The Rector of Plateau State Polytechnic (PlaPoly), Bldr. John Dawam has described the current ongoing protest by the casual staff of the Institution as ill-motivated, considering what he and his management team have achieved while in office.
Bldr. John Dawam made this known today, the 28th of March, 2023 at a Press Briefing held at the Conference Room of Tourist Lodge and Resort, Heipang, Barkin Ladi.
Recall that, the casual staff of the Plateau State Polytechnic yesterday, shutdown activities in the Institution by blocking all entrances to both campuses of the Institution and this continued today at both campuses.
The Rector, while appealing for peace to reign and the protesting workers to allow normal activities to resume in the school, described the positive changes the management has made since they got into office, but wondered why suddenly the casual staff choose this time to protest, which for the management, “they believe it is ill-motivated and there are forces operating behind the scenes”.
The Rector said, “I want to believe that, it is not just the opinion of the part-time and casual workers, it is ill-motivated. There are sponsors within the system that are bent on seeing that, this management is discredited. Yes! That is what we have seen, otherwise, if these things did not happen previously, why now? Despite the efforts, we are making,” Bldr. John Dawam said.
He went further to explain how his management has been able to employ and clear a backlog of salaries met on ground since they assumed office in February 2019.
“When we came in, we met a backlog of 16 months of unpaid stipend of the casual staff and we also inherited over 446 casual and part-time staff. It was also known to us that in 2006 employment was carried out in the polytechnic and some of them had spent over 20 years in the polytechnic and these casual staffs were not absolved into the institution until this time when we initiated employment.
“Let me put it straight. Not that they were not employed in this last employment, but they want the whole 446 to be employed. This is impossible! We initiated the idea behind this employment. Government has employed 202 of them,” he stated
He wondered why there was no protest before now, the Rector said, “And surprisingly again, even with the 16 months arrears that were owed to the casual and part-time staff, there was no protest, there was no disturbance in the polytechnic, yet things were assumed to be ok.
“With this liability on us, we tried our best to see that we settle these arrears gradually. We sat with them on severally occasions to discuss the modalities on how we can pay these backlogs. As time went on, other challenges came in, otherwise, we would have defrayed all these outstanding stipends owed the casual staff. COVID-19 crept in, which made things very difficult for us and then again, incessant strikes on the Plateau all made things difficult for us. And yet we did our best to pay the outstanding arrears of the casual and part-time staff. As I am speaking with you, we have only 13 months to pay.
He appealed to the protesting workers to understand with the management saying, “We are not bad, the management is caring, this management is loving so, while they are looking at it that the management is doing this deliberately, it is a wrong notion on the part the part-time and casual staff. We have been working round the clock to see that we solve this problem and that does not suggest in any way that the management is bad.
“They should understand with us, lets us all come to a round table, lets agree on their mode of payment. Everything that has a beginning will have an end, we will solve this problem, but I wonder why they are so adamant on protesting, it’s not the best”.
The outcomes of the concluded elections in Plateau State have generated 16 petitions already with that of the Governorship from the All Progressives Congress (APC) being processed. REALITY just gathered.
However, in the course of investigating the developments, the Secretary of the Governorship and Houses of Assembly Tribunal disclosed that, 11 of the 16 petitions before the Tribunal are challenging the House of Representatives Elections, while 5 petitions are challenging the outcomes of Senatorial elections.
REALITY further gathered also that, the Tribunal is expecting the Governorship petition from the APC, as Applications/Motions concerning the petition are already being heard by the Tribunal.
The allegations against the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council (LGC) of disrupting the collation of the Plateau State Governorship Poll results, held on the 18th of March, 2023 is yet to die down as the Chairman, Hon. Shehu Bala Usman has debunked the allegations, while witnesses at the venue, have also come out to accuse him further of telling half truths to Plateau people in his Press Release, dated 22nd – 03-2023, signed by Philip Eplong, his Media Aide.
You would recall that, in the press release the Chairman, Shehu Bala had claimed that, he only voted in his polling unit on that faithful day and that his going around the Local Government (LG) on that same day was a “Constitutional Responsibility”.
The release also stated that, the allegation that he was disrupting the collation at the poll was an imagination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agent.
The release in party reads:
PRESS RELEASE:
JOS NORTH COUNCIL BOSS DEBUNKS CLAIM OF OBSTRUCTING SATURDAY’S GOVERNORSHIP AND HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY IN JOS.
“Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council ,Shehu Bala Usman has debunked claims in some conventional and social media platforms that he disrupted the conduct of last Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly election in his locality.
“According to the Council Chairman, the allegations by an agent of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP at the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, state headquarters, Miango road, Jos is not only baseless , but a calculated attempt aimed at rubbishing his personality.
“The Chairman wonders why the said PDP agent will want to drag his name to the mud by making such spurious allegations against him when he only voted at his Ali Kazaure 021 polling unit.
“He said the claim that the said meeting he allegedly had with INEC officials at some polling units only exist in the realm of the author who is out to rubbish him and the ruling party.
“Usman explained that as a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in the State, it is incumbent on him not to do anything that is capable of truncating the peaceful election, by his actions or inactions.
“He reminded the PDP agent, that if what he was doing was tantamount to breaching the Electoral Act, why did security agencies who were stationed around the polling units not apprehend him?
“The Jos North Council Chairman, who expressed surprise with the allegations leveled against him, reminded the PDP agent that as the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government, he is constitutionally empowered to move round to ensure that peace is maintained.
“The Council Chairman while appealing for calm on the part of his supporters on the matter , urge the PDP agent, to mind his business by limiting himself to the role assigned to him by his party instead of meddling into other people’s affairs”.
However, Eye Witnesses at the venue of the collation have come out to accuse the Chairman of tell Plateau people half truths.
According to one of the Eye Witness, Mr. Abey Usman, he claimed that, the Chairman was at the collation center to hand over a petition. He even entered the collation hall.
According to the footage of the video made available to REALITY by Mr. Abey, it could be seen that, Hon. Shehu is discussing with another man at the center of the collation hall concerning the alleged petition.
On the call for the arrest of the Council Boss, another Eye Witness, Mr. Amos Goit, who lamented over the chairman’s p presence at the collation center, questioned if the Constitution also mandates him to be there.
He said, “The PDP agent was right to have called for his arrest as he has no authority to be at the collation center. If he claims he was doing his security checks around the LGA, does that include entering the collation hall?
The allegations against the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council (LGC) of disrupting the collation of the Plateau State Governorship Poll results, held on the 18th of March, 2023 is yet to die down as the Chairman, Hon. Shehu Bala Usman has debunked the allegations, while witnesses at the venue, have also come out to accuse him further of telling half truths to Plateau people in his Press Release, dated 22nd – 03-2023, signed by Philip Eplong, his Media Aide.
You would recall that, in the press release the Chairman, Shehu Bala had claimed that, he only voted in his polling unit on that faithful day and that his going around the Local Government (LG) on that same day was a “Constitutional Responsibility”.
The release also stated that, the allegation that he was disrupting the collation at the poll was an imagination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agent.
The release in party reads:
PRESS RELEASE:
JOS NORTH COUNCIL BOSS DEBUNKS CLAIM OF OBSTRUCTING SATURDAY’S GOVERNORSHIP AND HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY IN JOS.
“Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council ,Shehu Bala Usman has debunked claims in some conventional and social media platforms that he disrupted the conduct of last Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly election in his locality.
