Author Archives: Oracle/Kwararafa Newspapers

_A Rejoinder to Dasuki Nakande’s diatribe against Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong.

By Rt. Hon. Baba Akawu

In politics, nothing is shocking and impossible particularly when people are contesting for a position, working to achieve a set target or assiduously fighting over an interest. However, sometimes shocking things surface in politics when people vomit hatred for people they perceive as political enemies or are deceived to think they have come of age and can malign and pull down people they have no comparism with in terms of political accomplishments. That is the story of Dasuki Nakande, a former Minister of State who came up with a toxic concoction against Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong with a view to damaging him politically. His problem is that Lalong, whose name has been all over the country as likely choice for Vice President, should not be picked by Tinubu as running mate.

In the write up, Nakande completely lost his sense of reasoning to the point that he arrogated himself powers he does not possess of speaking for the Muslim Community in Jos as well as allocating himself fictitious votes that he gave APC standard bearer Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the just concluded Presidential primaries. In all his castigation of Governor Lalong, Dasuki who is obviously sponsored ended up shooting himself on the foot and rubbishing his claim of being from Plateau State and a member of the APC or its Elders Forum.

Dasuki’s first faulty claim was that Asiwaju Tinubu was not the choice of Governor Lalong, but rather of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi which made Governor Lalong to stop Tinubu from coming to Plateau to meet delegates. This is a blatant lie that he wants to feed the gullible with at all costs. Unknown to Dasuki, Governor Lalong has been in touch with Asiwaju throughout the period of consultations and indeed had face to face interactions with him on several occasions. Arrangements for the visit of Asiwaju to Plateau were made and finalized but due to tight schedule of the Jagaban, they kept changing and shifting until it was not feasible again. In all this, Asiwaju never told anyone (not even the weeping Dasuki) that Lalong stopped him from coming to meet Plateau delegates. One then wonders why he is crying more than the bereaved.

On the relationship between Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Lalong, the writer wasted precious time trying to establish their long standing relationship and fraternity which started many years ago when they were Speakers. Has Asiwaju told Nakande that he does not know their friendship or does not appreciate their loyalty to one another? Does he think Jagaban takes friendship and loyalty lightly or suffers traitors like him who will spew out venom against his Governor simply because of hatred or being sponsored by enemies of Plateau? On the contrary, Tinubu knows more about Lalong and Amaechi than Nakande and respects that relationship just as he would expect others to do to him. He has no grudges against Lalong or any other person including those who contested against him in the APC primaries. He has said this severally right from his victory speech at Eagle Square and has proven it by visiting most of those that contested against him. Dasuki will not hear about this and in his hatred, forgot that Lalong was neither an Aspirant nor a Delegate.

One also wonders where he came up with the falsehood that Lalong is claiming he worked for Tinubu. Where is the evidence of that claim? Rather, it is Nakande that should tell the world when, how and where he and others (Amos Gizo, Paullen Tallen, Alphonsus Komsol) gave votes to Tinubu in a Convention they were neither delegates nor part of stakeholders that prepared for the event. It is a miracle to hear that people who lost elections in the past and recently are claiming to be the ones dashing votes to Asiwaju at a national convention. Besides, aside from Hon. Komsol, these are people that have never won an election into any office. They have rather been fortunate to lobby and get appointments. Perhaps this is what they are cleverly positioning themselves for future appointments by deriding and castigating their Governor with the hope that Tinubu will appoint them when he wins. Must you pull down someone to grow? Who tells him that Lalong will not work for the victory of Tinubu and the APC in the general elections? Even those who contested and lost have pledged to work for the party, what more of Lalong who did not vie for the ticket?

Any right-thinking person will shade tears in disgust by the effrontery of Nakande to assert that Lalong should not be picked as Vice President running mate because he is not a leader who believes in justice and fairness and that he has not restored peace to Plateau State. He also claims that Lalong has not appointed many Muslims into his cabinet nor done projects in Hausa-Muslim Community. In short he accused Lalong of marginalizing and oppressing the Muslim Community in Jos. Haba Dasuki! Are you alright? Is it the same Lalong that is being vilified for allegedly “mortgaging Plateau to the Caliphate” or is it another Lalong we don’t know about?

