By Deborah Coker
The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy (PVD), a sociopolitical group, has cautioned the residents and voters in the state against importing religion into the recent defection of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang.
The group insisted that neither the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could legitimately claim to represent any particular faith.
This is contained in a statement on Monday by its Spokesman, Mr Christopher Ishaku, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Monday in Abuja.
Ishaku dismissed viral speculations that Mutfwang, widely admired for his open display of Christian values, had in any way compromised or deviated from his faith simply because of his change in party affiliation.
He emphasised that no major political party in Nigeria could be branded exclusively as Christian or Islamic.
“Neither the APC nor the PDP can lay claim to being a faith-based party.
“We, therefore, urge our people not to mix politics with religion. Both parties are secular platforms that accommodate Nigerians of all faiths,” he said.
The PVD spokesman, who also addressed concerns raised in some quarters about the Governor’s spiritual standing, explained that he had personally consulted with several respected Christian leaders across the state.
“I have had the privilege of distilling the opinions of Christian leaders, and I can firmly affirm that Gov. Mutfwang did not derail from his Christian faith by changing parties,” he said.
According to him, the governor sought and received wise counsel from his spiritual fathers before taking the decision, ensuring that his actions remained consistent with godly guidance.
He said, “He is on track, and we believe that under God, he remains faithful to the faith of his God.”
Ishaku called on the residents of the state to focus on governance, performance, and shared development goals rather than allowing religious sentiments to divide them over a purely political move.
“Politics should remain politics, and religion should remain religion”, he stressed, urging unity and discernment as the state navigates its political future.
He further expressed confidence in the governor’s continued leadership, saying that his defection was a strategic decision taken in the best interest of the state and its people.
“And this is without any compromise to his personal convictions or spiritual integrity,” he added.
NAN