A Call for Unity: The Clinton Garuba Story

By: Labaran Ahmed 

In the midst of political turmoil, one voice stood out - that of Clinton Garuba, a prominent figure in the Plateau State PDP. Known for his passionate advocacy for unity and progress, Garuba had been calling for calm and cooperation within the party.

Recently, his efforts were put to the test when he penned a write-up highlighting the need for cohesion in the face of challenges. The response was swift, with Hon. Davou Mang, State Vice Chairman for the Northern Zone, firing back with a lengthy rejoinder.

But Garuba refused to back down. Instead, he chose to clarify the facts and reiterate his call for unity. In a thoughtful reflection, he shared his perspective on the matter, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability.

As the story unfolds, Garuba's commitment to unity and progress shines through. Despite differences, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of a brighter future for the PDP in Plateau State.

"Vindicated by Mang's Own Words: A Reflection on My Call for Unity in Plateau PDP

I just read a lengthy rejoinder from Hon. Davou Mang, the State Vice Chairman for the Northern Zone,titled "Clinton Garuba’s Mischievous Write-Up: Setting the Records Straight", in which he expressed his view regarding my earlier write-up.

In his response, he claimed that the two write-ups circulating on various social media platforms were attributed to me, but he was wrong ; they cannot be attributed to Clinton. Perhaps he was misinformed, and I forgive his ignorance .

First and foremost ,In the first write-up, titled “Governor Mutfwang's Inner Circle Attempt to Hijack the PDP from Former Governor Jonah Jang's Control," dated June 24, 2025, I would like to clarify the origin of that text. It was published by Nairaland, a well-known Nigerian online blog. [Attach link]

https://www.nairaland.com/8458496/governor-mutfwang-inner-cycle-attempt

After reading this independent report, I spoke to a journalist who sought my perspective, leading me to call for unity. In my response, I pointed out that Bagos's actions not only undermine our leaders but also threaten the cohesion of the entire Northern Zone.

Following my submission, Bagos's Support Network released a statement attacking the messenger rather than addressing the message itself. This prompted me to issue another statement titled “Putting It In Perspective,” where I detailed the attempts by Bagos to undermine our leaders. It is unfortunate that Mang’s name came up in this discussion. Mang is an elder brother whom I hold in high esteem, and as he  rightly stated , he served with dignity and still holds Baba in very high esteem. At best, one can safely say he was a victim of Bagos' manipulations. It is regrettable that we find ourselves in this situation. 

The most disappointing aspect of his write-up is that he resorted to an uncivilized narrative of "Go To Your State." I do not wish to engage in a back-and-forth on that point. However, I appreciate that he took the time to outline constitutional provisions and provided an elaborate explanation. When he addressed the situation regarding Jos South, he acknowledged that it had been “politicized.” To me, if it sounds like a duck and walks like a duck, then it is indeed a duck. His acknowledgment reinforces everything I tried to convey in my previous two write-ups: the case of Jos South was politicized. It is as simple as that, I wish he went further to explain the politics involved like he tried to explain the others, I honestly wish he mentioned those that politicized Jos South using his words. 

I do not intend to dispute other claims he made regarding ignorance or lack of it thereof. If he had been unbiased in his response, perhaps he would recognize that Governor Mutfwang has been very supportive of Jang, and they have cooperated well. This should not be a contentious issue. We hope that this cooperation continues. I am glad that we share the same goal of unifying the party, the zone, and the state.

In his conclusion, he stated, "Just as the party united and mobilized the citizenry to elect the governor, which led to his resounding victory and that of the House of Assembly and National Assembly members at the polls in 2023, the party is in solid support of the governor, particularly his massive and impressive developmental strides across the state and his inclusive governance. Indeed, the time is now, and the land is green." I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. We can build upon the fact that the governor is running an inclusive government that we are proud to support".

Clinton Odafe Garuba  

June 30, 2025