To say that Lalong has marginalised any part of Plateau based on ethnicity or religion is the height of insensitivity and bigotry oozing from someone who has served at the Federal Executive Council. Contrary to these false assertions, the Hausa-Muslim community in Jos has never had it so good like under the Lalong Government where they are carried along in appointments, projects distribution and day to day running of Government. For the records, there are Muslim Commissioners in the State Cabinet; 2 Deputy Chiefs of Staff Government House (both Muslims); several heads of MDAs and Permanent Secretaries, Advisers and Special Assistants. If not for mischief, why has Dasuki never complained about this so-called marginalization until now that he senses that Governor Lalong is likely to be made the Running mate for Tinubu?

One is not surprised because Dasuki is an Abuja-based politician who has lost touch with home and does not know what is happening. He has mixed his hatred for Lalong with bitterness over his inability to win the APC ticket into the House of Representatives after several attempts or even secure Councillorship seat for his son. He also contested for the post of APC Party Secretary and lost woefully. Bringing Lalong into the recent bye election for Bassa/Jos North House of Representatives Constituency which some members of the APC worked against the party and gave victory to the PDP is very disheartening. Dasuki who participated in the anti-party activity is now the self-acclaimed “arrowhead” of protecting the APC at the Eagle Square during the Presidential Primaries where he was not close to the venue.

Again, Dasuki makes a caricature of himself when he claims that it is unpatriotic to begin to talk of religion or region as a selling point for leadership rather than merit. Ha! Is this not the same person using religion to claim Governor Lalong is marginalizing the “Hausa-Muslim Community”? Did he not allege that Lalong meddled in the Bassa/Jos North Reps elections to deny the “Hausa-Muslims” the chance to occupy the position? Why is he speaking from both sides of the mouth about merit and equity/justice? When it is convenient for him, he is and advocate for equity, fairness and justice. When he hears the news that same considerations could make Lalong the running mate for Asiwaju bola Tinubu, he recoils and embraces merit. But the good news is that Governor Lalong qualifies for not only the post of the VP, but even the President of Nigeria based on merit and equity, justice and fairness.   

Lest Dasuki deceives the gullible and poisons the minds of right thinking Nigerians against Governor Simon Bako Lalong, let us educate him and his sponsors on why the APC Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be coasting home to victory with Lalong as his running mate.

1.   Lalong has never lost an election since 1999. He contested for House of Assembly and won. He was re-elected and served as Speaker for 7 years (the longest in the history of Plateau State).

2.   He survived a complete Recall process defeating the Federal Might of Chief Obasanjo regime.

3.   He is loyal to the core and does not betray people. He endured pressure, money and even went to jail for refusing to carry out sham impeachment of former Governor Dariye. Tinubu will need a loyal VP!

4.   He is the Chairman of the 19 Northern Governors and the first Christian to hold that position (he did not campaign for it but was unanimously chosen by his colleagues).

5.   He was the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of Houses of Assembly.

6.   He is the current Chairman, Conference of Former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (COFFSHA).

7.   He is a humble, tolerant and God fearing leader who does not discriminate against anybody or group based on religion, ethnicity or other parochial sentiments.

8.   He has served as Governor of Plateau State for 7 years.

9.   He restored peace to Plateau State and brought back businesses and investments to the State.

10.                   He is the one who led the 13 APC Northern Governors to the President and APC Chairman to insist on power shift to the South despite the attempts by some interests to retain power in the North.

11.                   He has never campaigned to be Vice President and is not desperate.

12.                   He has worked hard for the APC and successfully led Campaigns that delivered victory for the party in Governorship elections such as Ondo State.

13.                   Of all the names being touted among Northern Christians, no one has his rich experience.

14.                   The North Central Region deserves such position in the interest of equity, justice and fairness as it has never held that office.

