From Gyang Bere, Jos
Residents of Plateau State were thrown into mourning on January 10, 2023, following a fatal motor accident that claimed the lives of 13 supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). About 99 PDP supporters were involved in the auto crash, which occurred along Pushit-Panyam Road in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, as they were returning from the party’s zonal rally held at Pankshin LGA of the state.
Before the sad incident, the victims were playing music, dancing, chanting and praising their favourite politicians. Thirteen of the energetic supporters died while 64 others sustained various injuries when the truck they were travelling in crashed about 5:30pm that fateful day. 
The incident threw the party into mourning, leaving the deceased’s families devastated. They cried and wailed as they tried to identify the bodies of their loved ones. All the victims were identified to have come from Ampang West, in Mangu LGA, the hometown of the party’s governorship candidate, Caleb Mutfwang.
Daily Sun’s investigation revealed that most of the victims attended the rally as a mark of honour and to show their personal support for the governorship candidate, whom they wished could succeed incumbent Governor Simon Lalong. The victims, who were mostly youths, as identified by their relations, included Rinfwang Habila, 27, married with a child; Alheri Bitrus, 22; Panan Tumd Luka, 22; Musa Ibrahim, 26; Katbam Gershon, 18; Panmun Nelson, 30; and Benshak Danladi, 22. Others were David Dangari, 38; Obed Harun Shikse, 22; Elkana Bameye, 22; Bamshak Danladi, 30; and 22-year-old Nanchin Danladi, who was married and had a baby.
Mutfwang expressed shock and sadness when he got the news. He ordered the suspension of all campaign activities to honour the dead, even as he provided assistance to those injured to enable them get proper medical attention.
In the same vein, a chieftain of the party was shattered when he got the news. He flew into the state a day after the incident to visit the 64 survivors in different hospitals in the state where they were receiving treatment. First, he visited the former governor of Plateau State and leader of the PDP, Sen. Jonah David Jang, at his residence to commiserate with him and the entire leadership of the PDP in the state over the loss. He described the death of the party’s supporters as painful and said their sacrifices would not be in vain.
“For us, it is very painful for the lives of these young ones to be cut short in their prime. We are with you in prayers in this sad moment, and we want to assure you that we will stand by you to make sure that those in the hospital receive the best medical attention,” he said.
He announced a cash donation of N30 million to assist the accident victims in various hospitals in the state, even as he prayed for the repose of the souls of party supporters who lost their lives. He also prayed for quick recovery of those in hospital.
Another chieftain of the party equally condoled with the PDP in the state and the people of Plateau over the sad incident and prayed that God would give them the strength to bear the irreparable loss. He also announced on behalf of the party a donation of N10 million for the accident victims, stating that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Mutfwang led the chieftains to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to sympathize with the survivors.
They visited each of the victims in various wards at the hospital, starting from the emergency unit, praying and offering words of encouragement and hope to them. They also assured them that they would soon come out stronger.
One of the survivors, who was also the party’s youth leader in Mangu LGA, Adoge Yusuf Musa, could not hide his joy when he sighted the party leaders coming to his sick bed to sympathize with him. He become very strong despite the pains he was going through as he sustained injuries on his neck and stomach. He said: “I am glad that I came out alive. I can’t explain how the accident happened. It started like a dream and I just saw the truck falling on one side but there was nothing I could do. I pray for God’s healing so that I can join the campaign for the victory of our party in the February 25 and March 11 presidential and governorship elections, respectively.”
On Monday, Mutfwang proceeded to the rural communities where the deceased persons hailed from. He moved from one house to another, starting from Danggu to Jerep, Perka and Pishik villages in Ampang West, to sympathize with the grieving families. He also prayed fervently for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to comfort the families left behind.
The visit was emotional and painful as Mutfwang could not hold back his tears. He wept profusely when he sighted the aged parents and the grandparents of the deceased seated in discomfort after the burial of their beloved children.
He described the accident that led to the death of the youngsters as painful and unfortunate, lamenting that despite the caution and prayers offered before, during and after the campaign, the devil was still able to strike in such a deadly manner.
Mutfwang, who first visited the palace of the district head of Ampang West, Da Pius Mutla Finok, wept over the auto crash and said the deceased were all his younger brothers.
“We are in a mourning mood. We don’t know why this was allowed to happen despite several words of caution to the truck driver. I was told that a prominent person stopped to caution him, yet the devil still struck. They are all my younger brothers. We will miss them greatly,” he lamented.
In his response, the district head, Da Finok, commended Mutfwang for the visit, noting that no one had the capacity to question the authority of God.
Surprisingly, some parents of the deceased, in their separate comments, encouraged Mutfwang to remain strong and focused, even as they prayed for his victory in the election.
At of the time of this report, Daily Sun learnt that most of the survivors had been discharged from hospital.