“According to the Council Chairman, the allegations by an agent of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP at the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, state headquarters, Miango road, Jos is not only baseless , but a calculated attempt aimed at rubbishing his personality.
“The Chairman wonders why the said PDP agent will want to drag his name to the mud by making such spurious allegations against him when he only voted at his Ali Kazaure 021 polling unit.
“He said the claim that the said meeting he allegedly had with INEC officials at some polling units only exist in the realm of the author who is out to rubbish him and the ruling party.
“Usman explained that as a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in the State, it is incumbent on him not to do anything that is capable of truncating the peaceful election, by his actions or inactions.
“He reminded the PDP agent, that if what he was doing was tantamount to breaching the Electoral Act, why did security agencies who were stationed around the polling units not apprehend him?
“The Jos North Council Chairman, who expressed surprise with the allegations leveled against him, reminded the PDP agent that as the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government, he is constitutionally empowered to move round to ensure that peace is maintained.
“The Council Chairman while appealing for calm on the part of his supporters on the matter , urge the PDP agent, to mind his business by limiting himself to the role assigned to him by his party instead of meddling into other people’s affairs”.
However, Eye Witnesses at the venue of the collation have come out to accuse the Chairman of tell Plateau people half truths.
According to one of the Eye Witness, Mr. Abey Usman, he claimed that, the Chairman was at the collation center to hand over a petition. He even entered the collation hall.
According to the footage of the video made available to REALITY by Mr. Abey, it could be seen that, Hon. Shehu is discussing with another man at the center of the collation hall concerning the alleged petition.
On the call for the arrest of the Council Boss, another Eye Witness, Mr. Amos Goit, who lamented over the chairman’s p presence at the collation center, questioned if the Constitution also mandates him to be there.
He said, “The PDP agent was right to have called for his arrest as he has no authority to be at the collation center. If he claims he was doing his security checks around the LGA, does that include entering the collation hall?
The former governor of Plateau State, Sen. (Dr.) Jonah David Jang (CON) has described the people of Plateau State as people of Character, Strength and Will, who are constantly willing to pursue the cause of the state.
In a statement titled: “CONGRATULATIONS PLATEAU: IT’S A NEW DAWN”, signed by his Media Aide, Clinton Garuba, Sen. Jang also stated that, the 2023 elections in Plateau State have shown that the people of Plateau State are now more politically aware and have decided to take their destiny into their hands.
“The attention that the 2023 election received shows that more people are now politically aware and have decided to take their destinies into their hands, especially, in choosing those who govern them.
“We must confess that, Plateau is endowed with people of character, capacity, will and strength to further the cause of the state. This keenly contested election had an array of some of Plateau’s finest crop of politicians and now that the people have decided in favour of the PDP, we rejoice with the winner”. Sen. Jang stated.
The former Governor of Plateau State Senator (Dr.) Jonah David Jang has joined millions of Plateau people and lovers of Plateau State to congratulate the Governor-Elect of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, for emerging victorious after a keenly contested election.
Sen. Jang in his Congratulatory Message signed by his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, titled: “CONGRATULATIONS PLATEAU: IT’S A NEW DAWN”, made available to media houses in the state, admonished the winner (Caleb Mutfwang) to embrace everyone and bear in mind that, he would now be responsible, for the wellbeing of not only his party members and supporters across party divides, but for everyone who is on the Plateau.
Adding that, “A lot of sacrifices were made by the Plateau people to give him the mandate to govern over them; some even paid the supreme price with their lives. All these sacrifices were borne out of the passion to see a new Plateau; the incoming governor therefore, cannot afford to fail his people – the Plateau people.
“As part of his campaign promises, he pledged to carry everyone along irrespective of tribe, religious affiliation, political inclination or other kinds of leanings. The time to prove to the world that he meant every word is now – be magnanimous in victory and be the leader everyone will love to have”.
People in Plateau State woke up on Tuesday the 21/03/2023 to be told that, the 14 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) for Governorship election allegedly missing have been returned and the suspect arrested.
The suspect, one Abubakar Usaini, claimed the BIVAS have been with him for three days on the grounds that he was providing security for the items as a RAC Officer of INEC.
Abubakar, who spoke to Journalists yesterday said, his action was owing to the situation he saw at the Collation Center and that his responsibility was to protect the BIVAS and other items.
He claimed he took the items away from the collation venue in his car, while accepting that he failed to involve the security and other necessary people in INEC while taking his action.
Pundits in Plateau have called this another failed attempt to manipulate the outcome of the Governorship election.
Steve Aluko Daniel, a Director in Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) while joining his voice to call for the prosecution of Abubakar said, the prosecution of Abubakar Usani would deter others who have same intention in the future.
Sam Oti, a renowned Human Rights Activist, while speaking to REALITY said, the attempt to cause confusion through Abubakar at the Governorship poll, using Naraguta “B” Ward by conflict merchants is a disgrace and that INEC should remain and maintain its decision of not including the results from the BIVAS.
Adding that, “Since, the results in the 14 BIVAS were not uploaded it should remain so, while the suspect and any of his accomplice(s) or co-conspirators should be prosecuted”.
You would recall that, REALITY had reported that, voters had foiled attempts to manipulate election results for Naraguta “B” Ward in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State during the collation exercise of the Plateau State Governorship poll’s results.
REALITY reported that, voters had thwarted attempts by some desperate politicians and unscrupulous INEC presiding officers to manipulate results of some poling units of the Ward
It was learnt that after voting had ended and results announced at the various polling units, some top politicians working for a particular political party stormed the Ward Collation Centre at the Government College Jos and went away with 14 BIVAS, election materials and some Presiding officers in their bid to allegedly manipulate the results already announced.
REALITY had also reported that, the alleged desperate politicians and their accomplices were later traced to a hotel where they were said to be changing the results of about 14 polling units in their favour .
A voter in Naraguta “B” Ward, Kabiru Audu, who witnessed the incident, confirmed the development to Jay FM in Jos as monitored by this paper.
Few minutes after INEC declared Barr Caleb Mutfwang as Plateau State Governor-Elect, aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have sent him a Congratulatory Message.
According to the Congratulatory Message signed by Johnson Podar (who doubles as the Spokesman of the Aggrieved Governorship Aspirants in the state) on behave of the aggrieved members of the APC, the message called on the Governor-elect, Barr Caleb, to be fair to all, as the unity, harmony and progress of the state now lie in his hand and leadership.
The Aggrieved Members of the APC in Plateau State also pledged to support and work with Caleb, towards restoring the lost glory of the state.
READ THE FULL TEXT BELOW:-
PRESS RELEASE
20/3/2023
AGGRIEVED APC MEMBERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH PLATEAU PROJECT II, CONGRATULATE (BARR) CALEB MUTFWANG ON HIS VICTORY AT THE POLLS
We the aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Plateau State, in conjunction with Plateau Project ll, heartily congratulate Barr Caleb Mutfwang on his victory at the Plateau State Governorship polls.
We also congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) its members, followers and supporters for the victory.
Barr Caleb, your victory at the polls did not come to us as a surprise considering the achievements already standing in your name. We believe that the unity of the state is safer with you our Governor-elect.
It was certainly a nail-biting experience, but we are sure you agree that it was most definitely worth it for everyone involved.
It has been proved that people love you a lot, now it’s your turn to love them back.
We have full belief and confidence in you and we know you will do amazing as an elected Governor of Plateau state.
As you make Plateau great again and restore its lost glory, we assure you of our unwavering support.