15.                   He has wide acceptability and respect in the whole Northern Region and other parts of the country.

16.                   He has won the APC ticket to contest for the Plateau South Senatorial Seat.

With these few points, I advise our Party’s flag bearer Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard the ranting of inconsequential people like Dasuki who cannot win a Councilor seat or deliver their polling unit, but trying to desperately look for cheap popularity and access to power by running down highly accomplished personalities like Governor Simon Bako Lalong whose popularity continues to soar. If the Dasuki and his cohorts are interested in becoming running mates to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, they should concentrate on pursuing that ambition and not make a mockery of themselves through frivolity. Leave Governor Simon Lalong alone please!

Rt. Hon. Baba Akawu former Deputy Majority Leader, Federal House of Representatives (1983) writes from Jos.

Gentlemen of the Press,

We have been forced to invite you for yet another press conference to update you on the recent happenings in the State chapter of our great party the APC.

You may recall that on Monday 9th May, 2022 we had addressed you over the happenings in the party as preparations were going on to select a standard flag bearer as APC candidate in the state and in the release we raised fundamental issues that are capable of derailing the fortune of APC to the state if not addressed.

The issues raised bordered on lack of sincerity, hijack of the selection process of candidate by the Governor and his family members, No level playing ground for all aspirants etc.

These warnings manifested when party officials, Local Government Chairmen and commissioners were directed to work and return Dr. Nentawe Yilwada or risk losing their positions.

Our press conference was supported by the APC Elders Advisory Council laid by Mr. Danladi Wuyep the acting Chairman and Equity and Justice Forum led by Barr. Oumar Shittien who reminded H.E Governor Simon Bako Lalong of being a beneficiary of a protest of imposition by Governor Jonah Jang and wondered why he has forgotten so soon. Plateau people had thrown their weight against any form of imposition of candidate so Governor Lalong’s case cannot be an exception.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong and the party had been warned of not playing to avoid the repeat of Zamfara and Rivers State primaries in 2019 which made them to completely got aged out, the same scenario if not worse is being played in all the APC primaries in the state.

We wrote to the National Chairman on the 25th May, 2022 complaining of no delegates election in any ward in the state and we have delegates forms paid and supplied by the party uptill this time there is no information
about the delegates election. We were informed that the expired party congresses delegates will be adopted for the governorship primaries which we objected that it was contrary to the provision of the electoral act and the party guideline. Even the expired adhoc delegates continued to have alterations at the venue of the primaries and the final list was not made known to aspirants to even campaign for votes. Only to have arranged people queuing for election as delegates with tags even those from our local wards were not known to us.

The venue was over taken by government officials to safe their appointments, all the Local Government Chairmen and Government appointees who were not delegated yet they were more in the hall than the delegates.

The exercise started with accreditation of Qua’an Pan delegates and voting followed immediately with all the delegates being illiterates that they cannot write and they gave all their ballot papers to the agents of Dr. Nentawe Yilwada to cast their votes and it was followed by Langtang South Local Government who went the same way. It was at this point we all walked out in protest.

We have written and appeal to the appeal committee for a redress of this fraud to save the APC on the Plateau.

Our grounds of appeal are as follows:

1. That we are registered members of the All Progressive Congress
   Party.
2. That our membership in the party is over the mandatory requirement of 12 months
3. That we obtained and submitted the prescribed form to contest in the gubernatorial primaries of our Party after paying the mandated fees into one of the party’s accredited Bank.
4. That we all have obtained far beyond the required minimum educational qualification for the position.
5. That there was no delegate election and the list of delegates was
   constantly being amended with the last change effected on the day of the primaries.
6. That the delegates were sequestered by political appointees as well as Local Government Chairmen.
7. That during the primaries, unauthorized persons were in the venue to intimidate and follow up delegate votes.
8. That the whole process was not in consonance with the APC Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Elections, The All Progressive Congress Constitution (October 2014 As AMENDED) as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(As Amended).

STATEMENT OF FACTS

We all had identical experiences as it concerned preparations for the primaries. Delegates became a mirage and could not be identified.

Rather than conducting delegate elections to produce delegates that would vote in the primaries, information reached us that the delegates that elected the State Officers of the Part were going to be adopted as delegates for the primaries. Strange as that was, we could not work to garner votes from delegates as the list kept changing even until the day of the primaries. Suffice to say that we all had no list of delegates will date.

