Academic Staff Union of Plateau state University, Bokkos has cried out to the university’s stakeholders and the general public of the discriminatory and unlawful policy adopted by the university Management in the payment of October last month Salary to it’s workforce .
PLASU- ASUU Chairman and Secretary Dr Monday Hassan Zitta and Deme Bitrus in a press statement issued to newsmen in Jos on Wednesday and made available to Kwararafa Reporters, said It has come to their attention that the October salaries were disbursed selectively, with non-academic staff receiving their salaries while academic staff were excluded.
“This discriminatory approach adopted by the management raises concern about the university’s commitment to fair labour practices and the general welfare of its academic workforce”
They stated unequivocally that the management’s action runs contrary to Section 17(3) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which prohibits discrimination of Staff on any ground in the workplace and that citizens of Nigeria must not be subjected to any form of deprivation.
According to them, the University’s Management action is a flagrant disobedience and disrespect of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the extant Labours Act in Nigeria.
“This action is dangerous to our democracy and the rule of law and portends a bad example of a labour/management relationship if not quickly addressed.” they warned.
ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER, KALWA HOUSE, YAKUBU GOWON WAY, JOS.
19th November 2023
Following the victory of the Dr Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, the APC gubernatorial candidate at the Court of Appeal Tribunal in Abuja today, the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State has called on all its members to celebrate the victory with utmost modesty and decorum.
The Appeal Court had in a unanimous judgement this afternoon, nullified the election of the the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang mainly over the PDP’s LACK OF STRUCTURE and non adherence of Court Orders.
The Chairman of the APC in Plateau state, Hon. Rufus Bature who is highly elated by the Appeal Court’s ruling in favour of its party’s candidate, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, appealed to members and supporters of the APC in Plateau state to remain calm and refrain from any provocative acts that would affect the peace and tranquility of our beloved state.
According to the party Chairman, though the APC has emerged victorious after a lot of patience and respect for the sanctity of the Courts where it painstakingly appealed against the ruling if the first tribunal, the party is appealing to the PDP to call on its supporters to accept their loss in good faith and call on its members not to embark on anything that will lead to the breach of peace in the State.
According to the chairman, there is no victor and no vanquished as Plateau state and its people remain brothers and sisters who should work for the common good of the state.
The acrimony and disaffection which prevailed in the wake of appeals should be put behind us as Plateau state was reduced to a laughing stock which is most regrettable as our people are reputed to be peaceful and accommodating hence its being referred to as the Home of Peace and Tourism.
Hon Rufus called on security agencies in the state to be on red alert and vigilant to avert any acts of break down of law and order.
Hon. Rufus Bature commended the Court of Appeal Court Judges for their meticulous, impartial and very professional handling of the Appeal.
He congratulated its gubernatorial,. candidate, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda and his Deputy, Hon. Pam Bot Mang over their well- deserved Victory and commended their patience, tolerance and statesmanly disposition while the trials lasted.
He urged them to be magnanimous in victory and work earnestly towards uniting the state and its people regardless of religious or ethno- sectional considerations.
Signed:
Hon Sylvanus Namang, APC State Publicity Secretary
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has strongly condemned the baseless and defamatory allegations circulated by certain individuals, accusing judges of receiving a $5 million bribe for the nullification of his victory.
In an official statement released in Jos on Friday to newsmen and a copy made available to Kwararafa Reporters, Governor Mutfwang vehemently condemned the publication and attributed it to the deliberate actions of his detractors aimed at sowing discord between him and the esteemed judges and other constituted authorities.
Expressing his deep concern over the matter, Governor Mutfwang demanded for thorough investigations by security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the libelous publication.
He emphasized the need to ensure that these individuals face the full consequences of the law with a view to setting a precedence that discourages similar misconduct.
Governor Mutfwang unequivocally distanced himself from the false narrative, dismissing it as mere fabrications crafted by individuals who are being manipulated as pawns by the opposition party in Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang noted that the latest move is an attempt to tarnish the image of the PDP Government in the state, and pointed out that such malicious actions will not deter his commitment and confidence in the Judiciary.
Reaffirming his unwavering support for the judiciary, Governor Mutfwang warned those disparaging the justices and respected leaders, to desist from their destructive activities immediately or face the severe consequences of their actions.
The Coordinator of Caprecon International Development and Humanitarian Foundation, Mr. Dollin Wilson Ovaroh Holt, has expressed confidence in the upliftment of Nigeria in terms of breeding of good leaders and human development if proper reading culture is inculcated.
