Mrs. Ngo Josephine Piyo, the running mate to PDP governorship candidate in Plateau State.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The Plateau State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has named Mrs. Ngo Josephine Piyo as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.
Ngo Piyo, a trained healthcare worker public administrator and grassroots politician is a former Chairperson of Riyom local government area of the State.
Piyo was unveiled at a brief ceremony held at the State PDP office in Jos.
Giving his speech at the event, Barr. Mutfwang said the choice of Piyo is about giving a voice to the voiceless.
His words, “… It is pertinent to mention that since my election, I have taken the responsibility of providing leadership seriously. I have begun by talking with and where possible visiting my fellow contestants. I am very grateful for their sportsmanship and solidarity thus far. The discharge Permit to place on record the unflinching support I have enjoyed from the leadership of our Party across the state, elders, stakeholders, and supporters since I emerged as our Gubernatorial Candidate.
“Today is a day of history. I must begin to demonstrate my capacity for leadership by taking a very tough decision – the choice of a Deputy Governorship candidate for our great party. Fortunately for me, I have an array of qualified men and women to choose from. Ironically it is a difficult one since it can only be one person! In making this decision, I have made far-reaching consultations with leaders of our Party, stakeholders, and various caucuses before choosing my running mate to enhance the joint ticket going into the general elections.
From left: Plateau PDP Chairman, Chris Hassan, gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and his running mate, Ngo Josephine Piyo.
“Some of you will recall that in the course of my campaigns before the party primaries, I committed to giving a voice to the voiceless. I make bold to say that a critical segment of our society that is often neglected in leadership considerations is the women folk and yet they form a formidable percentage of our population. For me giving them a voice is a compelling necessity. I, therefore, have the honour and privilege of introducing to our party members and Plateau people a respected Plateau woman, mother, grandmother, daughter of Barkin Ladi, and wife of the people of Riyom.
“She trained as a healthcare worker and served as a public administrator before becoming a consummate politician. Ladies and gentlemen behold the Honourable Mrs. Josephine Chundung Piyo, as my running mate.”
Mutfwang further described Mrs. Piyo as “a grassroots and cosmopolitan politician, a loyal party woman, brings along with her a wealth of experience, having served our great State dutifully and diligently as a Nurse, Teacher before venturing into politics when she got elected into the Plateau State House of Assembly in 1999. She thereafter served as a Special Adviser to the Executive Governor, of Plateau State from 2008 to 2011. She would later go on to get elected as the Chairperson of Riyom LGC from 2014 to 2015.”
He appealed to “every true party man and woman of good conscience to join hands with us in this great task of winning the 2023 elections to enable our party the PDP bring succour to the good people of Plateau State,” stressing “Our doors remain open for advice and consultations as we stay united.”
Mrs. Piyo who accepted the position expressed her gratitude, assured of working to give the Party victory even as she promised women and youths that she would do her best to give them a voice.