Attempts to find out who the delegates were and to reach them was almost impossible as they were accommodated by Local Government Chairmen as well as political appointees who kept personal watch over them hindering us from having access to them.

Worthy of note is the fact that contrary to Article 28 of the guidelines, these Local Government chairmen and political appointees who had no business in the venue of the primaries were allowed entry to immediate and facilitate votes unjustly.

The over 80% of the delegates literally handed over their ballot paper to the agent of the purported winner who filed in what he wanted as their votes.

That contrary to Article 3(j) of the guidelines, the purported winner who until has recent resignation from the Independent National Electoral
Commission, is a member of the party for only 4 months and some days now making him ineligible to contest the gubernatorial primaries.

Being that we are loyal members of this great party with no intention of flouting our laws and running a parallel agenda so as not to jeopardize the state and national interest of this party in the 2023 general elections.
RELIEFS SOUGHT:

1. A declaration that the Gubernatorial primaries held on the 26/5/22 that returned Dr. Nentawe Yilwada is not in consonance with the APC Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Elections, The All Progressive Congress Constitution (October 2014
   AS AMENDED) as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
   Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
2. A declaration that the Gubernatorial primaries held on the 26/5/22 is null and void and liable to be set aside.
3. An Order for review of congresses from the ward level upwards for the proper election of delegates to participate in another primaries to produce a credible candidate.

SIGNED:

DR. DANYARO DAKON SARPIYA
Secretary of forum of Plateau APC Governorship Aspirants

Gentlemen of the Press,

We have been forced to invite you for yet another press conference to update you on the recent happenings in the State chapter of our great party the APC.

You may recall that on Monday 9th May, 2022 we had addressed you over the happenings in the party as preparations were going on to select a standard flag bearer as APC candidate in the state and in the release we raised fundamental issues that are capable of derailing the fortune of APC to the state if not addressed.

The issues raised bordered on lack of sincerity, hijack of the selection process of candidate by the Governor and his family members, No level playing ground for all aspirants etc.

These warnings manifested when party officials, Local Government Chairmen and commissioners were directed to work and return Dr. Nentawe Yilwada or risk losing their positions.

Our press conference was supported by the APC Elders Advisory Council laid by Mr. Danladi Wuyep the acting Chairman and Equity and Justice Forum led by Barr. Oumar Shittien who reminded H.E Governor Simon Bako Lalong of being a beneficiary of a protest of imposition by Governor Jonah Jang and wondered why he has forgotten so soon. Plateau people had thrown their weight against any form of imposition of candidate so Governor Lalong’s case cannot be an exception.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong and the party had been warned of not playing to avoid the repeat of Zamfara and Rivers State primaries in 2019 which made them to completely got aged out, the same scenario if not worse is being played in all the APC primaries in the state.

We wrote to the National Chairman on the 25th May, 2022 complaining of no delegates election in any ward in the state and we have delegates forms paid and supplied by the party uptill this time there is no information
about the delegates election. We were informed that the expired party congresses delegates will be adopted for the governorship primaries which we objected that it was contrary to the provision of the electoral act and the party guideline. Even the expired adhoc delegates continued to have alterations at the venue of the primaries and the final list was not made known to aspirants to even campaign for votes. Only to have arranged people queuing for election as delegates with tags even those from our local wards were not known to us.

The venue was over taken by government officials to safe their appointments, all the Local Government Chairmen and Government appointees who were not delegated yet they were more in the hall than the delegates.

The exercise started with accreditation of Qua’an Pan delegates and voting followed immediately with all the delegates being illiterates that they cannot write and they gave all their ballot papers to the agents of Dr. Nentawe Yilwada to cast their votes and it was followed by Langtang South Local Government who went the same way. It was at this point we all walked out in protest.

We have written and appeal to the appeal committee for a redress of this fraud to save the APC on the Plateau.