Our prayer is that God, who gave you victory, will continue to guide and protect you as Governor-Elect and beyond.
With few hours into the governorship elections in Nigeria, slated for 18th March, 2023 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Action Alliance (AA) a registered political party in Nigeria has disclaimed one Chief Yibalkos Amos Adam, as its governorship candidate for the governorship election in Plateau state.
Rather, the party has declared and firmed that, Dr. Simput Eagles Dafup ll, as its governorship candidate for Plateau State.
It has also called on INEC to disregard and discountenance the name of Chief Yibalkos Amos Adam in their records as he has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC)
You would recall that, the Tribune Online of 15th March, 2023, had reported that, the ADP, NNPP, AA have collapsed their structures in Plateau State and have teamed up with APC.
“Ahead of the Saturday gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, three political parties, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the Action Alliance (AA), and the African Democratic Party (ADP) in Plateau State, along with a later gubernatorial candidate, have dissolved their structures into the APC”. The online Newspaper had reported.
In the National Chairman’s statement signed on his behave by the National Secretary of the party, Amb. (Barr) Suleiman Abubakar and made available to REALITY, the National Chairman, while disclaiming Chief Yibalkos Amos Adam as its governorship candidate in Plateau and one Bigwan Jatau (Esq) as a candidate in Plateau State, stated that, “The authentic and legitimate governorship candidate for the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2023 Plateau State governorship election is Dr. Simput Eagles Dafup ll”.
Young Dr. Simput Eagles Dafup II has become the youngest contestant in the scheduled 11th March, 2023 governorship race in Plateau State.
Although his party the Action Alliance (AA) had a long legal battle with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through the end of last year, over the non-uploading and displaying the names of the party’s candidates, the heart of Dr. Simput to bring his wealth of knowledge to the state, cannot be over emphasized.
From the profile obtained by REALITY concerning the AA governorship candidate, he is a young community developer, an action driven leader who desires to add value to humanity and the environment. He’s a lover of people, calm, humble and diligent in his works.
He succeeded in unraveling a few brainchildren in Science and Technology domain, among whom are generation of hydropower plant single handedly for community use, building robotic systems and or IoT driven applications for smart societies.
Simput is a progressive, and by right a believer of Open Society principles. He has been in businesses, principally, oil and gas, energy, construction, and farming. He’s happily married.
CERTIFICATES SO FAR OBTAINED:
First Degrees:
Software Engineering, India
Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ghana
Information Technology, Ghana
Philosophy, USA
Master Degrees:
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Germany
Global Leadership, USA
Business Intelligence, India
Doctorate:
Engineering Management, India.
Leadership and Conflict Management, Nigeria.
Professional Trainings:
Flight Pilot training
Human Rights Studies, US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.
Prof. Dipl. in Private Investigation from Doyen Institute of Intelligence and Investigations.
Membership:
Member, Kuru Old Students Association (KOSA).
Member “MNIPE”, Nigerian Institute of Power Engineers (NIPE)
Fellow “FCRSA” of the International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators.
Distinguished Fellow “FILMMD” of the Institute of Leadership Manpower and Management Development.
There are strong indications that, after the victory of the Action Alliance (AA) over INEC at the Federal High Court Abuja Judicial Division, many politician have began to seek a place in the party, especially, in Plateau State.
You would recall that in the judgment of the Court in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1759/2022 filed by way of Originating Motion, the Action Alliance (AA) had challenged INEC for not uploading and displaying the names of its candidates for the 2023 general elections.
The Court in its judgment dated 4th November, 2022, had ordered and directed INEC to upload and display the names.
“Upon this notice of Originating Motion dated and filed on 30th day of September, 2022.
“And after hearing Chimezie Ogenna Nwodo (Esq), with Usman A. Dauda (Esq) and Faruk Mamedu (Esq), Counsel for the Applicant urging the court to grant the reliefs as contained in the Motion with the accompanying process and the Respondent being absent and not represented in Court with no Counter Affidavit filed.
“And the Court having delivered judgment this 4th day of November, 2022 makes the following Order.
“That the Respondent is directed to upload and display the names of the Applicant’s candidates for the 2023 General elections which had been forwarded to the Respondent as its candidates for the said General Election”. The Court had held.
Among the names not uploaded and displayed is the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Simput Eagles Dafup II.
See the Profile of the governorship candidate below:
Dr. Simput Eagles DafupII, is a young community developer, an action driven leader who desires to add value to humanity and the environment. He’s a lover of people, calm, humble and diligent in his works.
He’s succeeded in unraveling a few brainchildren in Science and Technology domain, among whom are generation of hydro power plant single handedly for community use, building robotic systems and or IoT driven applications for smart societies.
Simput is a progressive, and by right a believer of Open Society principles. He has been in businesses, principally, oil and gas, energy, construction, and farming. He’s happily married.
First Degrees:
Software Engineering, India
Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ghana
Information Technology, Ghana
Philosophy, USA
Master Degrees:
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Germany
Global Leadership, USA
Business Intelligence, India
Doctorate:
Engineering Management, India.
Leadership and Conflict Management, Nigeria.
Professional Trainings:
Flight Pilot training
Human Rights Studies, US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.
Prof. Dipl. in Private Investigation from Doyen Institute of Intelligence and Investigations.
Membership:
Member, Kuru Old Students Association (KOSA).
Member “MNIPE”, Nigerian Institute of Power Engineers (NIPE)
Fellow “FCRSA” of the International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators.
Distinguished Fellow “FILMMD” of the Institute of Leadership Manpower and Management Development.
A member of the Dakum/Pwajok 2023 Media Team, Kingsley Johnson Arinze has stated that, the next election would be checkmated as the youths in Plateau State have vowed not allow anybody change their mandate.
Speaking exclusively to Reality Newspaper Kingsley Johnson Arinze said, Dr. Patrick Dakum is the people’s choice and his group will ensure that, the people’s will prevail come 18th of March 2023.
Johson, who is also a member of Twanchit/Katongyese (Tudun Wada) for ObiDatti and Dakum/Pwajok also assured that, there would be no voter apathy as they have made sure the people understand the consequences of doing so.
According to Johnson, “Dr. Dakum is the people’s choice and we would make sure the peoples will prevail.
“Dakum is ready to take Plateau to greater and better heights.
“Plateau people should expect a government that would carry everybody along, because that is what Dakum stands for as his combination with Edward Pwajok works towards “Consolidating a greater and better Plateau”.
“Our campaign is centered on what we call the “ATMS” – Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Security. And more importantly, he has promised to hit the ground running from his first day in office.
“Don’t forget that, his Deputy, Hon. Edward Pwajok is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and we have never had it this good on the Plateau, a Medical Doctor and a SAN. So as you can see, Plateau is in safe hands.”
On the fear that there would be voter apathy, Mr. Johnson, went further to urge the electorates not to be deterred by the events that occurred in the presidential elections, but rather, see it as an opportunity to correct the wrongs that occurred.
“We are very prepared and everything is set. They say Politics is local, Yes! We have also covered the grassroots and social media as well.
“People are angry as a result of INEC’s inadequacies during the presidential elections, but we have made sure they understand the implication of not coming out to vote.
“There will be no voter apathy because, people are tired of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government on the Plateau.
“We have assured them that, their vote will count and we would do everything within the law to make sure their votes are protected”.
The much awaited live appearance of Edward Pwajok (SAN) on Rhythm 93.7 Fm Jos has been slated for 4.00pm today, Thursday, 16th March, 2023.