Speaking at the launch of a Book Club in Jos the Plateau State capitalin conjunction with the Women and Girl-Child Rescue Development Initiative (WGRDI) and the National Library of Nigeria, Jos, Mr Holt, said reading broadens ones mind and help in self-discovery and societal gains.
According to him, the book club is important to help boost positive thinking in the society, pointing out that it is going to make people grow as it has made him grow into whom he is today as a product of reading.
He said his foundation is a UK based non-profit organization with a branch in Nigeria, and that their mandate is education and training and personal development, under which, is the promotion of a reading culture.
“Our mandate is Education and Training and Personal Development, under which, is the promotion of a reading culture. We aim to inculcate in the mindset of our audience, young people mostly, the importance of reading as a tool for personal advancement and a means of broadening knowledge and thinking critically.
“It is our firm belief that good leaders must first become good readers. This underscores our desire to carry out projects aimed at such. In so doing, we intend to form a partnership with reputable organizations sharing our philosophy of reading as a vital platform for human advancement,” he said.
In her remarks, Head of Plateau State branch of the National Library, Mrs Sarah Emmanuel Mshelia, said the Book Club is a right step in a right direction as the idea will enhance teaching and learning environment.
She urged the club members whom she said have now also become book ambassadors to engage in research and write books, including historical ones that there are almost none even in Plateau.
Mshelia said establishing a book club at the state branches of the National Libraries is part of their mandate as a stipulation by their National Librarian witnessing their summer reading competition last year.
And thankfully, she said, they now have a Book Club on the Plateau, adding that there are also other extracurricular activities the club will be engaged in like scrabble, chess, different games, as well as reading and writing competition.
She urged the members of the club and relevant stakeholders to also write books, particularly books in local dialets which connect more with the people, but that such books are scarce.
The Library Head said their activities will also take reading and writing programmes to the grassroots and those in the hinterlands because by so doing they will impact more on the society and instill effective reading culture.
On her part, the Executive Director, Women and Girlchild Rescue and Development Initiative, Bridget Dakyes, said in the society today, on the social media space as well as in Plateau State, there is poor reading culture among young people and that needs to be addressed.
She said the importance of reading cannot be overemphasized, adding that parents should ensure that their wards read books, authors should write books with local content.
Dakyes said development cannot take place without people acquiring some form of knowledge through reading, but that books that the young ones should read are those that are contextual and they can relate with the stories/content.
She explained that although it is good to read books that will give one global understanding, but reading books that are mostly from the other part of the world will be more like fiction to the reader without much meaningful attachment. Hence the need for writing and reading of books with local content.
She said they have already mapped out action plan to move the Book Club forward, stressing that they will reach out to and engage with communities, organizations, schools, etc to deepen the reading culture for self and societal development.
Plateau Women in their hundreds on Wednesday staged road protest in Jos the Plateau state capital demanding justice for Governor Caleb Mutfwang ahead of this week Court of Appeal judgement on Plateau State governorship election tussle between Mutfwang and APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general election .
Plateau women defiled the cold weather on Wednesday in Jos Tincity to storm the popular secretariat junction fly-over demanding for Justice for Governor Caleb Mutfwang and 16 State House of Assembly members whose case are pending for determination before Court of Appeal Sitting in Abuja.
The demonstrating women were seen all dressed in black attire and holding fresh green leaves in their hands calling on the Court of Appeal Abuja to ensure that justice is served in the case of Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the APC Governorship candidate Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda.
Speaking while addressing the women, the former Minister of Water Resources Hon. Sarah Reng Ochekpe and PDP State women leader Mrs Martina Dakur said the case of Plateau calls for serious concern as similar cases like that of Lagos and other states from Southern states have been fairly treated by Court of Appeal Sitting in Lagos which ruled that cases such as that of Plateau is a pre-election matter.
“Infact one of the case there was disobedient to Supreme Court order but “the Court of Appeal in her wisdom said is a pre-election matter and the law is clear on that”.
“When it has to do with people from Plateau state, it will become both pre-election and post ele-election matters. So what are they telling us or is Plateau state not in Nigeria? The whole thing is so disheartening that is causing serious tension in the state as the mandate of the people are being taken away by the Court of Appeal.”
They also noted that the Judiciary which suppose to be the hope of the common man is now becoming some thing else while calling on the relevant authorities and those who want to steal the power of the people through the back doors to have a rethink.