Our grounds of appeal are as follows:

1. That we are registered members of the All Progressive Congress
   Party.
2. That our membership in the party is over the mandatory requirement of 12 months
3. That we obtained and submitted the prescribed form to contest in the gubernatorial primaries of our Party after paying the mandated fees into one of the party’s accredited Bank.
4. That we all have obtained far beyond the required minimum educational qualification for the position.
5. That there was no delegate election and the list of delegates was
   constantly being amended with the last change effected on the day of the primaries.
6. That the delegates were sequestered by political appointees as well as Local Government Chairmen.
7. That during the primaries, unauthorized persons were in the venue to intimidate and follow up delegate votes.
8. That the whole process was not in consonance with the APC Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Elections, The All Progressive Congress Constitution (October 2014 As AMENDED) as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(As Amended).

STATEMENT OF FACTS

We all had identical experiences as it concerned preparations for the primaries. Delegates became a mirage and could not be identified.

Rather than conducting delegate elections to produce delegates that would vote in the primaries, information reached us that the delegates that elected the State Officers of the Part were going to be adopted as delegates for the primaries. Strange as that was, we could not work to garner votes from delegates as the list kept changing even until the day of the primaries. Suffice to say that we all had no list of delegates will date.

Attempts to find out who the delegates were and to reach them was almost impossible as they were accommodated by Local Government Chairmen as well as political appointees who kept personal watch over them hindering us from having access to them.

Worthy of note is the fact that contrary to Article 28 of the guidelines, these Local Government chairmen and political appointees who had no business in the venue of the primaries were allowed entry to immediate and facilitate votes unjustly.

The over 80% of the delegates literally handed over their ballot paper to the agent of the purported winner who filed in what he wanted as their votes.

That contrary to Article 3(j) of the guidelines, the purported winner who until has recent resignation from the Independent National Electoral
Commission, is a member of the party for only 4 months and some days now making him ineligible to contest the gubernatorial primaries.

Being that we are loyal members of this great party with no intention of flouting our laws and running a parallel agenda so as not to jeopardize the state and national interest of this party in the 2023 general elections.
RELIEFS SOUGHT:

1. A declaration that the Gubernatorial primaries held on the 26/5/22 that returned Dr. Nentawe Yilwada is not in consonance with the APC Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Elections, The All Progressive Congress Constitution (October 2014
   AS AMENDED) as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
   Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
2. A declaration that the Gubernatorial primaries held on the 26/5/22 is null and void and liable to be set aside.
3. An Order for review of congresses from the ward level upwards for the proper election of delegates to participate in another primaries to produce a credible candidate.

SIGNED:

DR. DANYARO DAKON SARPIYA
Secretary of forum of Plateau APC Governorship Aspirants

By Filibus Edwards & Abdulwahab Abdulkarim

Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum, the Chief Executive Officer of the institute of Human Virology, Abuja Nigeria, leader of the consolidation for Greater Plateau 2023 Team as well as the All Progressive Congress (APC) Plateau State Gubernatorial Favourite has won the four days opinion polls conducted by the Plateau Progressives Youth network (PPYN) with 16,718 votes to beat his closest rival Dr Nentawe Yilwatda with 14,953 votes.

Dr Patrick Dakum scored 16, 718 votes out of the 36,244 total votes representing 46.1%, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda with 14,953 votes represents 41.3%, Mr Sunday Biggs came third with 2,274 votes which represents 6.3%, Prof Sonni Tyoden scored 1,929 votes representing 5.3% in that order.

Dr Patrick Dakum has won about nine other opinion polls conducted by other groups both on the social media, Twitter and Instagram. He has of late received numerous distinguished merit awards from respected organizations both within the secular and the faith based organisations.

The PPYN while declaring Dr Patrick the winner of the online poll, appreciated those who participated and disclosed that the results have shown that the winner, Dr Patrick Dakum is recommended as the preferred,trusted and competent aspirant of the ruling APC in the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries slated for the 26th May, 2022.

The Youth Network posited that Dr Patrick Dakum’s honest pragmatic and hopeful insight into the problems of the State, needs and willingness to examine issues and listen closely to public concern,Dr Patrick Dakum far apart from other aspirants expected techniques and talk.