From the feeler reaching REALITY, the people of Plateau State, especially the Youth Movement, would be expecting, Pwajok (SAN) to speak on the victory of Dr. Patrick Dakum’s in house victory within the Labour Party (LP) from the Lower Court to the Supreme Court.
Secondly, his emergence as the Running Mate, his expectations and projections of their plans for the state, if they are elected by the electorates.
Edward is expected to explain his feeling concerning the implant of his picture in the campaign posters of other political party and the rumour that he has a plan of stepping down from the contest owing to the waves of challenges.
The much awaited live appearance of Edward Pwajok (SAN) on Rhythm 93.7 Fm Jos has been slated for 4.00pm today, Thursday, 16th March, 2023.
From the feelers reaching REALITY, the people of Plateau State, especially the Youth Movement, would be expecting, Pwajok (SAN) to speak on the victory of Dr. Patrick Dakum’s in house victory within the Labour Party (LP) from the Lower Court to the Supreme Court.
Secondly, his emergence as the Running Mate, his expectations and projections of their plans for the state, if they are elected by the electorates.
Edward is expected to explain his feelings concerning the implant of his picture in the campaign posters of other political party and the rumour that he has a plan of stepping down from the contest owing to the waves of challenges.
You would recall that REALITY had reported that, there is a strong indication that, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State are already gripped with fear as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the state, Hon. Edward Pwajok (SAN) has decided to break his silence, over the legal issues surrounding the qualification of PDP candidates from the governorship to the house of assembly and the issues within the APC as the party allegedly is trying to fool the electorate over youth related issues in the state.
You would also recall that, REALITY had reported that, the APC in an attempt to stop Pwajok (SAN) from speaking out to the general public, the party is making frantic efforts to buy up all available air spaces in media houses operating in the state since last week.
It was also gathered that, the PDP is deadly worried that an explanation from Pwajok (SAN) concerning the qualification of its candidate in the forthcoming elections, slated by INEC for 18th March, 2023, may greatly affect the party.
However, for the “Obidients” in the state, the breaking of silence by E. D. Pwajok (SAN) is a welcome idea that has over stayed.
Labour Party (LP) Stakeholders in Plateau State, have described the party’s Governorship Rallies held across the length and breadth of the state, as a clear roadmap for the party’s victory in the upcoming general elections.
The running mate to Dr. Patrick Dakum, Edward Pwajok (SAN) Supporters’ Group, has also expressed satisfaction with the governorship campaign rallies.
According to them the rally was effective in canvassing votes for the governorship candidate.
They lauded the turnout of the party’s supporters and well wishers across the state during these rallies.
However, the support group took time to also debunk and described as laughable the efforts made to attach Hon. Pwajok (SAN) picture as a Deputy Governorship candidate under another party.
The statement from Pwajok (SAN) support group further distanced their principal from such misleading plan of stepping down, while cautioning mischief makers not to allow themselves to be used against their candidates for their selfish reasons.
“LP Obedience is a political journey in Nigeria and Nigerians should remain resolute to its victory to Little Rayfield.
“We equally want to use this opportunity to call on all eligible voters to collectively come out on Saturday to use their voter’s card as that remains the only tool to be used in showing love for the party”. They submitted.
They urged electorate to vote for Dr Patrick /Pwajok as governor/deputy for the state alongside other LP candidates in the forthcoming 18th March, 2023 elections.
The running mate supporters’ group also commended the women’s wing of the party as the group described their support, “as overwhelming”.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has expressed delight with the shifting of the governorship and house of Assembly election by INEC saying that it has given his party an opportunity to strategies very well for the election.
Addressing party supporters in Lafia at a “Strategy Stakeholders Meeting” on Tuesday, the Governor recalled with sadness the loss of the state at the Presidential election, which he blamed on the movement that swept across the country. He however, expressed the confidence that, “the ruling party is going to win the state on 18th March, 2023.
He said all the loopholes that might have stood against the party’s victory have properly been mended.
While thanking Senator Tanko Almakura for organizing the stakeholders meeting, Engineer Sule noted that, the meeting has accorded party supporters an opportunity to brainstorm, as well as, share ideas on the way forward.
Earlier, the convener of the meeting, Senator Tanko Almakura, had announced that, the ruling party cannot afford to lose the state to an opposition party on the Saturday’s governorship election. He therefore, challenged APC supporters in the state to brace up and face the forth coming challenges with vigor.
He further stressed the need for them to put behind the last election and come out with intelligent plans on how to retain the state come 18th March, 2023.
At the meeting, top party supporters extolled the good virtues of Governor Sule and his rapid transformation efforts in the state and appealed to the people of the state to give him an additional four years to complete the good work he has started.
Finally, the tussle between Yohanna Margif and Dr. Patrick Dakum on who is the governorship candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in Plateau state has being put to rest, as the Supreme Court has dismissed the Appeal filed by Margif challenging the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Jos Division, today.
This judgment has also re-elevated the statue of the Labour Party (LP), as a party to beat come 18th March, 2023.
You would recall that, the youths in Plateau State, who are the major supporters and movers of the Labour Party, have waited for this day for a very long time.
With the dispute in the party now settled by the Supreme Court, pundits in the state are of the opinion that, the combination of Dr. Patrick Dakum/ Edward Pwajok (SAN), as governor and deputy is a done deal come 11th March, 2023.
You would recall that, REALITY had this morning earlier reported that, the Appeal filed by Yohanna Margif at the Supreme Court, challenging the Judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal Jos Division in favour of the Governorship candidature of Dr. Patrick Dakum/ Edward Pwajok’s ticket on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) comes up today.
REALITY also reported that, parties in the matter have been served notices regarding the sitting of today.
The assessment of the governorship candidates and their deputies is an exercise that is ongoing across the country as 18th March, 2023 draws nearer.
In Plateau State, Dr. Patrick Dakum /Edward Pwajok are a combination to beat in the current race to the Plateau State Government House, says Engineer Sam Ogijo, while assessing the governorship candidates and their deputies across political parties in the State.
While speaking to REALITY concerning the forthcoming quadrennial ritual of INEC slated for Saturday, 18th March, 2023, Engr. Sam said, “Dr. Patrick Dakum and his running mate, Edward Pwajok’s policies and projected plans are in reality, ringing bells towards providing solution to the vacuum in the state’s leadership, as been observed.
Sam said, “In Plateau State, the political stage is bearing signs of a tough contest among three candidates, who are fairly and equally strong to win the polls. The foremost contenders for the big win include, Dr. Patrick Dakum of the Labour Party, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Barr Caleb Mutfwang of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“Besides, the zoning arrangement further indicates that, all the three are from Plateau Central Senatorial District where the governorship seat is zoned to in line with the people’s unwritten rotational arrangement.
“Ordinarily, electing a governor of a state from a senatorial zone will appear to constrict the political space and restrict choices, but the three contestants in particular, have varied experiences that may serve the needs of the State and its people in this trying period.
However, the verse knowledge and exposure of the combination of Dr. Patrick Dakum/Edward Pwajok is placing them above others contestants vying for the seat at Little Rayfield hence, the youths who are causing the wind of change are placing their support and trust on them.
