Loyalists and supporters of a former governorship aspirant in Plateau State, Brigadier General John Sura (Rtd), have publicly dissociated themselves from him following his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The erstwhile loyalists of General Sura who came together under the umbrella of the Liberation Movement, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its coordinator, Nathaniel Dauda Kyaks, said they took the decision to disown their former principal following his defection from the PDP, insisting his defection was for his personal ambition rather than the collective progress of his loyalists who had stood by him through the years
In the statement made available to DAILY POST, Kyaks described Sura’s exit from the PDP as not only shocking but an act of betrayal against Gov. Caleb Mutfwang and the PDP, and was carried out without consultation, discussion, or courtesy to those who once stood by him.
“We were completely unaware of his decision to change allegiance. We only woke up to see his resignation letter posted on Facebook,” Kyaks said in the statement.
“We, the former supporters of the Liberation Movement, remain resolute and absolutely committed to our amiable political party, the PDP, and to the people-focused leadership of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.”
He noted that Sura’s action was against every norm of brotherhood, as he is from the same local government as Mutfwang, who graciously made him the Director General of his campaign team during the 2023 gubernatorial election.
The Liberation Movement recalled that after Gen. Sura contested and lost the PDP governorship primary election in 2022 to Mutfwang, the then PDP candidate extended a hand of friendship and reconciliation to him after taking office.
“Upon assumption of office, Gov. Mutfwang extended a hand of friendship and offered Sura a strategic role as Secretary of the State Committee on Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), a gesture meant to foster unity.
“The governor, in his wisdom, even requested Brig Gen Sura to forward names of some of his loyalists for inclusion in government. However, he never submitted any names until his resignation. That shows clearly that his decision was personal, not collective.”
The former supporters also accused Gen. Sura of abandoning them immediately after the PDP primaries and ceased communication for nearly two years before reappearing to announce his defection.
“We respect Brig. Gen. Sura’s right to his decision, but his journey to the APC is his alone. We, his former supporters, remain firmly with Governor Mutfwang and the PDP,” the statement concluded.
