From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
As part of activities marking Democracy Day 2026, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has approved the grant of Absolute Pardon to four citizens of the state — Nanchang Ramyil, Sale Ayuba, Abdullahi Haruna A. Yusuf, and John Monday.
The pardon followed recommendations by the Plateau State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy through the Ministry of Justice and due consideration by the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Governor Mutfwang announced the decision on Friday during the 2026 Conversation Town Hall Meeting held at Crispan Hotel, Jos.
He said the gesture reflects his administration’s commitment to balancing justice with mercy, rehabilitation, and human dignity while providing opportunities for redemption and reintegration.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to become responsible and productive citizens and called on residents to continue supporting efforts aimed at promoting peace, unity, justice, and social cohesion.
Speaking on the significance of Democracy Day, Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous, and economically vibrant Plateau State through responsible leadership, transparency, accountability, and people-centred governance.
He described democracy as the foundation of freedom, accountability, citizen participation, and good governance, noting that the achievements recorded by his administration over the past three years were made possible by the mandate freely given by the people of Plateau State.
Reflecting on his journey in public service, the governor said he remains a beneficiary of democracy, stressing that the democratic process provides opportunities for individuals to serve irrespective of background or status.
According to him, the administration has remained steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, compassion, integrity, and prudent resource management, laying a solid foundation for sustainable development.
On security, Governor Mutfwang identified insecurity as the foremost challenge inherited by his administration and outlined measures taken to restore peace across vulnerable communities.
These include the revitalisation of Operation Rainbow, the training and deployment of over 2,000 community-based personnel to support intelligence gathering, strengthened collaboration with security agencies, and the establishment of emergency response channels.
“Two days after assumption of office, we convened a State Security Council meeting and followed it up with personal visits to displaced persons’ camps and affected communities.
“We immediately began engagements with security agencies and security chiefs in Abuja because we realised that Plateau’s security situation was not fully appreciated at the national level,” he said.
The governor reiterated that his administration remains committed to confronting insecurity decisively, insisting that negotiating with criminal elements is not an option.
On civil service reforms and workers’ welfare, Mutfwang disclosed that his administration inherited significant salary arrears and a weakened civil service structure.
Through prudent financial management, he said the government cleared outstanding salary obligations, ensured regular salary payments, and paid over N20 billion in pensions and gratuities.
He further highlighted merit-based appointments, improved staff welfare, and extensive capacity-building programmes designed to enhance efficiency and professionalism within the public service.
The governor also revealed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased from less than N1 billion monthly in 2023 to between N3 billion and N3.5 billion monthly.
He identified mining as a strategic pillar for economic growth, announcing the revitalisation of the Plateau Mineral Development Company and efforts to establish value-addition industries, including a modern tin-processing facility.
Reaffirming Plateau’s status as the Home of Peace and Tourism, Mutfwang said the government is investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, upgrading the Jos Wildlife Park, and implementing a comprehensive Tourism Master Plan to attract local and international investors.
In agriculture, he said the administration is transitioning from subsistence farming to mechanised and commercial agriculture through investments in improved seeds, fertiliser distribution, irrigation projects, and innovative farming technologies.
“For over sixty years, Plateau has fed Nigeria, West Africa, Chad and Niger with potatoes. We have therefore decided to brand it properly. Henceforth, we call it Mato Potato because it belongs to us,” he stated.
The governor disclosed that about 200 locally manufactured hand tillers developed by a Plateau innovator are currently undergoing pilot testing, with plans to scale production to 2,000 units if successful.
He also announced the procurement of approximately 500 truckloads of fertiliser for farmers ahead of the farming season, alongside continued investments in irrigation and water infrastructure.
Mutfwang said the administration is strengthening the livestock value chain through investments in dairy production, ranching infrastructure, modern abattoirs, and forage development programmes.
In healthcare, he noted significant improvements in medical infrastructure and services, particularly at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, which is being positioned for eventual transformation into a teaching hospital.
In education, the governor highlighted reductions in tuition fees at state-owned tertiary institutions, increased scholarship support, and investments in institutional development and human capital advancement.
He also pointed to ongoing road projects across the state, improvements in public transportation through the Metro Bus Scheme, and investments in urban renewal and water infrastructure as evidence of his administration’s commitment to improving citizens’ quality of life.
According to him, youth empowerment remains central to government policy through investments in sports, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and educational opportunities.
Governor Mutfwang thanked the people of Plateau State for their trust, prayers, constructive engagement, and unwavering support, assuring them that his administration remains committed to delivering sustainable development and improving the well-being of all citizens.
He further urged Nigerians to remain committed to democratic ideals and work collectively towards building a more secure, prosperous, and united nation.
The event featured panel discussions on the gains of democracy and was attended by government officials, stakeholders from various sectors of the economy, youths, and women groups.