Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, has described the recent wave of violence and killings in Plateau State as politically motivated.
Over 20 people were reportedly killed during the Palm Sunday attack in Gariya Waye, Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, sparking fears that the state could descend into a full-scale breakdown of law and order.
In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, Zazzaga, who is also Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, said the killings are aimed at undermining the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and discrediting Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
He further linked the insecurity to those opposed to Mutfwang’s defection to the APC.
Highlighting the North-Central region’s pledge of six million votes for Tinubu in 2027, Zazzaga alleged that the ongoing attacks in Plateau and Benue states are designed to reduce the president’s votes in the upcoming election.
“The ongoing attacks and killings in Plateau State are politically motivated. Those behind these killings are opposition politicians who want to derail Mr President’s re-election in the 2027 elections. These are also people who want to discredit Governor Caleb Mutfwang, knowing fully well that they can’t stop his re-election.
“They know that with Governor Mutfwang having defected to the APC, the chances are high that Mr. President will get 100 percent of the votes from Plateau State, so they have decided to sponsor violence to prevent that from happening.
“To create the impression that the administration is not performing, these individuals have decided to sponsor violent attacks and killings in defenceless communities. They know the natives are with Mr President and the governor, that is why they are engaging in mass killings, to reduce the native population and by so doing, reduce the votes that would go to Mr President in the coming election,” Zazzaga said.
The APC chieftain, who hails from Plateau State, linked the surge in attacks in Plateau to the ongoing cycle of violence in Benue, another North-Central state.
According to him, the native populations in Plateau and Benue are being targeted as part of a broader plan to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Zazzaga also emphasized that the North-Central region, being the first zone to have six APC governors after Mutfwang’s defection, is Tinubu’s key political stronghold, making it a prime target for the opposition.
“In the history of Nigeria, no President has cared about the needs of the North-Central more than Tinubu. He has demonstrated this by listening to our cries and agitations, through location of infrastructural projects and also with sensitive appointments.
“Because the opposition are afraid of the bloc votes that will come from the North-Central for President Bola Tinubu in 2027, they are now sponsoring violence and killings, not only to give the impression that Mr President is not working but also to reduce the voting population,” Zazzaga added.
He further warned clerics and other religious leaders against making statements that could promote violence and killings. Zazzaga called on security agencies to monitor religious leaders whose sermons incite insecurity.
“Some religious leaders are making unguarded utterances which contribute to the insecurity. I am advising them to stop before it is too late. Any right thinking religious leader should watch what he says to his congregation so as not to encourage violence.
Being a religious leader comes with responsibilities which includes promoting peaceful coexistence among the people. Any religious leader that abandons this responsibility should face the consequences of his indiscretion,” he stressed.
Zazzaga also urged security agencies to take proactive measures to address insecurity in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country, while considering the political undertones of the situation.
He praised President Tinubu for visiting Jos, Plateau State, following the Palm Sunday killings, noting that the gesture reflects empathy and concern for citizens.
“Suspending other crucial matters of state to visit Jos to show solidarity with the victims shows Mr President cares about Nigerians. He feels the pain of the people and I am glad that he has given the security agencies marching orders to apprehend the perpetrators. I implore all Nigerians to join hands with Mr President to address insecurity in all parts of the country. Security is everybody’s business, not only for Mr President and the security agencies,” Zazzaga concluded.