“It is a fact that, only one of them would have the opportunity to win, but from my mind and a good perusal of the successes, challenges and testimonies concerning the Labour Party governorship candidate and his deputy, the will to deliver on good governance is more balanced and in favour of them and surely, this is an advantage the youths in Plateau State are seeing over their closest rivals, as Dakum/Pwajok continue to exhibit reason(s) why Plateau State needs to be re-positioned, with their plans of addressing its dwindling economy for the future of the youths in the state”.
The Appeal filed by Yohanna Margif at the Supreme Court, challenging the Judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal Jos Division in favour of the Governorship candidature of Dr. Patrick Dakum/ Edward Pwajok’s ticket on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) comes up today.
REALITY gathered that, parties in the matter have been served notices regarding the sitting of today.
READ THE COURT OF APPEAL’S POSITION ON THE PDP CANDIDATE’S QUALIFICATION BELOW:-
Referring to the submissions of the appellant’s counsel that Exhibits P9B and P9C were not mentioned nor pleaded facts in relation to them in ground one of the petition, Learned Senior Counsel submitted that the Appellants’ counsel submissions is baseless because the Exhibits were pleaded in paragraphs 16 and 17 of the petition at pages 7 and 8 of the Record of Appeal.
Learned Senior Counsel submitted further that even if the 3rd Respondent was not a party to Exhibit P9B and P9C, it does not remove its binding effect on the 1st Appellant to obey the orders therein to the latter. That assuming without conceding it was the National Working Committee that sponsored the 2nd Appellant in the bye election under scrutiny, this was not pleaded or averred by the Appellants before the Tribunal and it still would not obliterate the illegality that all the delegates that voted to nominate the 2nd Appellant were not legitimate delegates and could not have validly nominated the 2ndAppellant and which also means the 1st Appellant would equally lack the vires or capacity to sponsor the 2nd Appellant for the bye election. That the 2nd Appellant was not sponsored by the 1st Appellant who at the time of the election had no capacity to sponsor a candidate which goes to the root of the validity of the 2nd Appellant’s candidature. The court is urged to so find and uphold the finding of the tribunal in this regard. He relied on this submission on the case of APC Vs Marafa (2020)6 NWLR (Pt. 1721) 383 at 43 para E.
With regard to the submission of the Appellant’s counsel that the 1st and 2nd Respondents sought for interpretation of Exhibit P9 series, Learned Senior Counsel submitted that the Appellants’ counsel was misconceived as none of the reliefs sought by the 1st and 2nd Respondents prayed for the interpretation of Exhibit P9 series. His heavy reliance on the case of Mbina Vs INEC (supra) is irrelevant.
That the 1stand 2nd Respondents rather prayed the Honourable Tribunal to give effects to orders of court, which is that the 1st Appellant had no structure to, and indeed did not sponsor the 2nd Appellant to contest the bye election, and 1st Appellant rendered him unqualified and in breach of Section 65 (2) (b)of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 101(e) of the Electoral Act, and against which the Electoral Act under Section 134(1)(a) has given the 1st and 2nd Respondents the audacity to approach the Tribunal for redress. The case of APC Vs Marafa (supra) at page 43 para D-E and Nwosu Vs APC (2020)16 NWLR (Pt. 1749) 20 (SC) were referred to.
It is finally submitted on the issue that the Tribunal was right when it relied on Exhibit P9 series particularly P9B and P9C to hold that the 1st and 2nd Respondents were not seeking interpretation of Exhibits P9 series and the 2nd Appellant was at the time of the bye election not qualified to contest the election as the 1st Appellant had no legal structure upon which capacity to sponsor the 2nd Appellant would have stood.
We are urged to resolve the issue in favour of the 1st and 2nd Respondents.
The essence of reply brief is to respond to new issues that must have arisen from the Respondent’s Brief which does not arise in this case. Reply brief is not an avenue to re-argue or embellish what has been canvassed in the main brief which is what the Appellants did in this case. The reply is therefore discountenanced.
The complaint of the 1st and 2nd Respondents in ground one of their petition is that the 2nd Appellant was not qualified to have contested the bye election of 26th February, 2022 into the office of Member, Federal House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
The 1st and 2nd Appellants in their reply to the petition averred in paragraph 7 that at the time of the election, the 2nd Appellant was duly qualified to contest the election having satisfied all the requirements of the relevant law and having been duly screened and cleared to contest the election. In paragraph 8 of the reply to give the petition it is disposed that all the Judgements (Ruling of the High Court of Plateau State referred to in paragraph 17 of the petition have no bearing on the qualification of the 2nd Appellant to contest the bye election. It is deposed in paragraph 16 that the 2nd Appellant was validly nominated and sponsored by the 1st Appellant after a duly conducted congress recognized by the 3rd Respondent.
It is important to point out at this stage that the appellants have a misconception of this issue. The issue is not whether the 2nd Appellant was screened and cleared to contest the election to have satisfied all the requirements of the law. The issue in controversy with regard to the non-qualification of the 2nd Appellant to contest the bye election of 26th February, 2022 relates to an order of court of competent jurisdiction, the High Court of Plateau State directing the 1st Appellant to conduct election for the PDP Executive Committee members for Plateau State. Exhibit “P9C” is the Judgment of the High Court of Plateau State in Suit No. PLD/J304/2020 delivered on the 26th day of November, 2020. It will not be out of place to produce the order of the court which reads:
“An order directing the 1st defendant. (1st Appellant) to take all steps, actions to conduct election for the PDP Executive Committee Members of Plateau State in accordance with the combined provisions of Section 223(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 85(3) of the Electoral Act (2010) (as amended), Article 49(1) of the Constitution of the People’s Democratic Party and paragraphs 5.2-5.5 of the Guidelines for the conduct of Ward, L.G.A, State, Zonal Congresses and the National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party”.
I have painstakingly gone through the averments of the Appellants in their reply to the petition at pages 93-101 of the record dated the 2nd day of April, 2022, there is nothing to show that the 1st Appellant complied with the order of the court before it sponsored the 2nd Appellant to contest the bye election of the 26th February, 2022 for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
The Appellant’s counsel has a misconception when he argued that the matter is a pre-election matter which the 1st and 2nd Respondents ought to have sought for redress before the election Tribunal. Learned counsel for the Appellants also argued that the 1st and 2nd Respondents did not plead any fact in relation to the Judgments of the
Plateau State High Court in Suit No. PLD/J/304/2020, as basis for non-qualification of the Appellants. This is incorrect. At page 7 of the Record of Appeal paragraph 16(a)(b)(c) and (d) the judgments of the Plateau State High Court to be relied upon by the 1st and 2nd Respondents were specifically pleaded in paragraph 16(c). Arguing further learned counsel for the Appellant submitted that Exhibits “P9B” and P9C” have no link with nomination and sponsorship of the 2nd Appellant and cannot be used to determine whether the 1st Appellant validly sponsored the 2nd Appellant for the bye election.
Learned Senior Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Respondents argued that by virtue of Section 65(2)(b) of the Constitution, the person vying for office of the House of Representatives must be a member of the political party and sponsored by that party which by implication must have a structure that sponsors a candidate for the election.
In the instant case, the structure of the 1st Appellant was nullified by a court of competent jurisdiction as reproduced earlier in this judgment. It follows therefore the 1st Appellant has no structure in existence to sponsor the 2nd Appellant for the bye election of 26th February, 2022 for House of Representatives, Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency for failure to comply with order of Plateau State High Court in Suit No. PLD/J304/2020, Exhibit P9C.