According to them Plateau people will stand firm with governor Caleb Mutfwang and urge the Court of Appeal and the judiciary as a whole to do justice not injustice as was done to the elected Plateau federal lawmakers from the state.
Over the past weeks, the political landscape has witnessed a judicial tsunami that has swept away over nine federal lawmakers from their respective seats in a manner that has sent shock waves to their affected political parties.
The Court of Appeal had in their separate judgments sacked the affected lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly for different reasons.
Some of the affected lawmakers include Senators Elisha Abbo (APC Adamawa North); Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere (APC Kogi Central); Simon Mwadkwon (PDP Plateau North and Senate Minority Leader); Darlington Nwokocha; Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso and a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Jingi Rufai (Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha, Adamawa State).
But the judgment that has set many tongues wagging is the one involving the Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon, a Senator representing Plateau North on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Sen. Nwadkwon was the third Senator to be sacked by the court. It however, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to conduct a rerun within 90 days.
The three member panel of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgment held that Mwadkwon was not qualified to stand for an election as his party, the PDP, which nominated him during the election, had no structure to do so, having not complied with an earlier high court order for the party to conduct a proper state congress.
Justice E. Daudu, who read the lead judgment of the appellate court, held that the high court order was not fully complied with by the PDP as 12 LGAs didn’t participate in the said congress.
The same judgment was dished out for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency. This was because Labour Party came second for Senatorial election and PRP came second for Bassa/Jos North Election.
But the case was different for Shendam/Quanpan/Mikang Federal Constituency where the PDP victory was nullified and the certificate of return withdrawn and handed over to APC candidate who won in one out of 32 Federal Wards.
In all, four members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Plateau State, from the National Assembly, were sacked by the Court of Appeal based on a pre-election dispute.
The above judgments have raised controversy particularly within the PDP, which strongly believed that the subject matter before the court bordered squally on the issue of nomination and sponsorship of candidates by a political party, which they argued, rightly so, that is an internal affairs of the party and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the court.
This is because it’s an established principles of law that pre- election matters are purely internal affairs of political parties and opposition parties have no right to meddle into them.
Who is After Plateau State?
The Court of Appeal by departing from judicial principles regarding the issue of nomination/sponsorship of candidates, including Supreme Court decisions, has created fears and suspicion in the minds of people of Plateau that the state is being targeted by the powers that be, for political and selfish reasons.
The situation took a different dimension on Monday, November 13 when over 1,000 protesters stormed the Supreme Court to express their anger and concern over the issue.
Armed with a protest letter that was submitted to the Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the protesters under the aegies of Coalition for Justice in Africa, CJA, said their complaint is that the appellate court, by its judgment, thwarted the wish of electorates in Plateau state, when it declared candidates that lost the National Assembly elections that held on February 25, as winners of the legislative seats.
National President of the CJA, Dr. Daniel Okwa, stated that the judgment of the appellate court was capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in the state while accusing some chieftains of the APC of influencing the judgments and therefore, seek the intervention of the CJN.
The fear of the group and the PDP can be better understood within the context of the pending appeal by the APC before the same court challenging the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Already, arguments have been taken and judgment has been reserved to a date to be communicated to parties.
Speaking on its state of preparedness for the 2023 elections as well as developments after the polls, the PDP said it came out stronger and victorious from the shock of losing the 2015 and 2019 Governorship elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by putting in place the right and formidable party structure under the leadership of Hon. Chris Hassan.
The party carried out an in-house assessment after the 2019 General Elections and decided to conduct a fresh party congress in 2020, preparatory to the 2023 General Elections. At the congress, Hon. Chris Hassan defeated Hon. Bitrus Kaze to emerge the State Chairman of the party.
Hon. Kaze, who was dissatisfied with the outcome of the congress, challenged the emergence of Chris Hassan as the PDP Chairman at the State High Court, Jos, where Justice Gang passed judgment in favour of Kaze and ordered for the repeat of the State Congress.
The National Secretariat of the PDP disbanded the Chris Hassan Committee and set up a Caretaker Committee headed by Sen. Tunde Ogbeha.
Within this period, Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) had released a time table to conduct Local Government Elections in the state.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP conducted its primary elections and came up with the party’s Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates and submitted same to PLASIEC ahead of the Local Government elections. PLASIEC carried out its constitutional responsibility by screening and clearing all the PDP candidates to participate in the election.