The opinion poll by the Plateau Progressives Youth Network with over 36,244 respondents is by far,wider and more acceptable to the poll by Plateau Indigenous Development Association (PIDAN) made up of 53 Nationalities with Nentawe scoring 193 votes, Dakas scoring 186, Dakum scoring 154, Tyoden scoring 138, Biggs scoring 113, and Latep scoring 103 in that order.

Pertinent questions begging for answers are what methods of research was used by PIDAN?Who were the respondents?How were the figures generated?Will the results be acceptable with Government appointees conducting the polls?Will 500 respondents be better than 36,244 respondents?

With disclaimers here and there, Plateau delegates are urged to disregard phantom opinion polls and calls for imposition by Government officials and vote Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum, a well known Mentor of Mentors, Philanthropist,a God fearing man, a Development Expert, International Scholar, a Good Family man,the Home Front Czar, Sunday School Teacher,Church Worker,Council member to various tertiary institutions, Chairman Daily Walk With Christ Committee etc,etc.

Ogunewa Otubi Jos.

A Jos based Political pressure group” Plateau yeans for Osinbanjo 2023′ has called on APC delegates to cast their Votes for VP Osibanjo at the forth coming presidential Primaries of All Progresive Congress.

Convener of the group Bishop Jonas katung made this appeal during Press Conference in Jos to drum support for VP Presidential ambition.

He described the vice President as someone who served his principal meritoriously without any blemish for the past seven years.

According to him VP Osinbanjo is knowledgeable, intellectual experienced, loyal and someone who has been groomed over the years not only because of his brilliance but his desire to see positive change is second to none .

polity .
Bishop katung is the founder of The Living Stone Assembly International further stressed that most of educated Nigerians and uneducated believes that if given the opportunity Osinbanjo will not only bring the people together but will touch many lives positively than what previous Nigerian leaders have done in the past .

He added that most people comes around because they want to get something either to get more wealthy, use the position to get more properties as it has been the attitude of most of them but that the desire of the VP is just to serve the people of Nigeria
and to put things correctly in the

He said as VP Osinbanjo when he was given opportunity to serve as acting president of the country while his principal, president mohammadu Buhari was away abroad for medical treatment, Osinbanjo was able to manage the troubles and challenges at that time in a matured manner as Buhari gave him a free hand to run the business of governance of the country .

Katung said ” Osinbanjo took many decisions and made appointments that were hailed by Nigerians especially on the confirmation of the appointment of former chief judge of the federation who was serving in acting capacity before his confirmation was made by Osibanjo”

He added that Nigerians needs a leader that is decisive in taking action when the need arises devoid of religion and ethnicity.

Katung said Osinbanjo acceptance cut across the country when he formally declared his intension to run for the 2023 presidential race.

Ogwugwu Onoja Jos

The Technical Committee, of the Atiku support group has denied denied report by a section of the media, parti cularly some bloggers, that Media men were prevented from covering former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar’s consultations
with delegates of the Plateau state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Leader of the technical committee saddled with the realisation of Vice President Atiku Abubakar ‘s 2023 Presidential Aspiration , Raymond Dokpesi, in a statement issued and made available to Daily Independent in Jos,said the Frontline PDP Presidential Aspirant could not have directed that the media be shut out of the event due to the respect he has for the media and its role.

Dokpesi, explained that what occurred was that on arrival at the Plateau state PDP secretariat in Jos where the former Vice President was to meet with delegates as part of his consultation ahead of the May 28th PDP National convention, it was obvious that Journalists already seated in the hall outnumbered the delegates whom he was in the state to meet, resulting in the party members being left standing outside the hall.

As a result of this, the presidential aspirant pleaded that the media excuse the meeting, and return for interviews after the consultation.

The chairman of the Technical committee while appreciating journalists also cautioned against false narratives, and what he called deliberate moves today blackmail the person of Atiku Abubakar, must be discountenanced by the public.Chief Dokpesi appealed.

