Maraban Jama’a – Barkin Ladi – Mangu and Panyam – Shandam road into the federal road network.
“This infrastructural appropriation given to us by Mr. President and the inclusiveness of allowing our people to be part of decision making at the national level are enough for all Plateau people who mean well for the state to come together to show gratitude to Mr. President,” he said.
The Senator took a swipe at what he described as “zigzag politicians” those who move from PDP to APC, from APC back to PDP, and from PDP back to APC.
“These are zigzag politicians. Politicians who do not have political ideology, politicians who are more individualistic in movement, not people-oriented. Because the people of Plateau want development, inclusiveness and stability. If you have people moving zigzag, it means ideology is empty,” he said.
“Anybody who at this moment says, I will do this for Mr. President, I will not do for the Governor, I believe that person is more of self, not Plateau project.”
Responding to questions on aggrieved APC members after the party primaries and his earlier warning that unresolved grievances could lead to defections, Plang admitted that many aspirants were truly injured.
“We are the ones that repealed and re-enacted the Electoral Law. For all parties, there are only two ways candidature will be selected or elected: by direct primaries or by consensus. The content of consensus in the Electoral Law is that all aspirants will put it in writing that they have agreed to step down. What our party did was excessive consensus. The process was not properly done,” he said.
He said reconciliation efforts are ongoing and appealed to candidates who benefited from the flawed process to humble themselves and seek forgiveness.
“I am a sitting Senator whose position was taken without anyone talking to me. I have forgiven. I appeal to candidates to make more efforts. Whatever has happened has happened to their advantage. They have more work to do, even if it is to roll on the ground for those who feel highly injured. The beneficiary does not have an option than to be humble, available and accessible seeking for forgiveness.”
“A general election is a personal opinion on the day of election. On that day, whether you are a stakeholder or candidate, you will only be confined to your own polling unit. If people are unhappy, it will affect you.”
On the lingering division between the Legacy Group and the Governor’s Group in the Plateau APC, Plang said he considers himself as the lowest common multiple that can bring improper fractions together, noting that Governor Mutfwang and Prof. Nentawe share common denominators — from elite Gindiri schools, to the church, to Plateau Central.
“I am happy that the two have every reason to dine together. Three of us were together in Mr. Governor’s office and we all spoke and I vowed that we must be one. I am freer to do this job now because I don’t have a ticket. I am like a bride that people will be looking for.”
He blamed the persistence of the crisis on followers who made over-ambitious statements on social media.
“When you talk too much and the equation changes, you have difficulty seeing another person eye to eye. If you had earlier promised that under your dead body somebody will not succeed and the person succeeds, you will dodge. I ask politicians to reduce defaming statements. No matter our anger, we are brothers.
“I don’t even know about Rainbow coalition. Anybody who wants to think that somebody from another state will make a Governor for us in Plateau has failed from the starting point. If it is in the military, Plateau is equipped with retired officers. If it is in academics, Plateau is a chant of professors. If it is politics, God has placed us. It will be unfair to think somebody somewhere can decide who will be Governor for us.”
He urged stakeholders, elders and leaders to rally around and ensure that the will of the people of Plateau manifests, while holding elected leaders accountable.
“Plateau is greater than individual interest. Let us not disintegrate this country because of sectional interests. Nigeria is a great country with good weather, agriculture, minerals, gas, petroleum and intellectual capacity. Let our campaigns be patriotic. The unity of this country supersedes any personal interest,” he concluded.