But Hon. Bitrus Kaze wrote to the PLASIEC leadership and demanded the disqualification of all PDP candidates from participating in the 2021 Local Government elections. The letter was honoured and PLASIEC disqualified all PDP candidates from participating in the said elections which paved way for all APC candidates to automatically emerge as Chairmen and Councillors across the 17 Local Government Areas.
While the PDP dragged PLASIEC to Court to challenge the disqualification of the PDP candidates from participating in the local government elections, the National Working Committee of the PDP, in compliance to the court order, set up a congress committee headed by His Excellency, Prince Olusola Akanmode, with Hon. Dr. Sha’aban Ohinoyi, Mrs Chioma Nnaji, Audu-War Mathias as members while Kabiru Magaji served as secretary of the congress committee.
The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, was notified. He mobilized his men to provide security at the venue of the Congress. In addition, INEC witnessed, observed and monitored the repeated congress held at Langfield Event Centre, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State on the 25th of September, 2021 and issued a Report to that effect.
All the Plaintiffs/Judgment Creditors in the Suit, that is Hon. Bitrus Kaze and others, participated in the said congress held on September 25, 2021 which produced the current state Executive Committee headed by Hon. Chris Hassan, as Chairman of the Plateau State Chapter of the PDP.
The Congress was conducted peacefully, without rancour whatsoever, and all the aspirants, inclusive of the Plaintiffs/Judgment Creditors (Bitrus Kaze) were given ample opportunity to participate in the State Congress and Bitrus Kaze accepted the outcome in good faith and congratulated Hon. Chris Hassan for emerging the new Chairman of the party.
However, the State High Court, under Justice Kunda, entered Judgment in the PLASIEC case with PDP in favour of PLASIEC because there was no evidence before the court that the party had repeated the congresses in compliance with the Court order. The PDP proceeded to Appeal Court and after the repeat congress on September 25, 2021, the PDP withdrew its case at the Appeal Court.
Since then, none of those who participated in the repeated congress, including Bitrus Kaze, or any other member of the party, challenged the outcome of the repeated congress, having accepted the result in good faith and congratulated the winner.
At this point, PDP had a recognized and valid State Executive Committee of the party headed by Hon. Chris Hassan.
The PDP, in its determination to take over power in 2023, commenced the preparation for the 2023 general election where the National Working Committee released the guidelines for the election of the three adhoc delegates which was conducted by the PDP North Central Vice Chairman, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, with the exclusion of the State Executive Committee in line with the 2022 Electoral Act.
The party conducted its primaries peacefully from the State House of Assembly, the National Assembly and the Governorship primaries which produced Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
His emergence as the PDP flag bearer brought a sigh of relief to Plateau people due to his competent and renewed commitment to drive the peace and unity of the state. To many, including some members of the opposition, his emergence marked the beginning of PDP taking over the state in 2023.
Having put all these necessary structures in place, the PDP then boasted that as a law abiding and people- oriented party with human face in Plateau, it did what other political parties did not do by holding a state congress.
The PDP went further to accuse the APC of not holding a party congress, as what the APC did at Crest Hotel, Jos was a charade. It was seen as a tea party by commentators as it fell short of all democratic processes.
A chieftain of the PDP, who spoke on condition of anonymity said the genuine members of the party, who purchased forms to contest the election, such as Ishaya Itse and others, were disbanded from the party, leaving Rufus Bature, a man who did not purchase the party form, to contest the chairmanship position of the party unopposed.
This undemocratic action ended in litigations that questioned the integrity and credibility of the party to lead the state in 2023 coupled with the monumental failure of the APC government under Simon Lalong.
As if that is not enough, the APC repeated the same show of shame during the governorship primary election in June, 2022 held at Langfield Event Centre, Jos. The party, under Rufus Bature, teleguided the party delegates, with names of most of the delegates across the 17 local government areas changed to their political cronies.
This led to a massive protest from most of the aspirants who had purchased forms to contest the party’s primaries. Most of them, including the former Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, staged a walk out from the venue. That was how their rejected candidate during the polls was rejected by Plateau people.
At the National Assembly Election, the PDP won two Senatorial Seats and five Members of the House of Representatives, leaving APC with one Senate seat and three House of Representatives seat.
The PDP equally won the Governorship Election in the state overwhelmingly with 16 members of the House of Assembly out of 24 seats.