An issue of qualification of a candidate to contest an election under the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) is both a pre-election and election matter. See Fayemi Vs Oni (2020)8 NWLR (Pt. 1726) 222 at 229. The purported screening, clearance and sponsorship of the 2nd Appellant by the 1st Appellant being a nullity and emerging therefrom, he could not be regarded as a candidate of the 1st Appellant within the meaning and context of Section 106(d) of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). No political party by virtue of section 106(d) of the constitution can be declared winner of any election if it had no candidate qualified to contest the election. See Aghedo Vs Adenomo (2018)13 NWLR (pt. 1636) 264.
In the instant case, the 1st Appellant did not comply with the order of the court of competent jurisdiction directing it to take steps to conduct election for the PDP Executive Committee Members for Plateau State, when it purportedly sponsored the 2nd Appellant to contest the bye election of 26th February, 2022 for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Now the question to be asked is whether the sponsorship of the 2nd Appellant by the 1st Appellant could be said to be valid as argued by the Appellants’ counsel? The answer is in the negative. This is because the 1st Appellant who is a party in both Exhibits P9B and P9C is bound to obey and comply with the order of the court as contained in Exhibit P9C, Suit No. PLD/J304/2020. But in total flagrant disobedience of the court order, the 1st Appellant went ahead to sponsor the 2nd Appellant to contest the bye election to the House of Representatives for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency Plateau State. A Judgment of Court of competent jurisdiction which has not been set aside on appeal is subsisting and binding on the parties affected by the said Judgment. The 1st Appellant is duty bound to respect and comply with the order of the court. This the 1st Appellant has failed to do in this case. The act of the 1st Appellant in sponsoring the 2nd Appellant for the bye election is void which has no legal effect. A party may not derive an advantage from its own unlawful acts, and this is captured in the latin expression nulluscommodumcaperepotest, exsua injuria, which means no man can take advantage of his own wrong. See Nwosu Vs Ape (2020)16 NWLR (Pt. 1749) 28 at 35 &Oyeneyin Vs Akinkugbe (2020)4 NWLR (Pt. 1184) 265.
Another group has added its voice to the various voices calling for the arrest of an Islamic leader, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, by the Plateau State Government and the security organizations/institutions operating in Plateau State and the country at large.
The Movement for the Survival of Plateau People (MOSOP) has called for the arrest and prosecution of Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, over an alleged inciting statement credited to him ahead of the governorship poll in Plateau state.
In a joint statement signed and issued in Jos, the capital of Plateau State and made available to REALITY, the President of MOSOP, Solomon Bako and the General Secretary, Ibrahim Audu, described the statement by Sheikh Jingir as “a threat to peace in Plateau State”.
It would be recalled that, Sheikh Jingir, while recently canvassing for support for his preferred governorship candidate in Plateau State was quoted as calling on the Muslims to vote the APC candidate, Dr. Nentawe because for him, “it will be a win for Islam on the Plateau”.
In another video, which has gone viral in the Social Media, the Islamic leader also described the Berom ethnic nationality and other Plateau tribes as killers even as he called on Muslims in Jos North-North not to vote for the PDP candidate, Barrister CALEB MUTFWANG, while also labeling him as a Berom Candidate.
The Movement for the Survival of Plateau People stated that, the statement by the Islamic leader was a threat to the peace in the state, adding that, security operatives should arrest and prosecute him, while maintaining that, “The people of Plateau State cannot afford to extend their suffering and bad governance brought upon them by the APC administration in the last eight years, which made them to clamour for change in support of the PDP governorship candidate”.
The group also urged the state government not to “fold its hand and watch some people use religion to cause trouble for the state under the guise of politics”.
It is not a good time for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, as the slated Governorship and State House of Assembly elections approaches, since, the Youth Movements in the state have not changed their stand of removing and replacing the Old Order.
You would recall that, the youths across the country have lamented the high rate of unemployment, security brutality and poverty.
They have expressed this anger over the poor and unworkable situation of things in the country in their various protests in which they had also recorded deaths among their folds.
In a press statement by a group, “The Movement For Youth Security”, signed by its Protem Chairman, Mr. Isaac Mann, dated 13th March 2023, made available to REALITY, the group has vowed not to go outside its established aim of causing the change of the Old Order and entrenching a new order and leadership style in Plateau State and the country at large.
According to the statement, “Our fellow youths have paid the supreme price for this cause and we cannot disrespect their sacrifices. We are now more determined to cause the change and remove the old order in Plateau State like our fellow youths are also determined to do in other states.
“We have backed the Labour Party as the third force and platform to cause this expected change and we are not backing out no matter the campaign and vote buying plans.
“We have directed our members and other affiliates to remain focused as #Endsars would be a joke if attempts as put in place to rig the 11th March, 2023 elections”.
The movement has also called on its fellow youths to vote for the Labour Party (Dr. Dakum/Pwajok SAN) in Plateau State.
There is a strong indication that, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State are already gripped with fear as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the state, Hon. Edward Pwajok (SAN) has decided to break his silence, over the legal issues surrounding the qualification of PDP candidates from the governorship to the house of assembly and the issues within the APC as the party tries to fool the electorate over youth related issues in the state.
REALITY gathered that, the APC in an attempt to stop Pwajok (SAN) from speaking out to the general public, the party is making frantic efforts to buy up all available air spaces in media houses operating in the state since last week.
It was also gathered that, the PDP is deadly worried that an explanation from Pwajok (SAN) concerning the qualification of its candidate in the forthcoming elections, slated by INEC for 18th March, 2023, may greatly affect the party.
However, for the Obidients in the state, the breaking of silence by E. D. Pwajok (SAN) is a welcome idea that has over stayed.
You would recall that the PDP and the APC at several fora have continued to tell the people of Plateau State that, they are in alliance with the Labour Party (LP).
The two parties have also coined out slogans to show that they are with the Youth Movement in the state.
You would recall that, the youths in Plateau State, as a “New Generation Platform” came to be, owing to observed bad governance, security brutality, among other unpopular polices of government at both the state and federal levels.
This anger of the youths gave birth to the #Endsars Movement across the country, Plateau State inclusive that further recorder killings of innocent youthful protesters.
You would also recall that, it was this protest and movement of the youths that led to the support for the Labour Party (LP) as an “Alternative Force”, aimed at uprooting the ancient political parties (APC/PDP).
The Media Aide to the former governor of Plateau State, Sen. Jonah David Jang has added his voice to the condemnations trailing the Plateau State Commissioner for Information’s reaction to the comments of Jang, while he was condemning the introduction of religion into the body polity of the state by Sheik Y. Jingir.
Clinton Odafe Garuba, the Media Consultant to Senator Jonah Jang in a press statement tagged: “JANG’S TOXIC INTERVIEW; DAN MANJANG IS OBVIOUSLY OBSESSED WITH JANG”, circulated to media houses in the state, described Dan Manjang as, “a child every parent will pray not to have”.
Adding that, instead of adding his voice to the patriotic call made by Sen. Jang in honour of the memory of his late father, “Manjang chooses the shameful path of dancing ‘Awilo’ on top of his father’s grave”.
Clinton in his over 12 pages stated that, “Manjang represents that child every parent will pray not to have; otherwise how will one explain how Manjang will pick up a fight with Senator Jang for the simple fact that, Jang rebuked Sheik Jingir for asking Muslims to vote the APC governorship candidate Dr. Nentawe because, for him that will be a win for Islam on the Plateau.