---

SIMON BAKO LALONG @ 59: REDIFINING GOVERNANCE THROUGH PATRIOTISM, VISION AND PEACE

By Makut Simon Macham

The story behind the political journey of Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum cannot be fully comprehended without looking closely at his upbringing and early childhood which is a story of grass-to-grace fashioned in resilience, hardwork, humility, trustworthiness, team-spirit and forgiveness. Those who know him from the glitter of the offices he has held including the current one as Governor may think of him as someone who has always been privileged or raised with a silver spoon. For others who have known him in the last 59 years, Simon Bako Lalong is a product of God’s grace and the determination of a man to use his gifts and talents to overcome all limitations around him. Lalong has spoken severally of being raised in the then rural village of N’yak also known as Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government to poor parents who had little to offer him and his siblings for a bright future. To make matters worse, losing his father early in life meant that the burden of leadership fell on him prematurely being the first born. Nevertheless, he took up the challenge and submitted himself to God and the discipline of his Uncle and benefactors who took him to Shendam where he continued his education and gradually blossomed amidst difficulties. Through God’s help, he successfully passed through all levels of education to acquire a Law Degree from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. This opened the doors of glory to him. It is also important to point out the impact of education and the Church in the life of Simon Bako Lalong who tells everyone that the secret of his success and outlook in life is rooted in the Catholic Doctrines inculcated in him very early in life which have shaped his mind about people and service. Many testify to his easy going nature and capacity for love, forgiveness, honesty, compassion, self-control, humility among others which are enumerated in the Holy Bible as the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). This foundational attributes boosted by experience and exposures have continued to define him since he joined politics. Before seeking political office, Simon Bako Lalong demonstrated his passion for service through many youth, cultural and professional bodies. These include Assistant Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, Plateau State Chapter; National President of Goemai Youth Movement; Youth Activist and one of the leaders within the Plateau Youth Council many years ago. These responsibilities espoused his competence and thus made it easy for the people to trust him with leadership when in 1999, he contested and won election into the Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Shendam Constituency. Within one year in the House, having served as Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary; Member, House Committee on Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Public Accounts/Petition and Agriculture, he emerged Speaker and successfully served for 7 years – the longest so far in the political history of the State. Although his tenure as Speaker was not without challenges, Lalong displayed the earlier enumerated attributes of resilience, truth and justice when he held on strong in the face of political tyranny and Federal Might that saw him being illegally removed and his seat declared vacant. Because he stood on truth and justice, his Recall from the House of Assembly failed woefully while his purported impeachment was upturned by the courts later. In the face of these challenges, his tenure as Speaker is praised for passing the Laws establishing Plateau State University, Bokkos (an institution he brought back to life after it was shut down by the Jang administration); College of Agriculture Garkawa; College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Kurgwi; Bills on Creation of additional/new Chiefdoms, Districts and State Electoral Wards, as well as Bill on establishment of structures in Local Government Councils. As Speaker, he endeared himself to fellow Speakers across the 36 states in Nigeria and was elected twice as Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers from 2001-2002. Today, he is the National Chairman, Conference of Former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly (COFSSHA). Despite his travails and suffering as Speaker for refusing to carry out an illegal impeachment of the then Governor of Plateau State Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye, Governor Lalong maintained absolute calm and embraced his ordeal with equanimity, leaving vengeance to God rather than attempting to take his pound of flesh even when he eventually emerged Governor in 2015. Putting his foundational attributes of love, forgiveness, honesty, compassion, self-control, and humility to work, he faced Governance head-long rather than dissipating energy fighting perceived enemies. Little wonder, from 2015 when he took over the as Governor of Plateau State, Lalong changed the trajectory of Governance by removing personal sentiments from public service. He decided to end the culture of personalizing public projects and abandoning people’s resources because of personal ego or political differences. Despite taking over from a Government of a different political party, he vowed to complete all viable and useful projects that have direct impact on the people. This he has done with tremendous success with the completion of projects not only abandoned by former