The victory of Governor Mutfwang was greeted with outbreak of spontaneous celebrations across the nooks and crannies of the 17 local government areas of the state. A lot of people believed that Governor Mutfwang’s victory was divine as his support cut across all ethnic and religious groups.
At this point, the APC worked hard to stop the inauguration that took place on the May 29, 2023. They followed through the Appeal Court to the Apex Court to thwart what God has destined but their effort was not fruitful. They were consoled with the saying that they will go to the tribunal and if victory is not given to them, they will retrieve all the positions at the Appeal Court.
However, when the Tribunal started, there were two panels for the National and the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal. One of the panels ruled in favour of the PDP that the party complied with the court order and repeated the party congresses while another ruled that the party violated the court order and has no valid structure to sponsor candidates for the 2023 elections.
ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER, KALWA HOUSE, YAKUBU GOWON WAY, JOS.
14th November, 2023.
Hon. Sylvanus Namang
Yesterday, 13th November, 2023, Plateau citizens woke up to a bizarre and brazen display of gross insensitivity by the Plateau state People’s Democratic Party where it shamelessly caused banners to be printed and displayed on the Plateau State Polytechnic Overhead Bridge in the centre of Jos describing some illustrious sons, including the Hon. Member Representing Pankshin/ Kanke/ Kanam, Hon. Yusufu Gagdi, Hon. Bitrus Kaze, a former Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Jos South/ Jos East and our well -respected daughter, Justice Monica Dongbam- Mensem as “Faces of Plateau Enemies”.
This is a continuation of the unprovoked acts of the party in the wake of the passage of judgement by the Appeal Court in Abuja, which in accordance with the law and precedents, upturned the pyrrhic victory of the PDP in the State based on its self- inflicted and flagrant disrespect of Court Orders on LACK OF STRUCTURE.
The All Progressives Congress in Plateau State takes very serious exception to this unfortunate display of rascality and abuse on the collective psyche of our people.
We see this as a deliberate attempt to plunge the state once again into the dark days of bloodletting in the name of desperate attempts to cling on to power at all cost in the face of its self-inflicted woes.
For the past two weeks now, we have been witnessing with amazement the macabre dance of the decrepit PDP through circuit shows on State and National Television stations, sponsored protests in Jos and Abuja ostensibly to coerce or cajole the judiciary into reversing itself which is a clear invitation to anarchy as the judiciary remains the bastion of our democracy.
We are worried that the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state would engage himself in these political summersaults. Last week, even when it was in the public domain that funds were released to mobilise some gullible youth, women who are struggling to eke a living due to their impoverished and harsh condition of living in the state and some professional thugs to protest against the judgments which are final. Unfortunately for them, the protest turned out to be a failed project as more judgements were passed against the PDP National Assembly candidates the following day. The governor came out to “condemn” the protest! which we see as mere face-saving.
Security agencies in the state must be commended for their professional conduct in handling the situation which was almost snowballing into a major crises as the protesters were marching to set the Appeal Court in Jos ablaze and damaging vehicles of unsuspecting road users.
Only yesterday, some hapless and sponsored Plateau youths under the aegis of a so-called ” Coalition For Truth and Justice in Africa” were shipped to Abuja and strategically dropped at by the Eagle Square and marched haggardly to the Supreme Court gates with their faces covered with posters to defy easy identification.
Just as the governor through his Director of Press and Publicity, Gyang Bere came out to casually condemn the Plateau Polytechnic inflammatory banner demonising our patriotic sons and daughter, he blamed the act on an “opposition party” in the state, an accusation which cannot pass the test of logic.The APC cannot for any reason engage in defaming its very own and our daughter which the state is proud of no matter what the PDP thinks.
These are certainly not good times for the people of Plateau state which the Peoples Democratic Party has held captive. Last weekend, for instance, all Bikers in this country were mobilised to Jos where they disrupted Jos residents’ sleep with all night displays.Their presence in the state cannot be a mere coincidence as we believe this is part of the futile attempt to mobilise support for the embattled Governor which the sword of justice in respect of his seat is staring him menacingly in the face.
This is, indeed, a season for making money in our beleaguered state as people with weird ideas on how to grab their shares of state funds including people who know the truth but would not come out to say it, are falling over each other. All other things especially the payment of workers salaries and retirees pension have been placed on halt as funds are only released to pursue the legal tussle which they have substantially lost out.