“Jang was right to have cautioned the Islamic preacher not to mix religion with politics because, such messages deepen hatred and have led to the death of many including the father of Manjang, late Pastor Manjang, (of blessed memory), who was murdered as a result of religious intolerance.
“Instead of adding his voice to this patriotic call in honour of the memory of his late father, whose pre occupation was translating the Holy Bible into local languages, Manjang chooses the shameful path of dancing ‘Awilo’ on top of his father’s grave. Indeed, he is a useless son and one wonders what kind of example he is leaving behind.
“The Commissioner must recognize that unlike his mates, former Governor Jang has written his name in gold in the hearts of plateau people and whatever way Manjang thinks he could use to denigrate a man who has distinguished himself in all his endeavours, would only end as an exercise in futility. He should pray that he becomes like Jang and earn himself some respect rather than being the lapdog of failed politicians who cannot boast to have achieved a quarter of what former Governor Jang achieved.
“It should not also be lost on Manjang that, when it comes to issue of politics, Jang is not a neophyte like him who has never contested and won elections, he should be grateful to Jang who even gave him an opportunity in which he failed woefully to deliver on the responsibilities of the office and was eventually shown the way out.
“If he still harbours any grudge against Jang for booting him out of his administration, he should find consolation in the fact that he now has a place where mediocrity is assumed to be one of the hallmarks of progress.
“He should learn to continue to bootlick in peace than struggle to find cheap popularity by throwing unfounded jabs at former Governor Jonah David Jang”.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF Clinton Odafe Garuba, THE
Media Consultant to Senator J. Jang BELOW:-
JANG’S TOXIC INTERVIEW; DAN MANJANG IS OBVIOUSLY OBSESSED WITH JANG
I have decided to take the time to issue a reply to the Commissioner of Information, Dan Manjang, who many consider as a “deadwood” in “Information Management” on the Plateau that has found a new hobby of insulting the former Governor, Sen. (Dr) Jonah David Jang.
In his thinking, I am guessing that, all the vituperations poured on Jang shows how much he venerates his principal.
He forgets quickly though that, in whatever mould he puts the former Governor or whatever yardstick he uses to measure him, the man towers far above those he seeks to please, let alone, himself.
Manjang represents that child every parent will pray not to have; otherwise how will one explain how Manjang will pick up a fight with Senator Jang for the simple fact that, Jang rebuked Sheik Jingir for asking Muslims to vote the APC governorship candidate Dr. Nentawe because, for him that will be a win for Islam on the Plateau.
Jang was right to have cautioned the Islamic preacher not to mix religion with politics because, such messages deepen hatred and have led to the death of many including the father of Manjang, late Pastor Manjang, (of blessed memory), who was murdered as a result of religious intolerance.
Instead of adding his voice to this patriotic call in honour of the memory of his late father, whose pre occupation was translating the Holy Bible into local languages, Manjang chooses the shameful path of dancing ‘Awilo’ on top of his father’s grave. Indeed, he is a useless son and one wonders what kind of example he is leaving behind.
Former Governor Jang by every means has earned the place of an elder statesman and it would only take disrespectful people with a distasteful character to think or say otherwise. This is the category to which the Commissioner fits and a reply at this time is to show who he really is so that, his lies and bile commentary are not sold to the simple and gullible. Ordinarily, the commissioner does not require a reply, as that will amount to dignifying obvious mediocrity.
Manjang suggests that, the outing by the former Governor was to push out lies and propaganda to do maximum damage to the APC and its candidate. Does anyone need to do a better job at that than what the APC has done to itself? If the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections which are clear as to where the Plateau people stand do not say anything to the APC, Lalong and his foot soldiers such as Manjang ,then their cognitive abilities require a clinical examination. In case Dan Manjang has chosen to have amnesia on the recent political happenings, then we need not remind him that the looming defeat at the oncoming polls will jolt him back to his senses and no amount of rigging will help them, as the people have been fully mobilized to lawfully protect their votes against all forces, including the thugs and compromised government agents.
It has become the trademark of the Manjangs of this world to label anything which is not in their favour as being biased or lacking in experience and competence. Unfortunately, the NBC is not an arm of the Plateau State Government which will take orders from the Commissioner of Information. The Lalong government has done it’s worst and seen that it did not deter Jay FM from being the Radio station of choice on the Plateau. This is not the first time Manjang’s inexperience and incompetence will show itself.
It earned him a sack in the Jang administration and can only find accommodation in a sea of incompetence as characterized by the government of the day. Dan Manjang, unfortunately, did not go back to read the comments trailing the post in the link he shared in his treatise. Had he done so, perhaps he would hide his face in shame than continue to share a post with a litany of lies as confirmed by the very people, who are supposed beneficiaries of these projects.
To quote some of the comments, “everything on this list is a completion of the projects initiated by the Jang administration or those which were executed by the local governments” or is it the one which says this list is a collection of the projects in the imagination of the Lalong administration? The commissioner is suffering from dementia (sic) dimensia – a “multidimensial” or is it multidimensional poverty of ideas) hence he calls the projects initiated by the former Governor as abandoned. At least the claimed abandoned projects dot the landscape of the Plateau, where are Lalong’s projects?
Is it the overinflated British American Junction flyover built with a N13bn debt from Access Bank or the yet-to-be-seen 400 tractors inaugurated by the President? Again, where are the “Legacy Projects” and at what financial cost to the people of Plateau? Need we remind the Commissioner that the Secretariat to Marraraban Jama’a road which was initiated by Jang is not completed up till today but the Federal Government has refunded billions of naira with the recent refund of N6bn? He should tell the Plateau people as the Commissioner of Information what the Government has done with the Federal allocation for 8 years and the recent refunds or ask his principal to come out and apologize to the Plateau people.
When former Governor Jang says that Lalong has not done anything, it is on record as we write that official figure from Budgit puts the total debt of Plateau State at over 200bn. That is debt per capital of N34,000. Put in a simple language, it means everyone on the plateau today has a debt of N34, 000 each including children. Presently we are 36 out of 36 states in the country in terms of debt sustainability. When you realize that not even a dollar has come into Plateau State as direct capital investment in addition to the over 200b debt, the IGR of almost eight years of about 13b, non-debt capital received in form of VAT and others which stand at over 42bn , allocation from the federal government which is also over 80bn , it will be very safe to conclude that Lalong has really done NOTHING.
It is shameful that one who prides himself as a honourable (?) Commissioner has reduced himself to the level of a tout who disrespects and insults anyone who holds a different opinion. In case Manjang does not know what his job entails, spokespersons have the primary and critical role of making friends for his principal, organisation or group. Hon. (sic) Manjang’s choice of words betrays the fact that he has not learned the use of the tools of persuasion and explanation to turn the tide around by working to make friends out of his principal’s hoard of enemies. Resorting to the use of words such as nonsense to describe someone in Jang’s calibre is to show that he has no cogent reasoning. It is a reflection of his inner character – a lack of ideas and filled with bile. The last person to school Jang on the politics of the Plateau on matters of zoning would not even be a Manjang. What does he know about politics other than the usual scheming to find himself in a position where he does nothing but expose his mediocrity all in the name of defending the indefensible. He must also know that after all is said and done, the political tension that has mounted now will ease but the true measure of the character he has exhibited will be a badge for which he has come to be known. He has admitted that the PDP has brilliant people who are prepared to take Plateau State out of the dark place that it now is. Even the Caleb Mutfwang that he so derides with claims to have failed in running one local Government has experience that he lacks. People like him only thrive on servitude and crumb-chasing politicking for personal gains.
The Commissioner betrays his hatred for Jang by bringing up again the once failed rumour that Yakubu Jang was going to be the Deputy Governorship candidate on the PDP ticket. But I guess Plateau people know better, having failed with the first attempt, Manjang has childishly brought up the Yakubu Jang card again to see if it will score him some cheap points but once again, the election before us is 2023 and not 2027. While we pray and do our part for a better Plateau, our concern should be about 2023. We need not say that Manjang would have known better that he is not in a position to fathom things that are obvious let alone knowing what the grand design of Senator Jonah David Jang is.
Does Manjang have any personal issue with Yakubu Jang or is he afraid that the ignominy that awaits him will send him to oblivion after another dismal outing in the Lalong administration? Only he can tell us why he likes peddling rumours using the name of Yakubu Jang. If Yakubu wanted to contest for any position in Plateau State, it will take the electorate to decide his fate not Manjang who has become so petty and can’t speak in defence of his food barn without dragging the name of Jang into it.
When it is the turn of the Northern Zone to present a governorship candidate, Manjang is at liberty to contest or support any candidate of his choice. As one who knows him and wishes him well, I caution that he needs to rest from peddling the name of Yakubu Jang to avoid self-induced hypertension or high blood related ailments.Yes! Jang has worked, dined and wined with Muslims throughout his military and political careers, he even appointed Muslims into his cabinet as Governor and will continue to work with Muslims who have the interest of Plateau at heart. Maybe, Manjang should tell us in the 8 years of Jang where pulpits and religious preaching openly and brazenly portrayed religion as the basis for voting in Plateau State. In addition, where and how Jang is using the church to endorse a candidate and even insisting on a COCIN-COCIN ticket? He should be ashamed that it is only during the tenure of his party that terminologies like Muslim-Muslim ticket, COCIN-COCIN ticket have become part of our political lexicon. How else can division be explained beyond these terminologies? Plateau people had never cared what denomination its leaders belonged to, until Lalong and his party popularised such issues.
Unlike Lalong and the likes of Manjang, former Governor Jang does not have a stooge .The PDP candidate was validly nominated and emerged from a process which had brought together all the candidates, even after the primaries. The candidate has not only been a member of the party but was elected as Local Government Chairman on its platform before the Lalong administration illegally cut short his tenure and has continued to spreads rumours of non-payment of salaries as if it were Chairmen who paid salaries. How about the candidate of the APC? When did he become a member of the APC that such a sham process was organized to shut out longstanding members of the party just to plant him as a lap boy of Lalong once he leaves office. Between the PDP and APC candidate , whose emergence will better be described as being prepared to be a stooge? It is laughable how Manjang tries to play up and force narratives to suit his all-out assault on Jang but forgets that Jang’s pedigree outclasses that of his master, the one he struggles so hard but in vain to portray in good light.
Jang may have gloated over Lalong’s loss but he holds an opinion to that and not even a thousand Manjangs can deprive him of such a right. Jang may have attempted to be Governor in the past and failed but when he became Governor, he gave a good account of himself that thereafter, losing an election immediately after leaving office as Governor was never a thing to contemplate. Wouldn’t the same have been the fate of Lalong had he even attempted to do a little of what Jang did in the State as Governor?
Whether Jang was imposed, became Chairman of Governors Forum or not, did he leave a mark in the State after 8 years as Governor should be an issue in contention? In any case, what did Lalong’s Chairmanship of the Northern Governor’s Forum, nay, becoming an errand boy of the Northern Governors benefit Plateau State other than, pitching him against the very people he swore to protect? Manjang keeps forgetting again that, unlike him, those who served well under the Jang administration are eternally grateful for the exposure and experience. Trying to drag the Distinguished Senator I. D Gyang into his vitriol is unnecessary. Saying that for fear of defeat from Sen. I. D Gyang, former Governor Jang went on a wild voyage is clutching on to anything you find for survival. Senator Gyang holds former Governor Jang in high esteem and would naturally have given up the seat if Jang was interested.
However, it is good to allow Manjang and his cohorts to wallow in ignorance on the relationship between the former Governor and Senator I. D. Gyang, one who has distinguished himself in service to Plateau people in the Jang administration, as a Representative of Manjang’s Barki Ladi – Riyom Federal Constituency and as Senator for the Plateau North Senatorial Zone. Perhaps Manjang should contest and win an election before coming to talk about fear of defeat . Until then, he should enjoy his “political maraboutism” of insulting elders, all in search of what the stomach can get. It is obvious that Commissioner Dan Manjang suffers from dementia (not dimensia) and does easily forget that the person of Jonah David Jang commands more respect anywhere than that of Simon Bako Lalong.
You don’t compare apples with lemon; Jang is in a class of his own, while Lalong trails in some distant position. Now that it would seem the pyrrhic victory of the APC at the presidential election portends some good luck to Lalong, I guess that is what gives Manjang the temerity to say Lalong is not looser (sic loser). But in reality however, Lalong is not only a loser but a ‘loosing loser’. We are all here and will see how things turn out. We don’t want to pre-empt the “we told you” posture but at the appropriate time, things will pan out. May I also draw the attention to Manjang just in case he was too dull to notice that the President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in his acceptance speech did not consider it necessary to thank his almighty DG while he thanked all those that mattered to him.
Dan Manjang might be too dull to comprehend why)Is there a need to remind Manjang that Jang gained national prominence at a time when he and his master were nowhere near political power? He has successfully replicated the performance that gave him the well-deserved prominence in Plateau state hence the people trust him enough for guidance. The likes of Manjang should wallow in shame that after eight wasteful years, an attempt to go to the Senate was even allowed. In climes where performance is a measurement for how a person is graded, Lalong did not even deserve a place in the primaries. Alas! Where has the APC ever conducted primaries? Had seemingly neutral primaries conducted, would the candidates the party is presenting today ever emerge? The truth remains that Lalong’s dismal performance only provided the Plateau people an opportunity to hold a referendum on the APC. Trying to cover up the poor performance which has led to election loss in any kind of coating is a waste of time.
I pity my brother Manjang. The fear of imminent defeat on the part of his party has made them to latch on to anything at the moment for some face-saving opportunity. Which evidence does he want when it is obvious to any discerning minds how the election was rigged and the attendant legitimacy issues that accompany the issuance of a certificate of return without jubilation? If Manjang thinks that the election was not rigged, let him organise a carnival-like jubilation for the success of the presidential election to see if truly Nigerians are happy with the sham that only he and his ilk and their paymasters are happy about.
The commissioner must recognize that unlike his mates, former Governor Jang has written his name in gold in the hearts of plateau people and whatever way Manjang thinks he could use to denigrate a man who has distinguished himself in all his endeavours, would only end as an exercise in futility. He should pray that he becomes like Jang and earn himself some respect rather than being the lapdog of failed politicians who cannot boast to have achieved a quarter of what former Governor Jang achieved. It should not also be lost on Manjang that when it comes to issue of politics, Jang is not a neophyte like him who has never contested and won elections, he should be grateful to Jang who even gave him an opportunity in which he failed woefully to deliver on the responsibilities of the office and was eventually shown the way out. If he still harbours any grudge against Jang for booting him out of his administration, he should find consolation in the fact that he now has a place where mediocrity is assumed to be one of the hallmarks of progress. He should learn to continue to boot lick in peace than struggle to find cheap popularity by throwing unfounded jabs at former Governor Jonah David Jang.