The APC is fully aware of the grand plan to mobilise protesters from all the 17 local government areas to Jos tomorrow 15th November, to stage a “mother of all protests” against the Appeal Court Judgements and the impending verdict on the Gubernatorial Appeal Petition.
We call on security agencies to be on red alert as there are invidious plans to disrupt the delicate tripod on which the peace of the state currently stands. We are dumbfounded by some postings on social media by some extremists in the PDP stating unprintable things to incite religious disharmony in our beloved state and calling for a military take- over because the PDP has dribbled itself out of power.
We are surprised by the litany of protests which they know would not yield any fruit as the law remains the law. We need to be reminded that in our holy books, laws are made to guide against its breakers and not for the righteous.
The serial protests sponsored by the PDP -led government are misdirected. It is against this backdrop that we call on the protesters to turn thier protests against its dishonest and deviant leaders who know the truth but would not come out to tell thier supporters.Those who lost their seats are victims of PDP internal contradictions which the PDP took PDP to court and a faction got judgement in its favour that the party did not conduct and acceptable Congress.The Court was magnanimous enough when Justice S. P. Gang of the Plateau High Court directed them to go back and conduct an all inclusive Congress since 2020 which a faction of the party refused to comply.
Its refusal to comply with the Court Judgment led the party from being denied participation in the 2021 Local Government Election and the loss of seat it won in the Jos North/Bassa rerun election at the tribunal in October 2022.
These serial disrespect of subsisting Court Orders which have put the PDP in the Zamfara way in 2019 which was exactly the same case as Plateau State CANNOT be blamed on APC which is a happy major beneficiary of its self – inflicted woes. In the same vein, the judiciary which it has disparaged by calling the Judges who are doing their work judiciously should not be blamed.
In fact, if the PDP continues on the path of this deviant behaviour of disobeying Court Orders, it has lost the 2024 Local Government Election and also the 2027 General Election in advance because as the judges in their well informed judgments have maintained at all levels that the party does not have a STRUCTURE and as such ” nothing can stand on nothing.” They even stated in categorical terms that all those who stood for elections under the PDP in Plateau state did so as Independent candidates which has no place in the 1999 constitution (as amended) As such their wrongs cannot be turned into “rights” no matter their ill informed agitations.
The Governor ought to be concerned about the many negative firsts he has recorded in his 200 days in office which include the organising of the 17 Local Government workers under NULGE to go on indefinite strike over the Inspector General of Police directive to open the Local Government Secretariat for Elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors to resume work, the organising of series of protests in the nation’s capital city of Abuja using state funds and more ridiculously the passage of the 2024 budget of over N300 Billion into law without any defence by the MDAs, passage into law a supplementary budget of 27 Billion and a loan of N1.5 Billion all under one hour! Where is the place of holding power in trust for the people in all these embarrassing scenarios?
The PDP has tasted enough the will of the people of Plateau state under a so-called Plateau heritage which is the interest of its sole administrator. Nobody except the faction that went to court and got the Judgements which have become the bane of the party can question him.Hero worshipping has no place in democracy.
The gullible supporters need to know this fact and refrain from overheating the polity and allow peace to reign.Their posters, banners and anger should be directed at their leader(s) for refusal to tell them the truth and nothing but the truth. Until this is done, the party would continue to float in self-delusion.
Signed:
Hon. Sylvanus Namang, APC State Publicity Secretary.
The leadership crisis over the seat of APC Party Chairman in Plateau state is not yet over as Ishaya Itse is claiming to be the authentic Chairman of the party on the Plateau.
Itse describes Rufus Bature led Chairman in the state as an imposter and Illegal .
He warned Bature to stop parading himself as the party Chairman in Plateau state.
Itse told newsmen in Jos on Monday that the kangaroo party primaries that was conducted by Hon Bature group which produced Dr Nentawe as Plateau governorship governorship candidate for 2023 polls was illegal and null and void as that so called governorship primaries doesn’t exist in the eyes of the law.
He Commended the Immediate past Governor of the state now Minister of labour and employment, Simon Bako Lalong , John Daafan, and others over their victory at the court of Appeal Abuja and Commended the jurists that delivered the judgements,describing them as fearless having passed the Judgements with human face irrespective of whose ox is gored.
He cautioned APC family on the Plateau not to celebrate the victories at the Appeal Court against PDP on the ground that Plateau APC is still having plethora of court litigations especially on his Petition which he filed on “Motion on Notice” dated 9th November 2023 that had already been served on the Respondents, Rufus Bature, APC and other parties in the matter.
Itse said he would stop at nothing in pursuing the injustice meted on him and his authentic Exco’s through the instrumentality of the court to it’s logical conclusion and to ensure justice is done
Itse called on his supporters to remain calm and be focused as Justice shall surely be delivered in their favor at the end of the day.
It would be recalled that Ishaya Itse ,the Factional Chairman of APC in Plateau state has challenged the Congress that produced Rufus Bature as Party Chairman in court as he claims to remain authentic Party Chairman on the Plateau.
Plateau APC: Primaries That Produce Dr. Nentawe As Guber Candidate Is Illegal- Itse Factional Chairman.
*. Files Motion On Notice At Appeal Court.
Okwuta Audu Jos.
The leadership crisis over the seat of APC Party Chairman in Plateau state is not yet over as Ishaya Itse is claiming to be the authentic Chairman of the party on the Plateau.
Itse describes Rufus Bature led Chairman in the state as an imposter and Illegal .
He warned Bature to stop parading himself as the party Chairman in Plateau state.
Itse told newsmen in Jos on Monday that the kangaroo party primaries that was conducted by Hon Bature group which produced Dr Nentawe as Plateau governorship governorship candidate for 2023 polls was illegal and null and void as that so called governorship primaries doesn’t exist in the eyes of the law.
He Commended the Immediate past Governor of the state now Minister of labour and employment, Simon Bako Lalong , John Daafan, and others over their victory at the court of Appeal Abuja and Commended the jurists that delivered the judgements,describing them as fearless having passed the Judgements with human face irrespective of whose ox is gored.
He cautioned APC family on the Plateau not to celebrate the victories at the Appeal Court against PDP on the ground that Plateau APC is still having plethora of court litigations especially on his Petition which he filed on “Motion on Notice” dated 9th November 2023 that had already been served on the Respondents, Rufus Bature, APC and other parties in the matter.
Itse said he would stop at nothing in pursuing the injustice meted on him and his authentic Exco’s through the instrumentality of the court to it’s logical conclusion and to ensure justice is done
Itse called on his supporters to remain calm and be focused as Justice shall surely be delivered in their favor at the end of the day.
It would be recalled that Ishaya Itse ,the Factional Chairman of APC in Plateau state has challenged the Congress that produced Rufus Bature as Party Chairman in court as he claims to remain authentic Party Chairman on the Plateau.
A University Don,Prof. Edward Ossai, of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Plateau State University, Bokkos, has urged governments at all levels to support film and video production.
Professor Ossai, made the appeal at the opening of a 3-day Jos Community Film Festival (JOSFFEST) tagged: “Voice for the voiceless”, .
Professor Ossai said his call was with a view to promoting youth empowerment to curb crime and reduce unemploment.
The Don,also reiterated the need for youth development in the country, saying the Film Festival was a way of taking youths off the streets, and giving them a chance at a better life.
He, however, noted that individuals could not do it alone without the support of government.
“As one who deals with youths on a daily basis, when I saw the number of talented youths in this state without means of livelihood, and who are gradually drifting towards crime, I was moved to create a means of expression and livelihood for them through film production.
“I thought to myself, the industry has about 120 areas where they can specialise, so I said why not create a means through which they can express themselves as specialists in the industry.
“Through this, they can gain expertise, express themselves and primarily earn a living; theatre and film production is one area where all of these can be achieved.
“The truth is no individual can do this by themselves without the support of government, I therefore use this opportunity to call on government at all levels to support such causes so we can take this children off the streets and give them dignity. “Governance should be about responsibility and responsiveness towards the people,” Ossai said.
The don therefore, urged the youths not to give up on their dreams and resort to crime, no matter how difficult life could get.
“I want to encourage them to bring out those hidden talents so that they can be tapped into. If you don’t come out, nobody will know what you have inside. “So come out rather than hide behind lack of support or tags of laziness. Believe in yourselves, show your talents through platforms and opportunities being provided today,” Ossas admonished.
Also speaking at the event, His Royal Highness, Adagwom Peter Nyam, Traditional leader of Tudun-Wada Community, on behalf of other benefitting communities, thanked the organisers for the opportunity given to the youths. Nyam prayed for sustainability of such programmes to help in addressing unemployment, crime and other vices in the communities.
Sunday Independent reports that line up of the event includes film screening, film production, directing, lightening, sound, costumes/makeup, and other talents hunt.
Kwararafa Reporters 