Governor Jonah Jang, but some dating as far back as the Government of Chief S.D. Lar. Today, the Mararaban Jama’a – Secretariat Junction road abandoned at about 30 percent with less than one lane done, is fully completed and in use as one of the major dual carriage gateways to the State. The Secretariat Junction Flyover Bridge also inherited was equally completed and has been in use to the delight of motorists and citizens. Similarly, the Riyom General Hospital and Trauma Centre is completed and in use while the General Hospitals in Kwall, Kanke LGA and Mabudi, Langtang South LGA are also completed and will soon be put to use. The list goes on and on. Having spent most part of his first tenure completing these inherited and abandoned projects, Governor Lalong continued the implementation of Rescue Mission anchored on Peace, Security and Good Governance; Infrastructural Development; and Sustainable Economic Rebirth. Many road projects within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis have been carried out with most of them rehabilitated, reconstructed or newly constructed. The metropolis is also electrified with solar street lights stretching close to 100 kilometres which have enhanced security, aesthetics and night life in the metropolis. The Plateau Judiciary is about taking possession of a brand new High Court Complex touted to the best in the country. His sense of Justice, equity and fairness has pushed him to democratize infrastructural development by distributing projects across the 17 Local Government areas and always thinking of the grassroots. He has thus ensured that all Local Governments have water, road and other projects including the Lalong Legacy Projects which constitute of world standard Schools and Hospitals. These legacy projects when completed will redefine the face of education and health in Plateau State and ensure that the Legacy of the Rescue Administration lives on for many years to come. But for the legal impediments arising from the dispute between the Government and the former contractor, the Legacy Projects would have been commissioned already. However, the obstacle has already been crossed and the projects will be completed shortly. Gradually, Governor Lalong is steadily but quietly fulfilling his campaign promises with the introduction of new projects which have dealt a huge blow to his critics who despite enjoying the many inherited and abandoned projects which he completed and others he initiated, prefer to wallow in self-deceit and political numbness just to discredit him. Early this year, he invited Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon to flag-off the construction of the British-American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Roundabout. The quality and rapid progress of the work has been impressive and a tale of excitement among citizens. As for the famous Jos Main Market which was burnt down many years ago, the Governor’s determination to find funding has finally paid off with one of Nigeria’s financial Institution, Jaiz Bank agreeing to fund the project on a PPP arrangement. This project which will soon kick start promises to be on of Governor Lalong’s parting gift for the good people of Plateau State. Without doubt, an area where Governor Lalong’s best has earned him accolades home and abroad is the area of peace and security which remains closest to his heart. His achievements in this area make him second to none in Nigeria as he has virtually erased the recent previous perception of Plateau as a crises-ridden State and a no-go-area. By establishing the Plateau Peace Building Agency and the Inter-Religious Council, Governor Lalong has diffused the ethno-religious sentiments that were hitherto used as trigger for strife and violence. Little wonder, the State has not experienced ethno-religious crises in a long time except for criminal attacks on innocent citizens by terrorists who have tried unsuccessfully to use religion and generate the bias to instigate the peace loving people to carry arms against one another. This has led to the isolation of these criminals who strike on innocent citizens in the dark of the night killing, maiming, and destroying houses and properties such as in Bassa, Riyom and of recent Kanam, and Wase among others. Yet, the Governor has remained resolute in strengthening the Operation Rainbow and supporting other security agencies such as the Police, Operation Safe Haven, DSS, Civil Defence and others in facing the criminals headlong. Last year alone, He purchased and distributed 50 patrol cars and 200 security motorcycles to security agencies. In addition, he has introduced Community Policing in conjunction with Vigilante and Neighbourhood Watch Groups and Traditional Institutions that provide intelligence to security agencies. Many were therefore not surprised when after many years, Local Government Elections were conducted in the 17 Local Government Areas of the State in September 2021 without any problems. In the past, attempts to conduct such elections in places such as Jos North became a trigger for violence and bloodshed. The increased security and safety in Plateau State have resulted in the inflow of more investments into the State by new businessmen and those who had left the State reluctantly during the dark days. Today, the city is always full with people and hotels are almost always sold out. Government, Private Sector, Professional Bodies and Non-Governmental Agencies are falling over one another to host major national and international conferences and AGMs in Jos. They find it very convenient as the Lalong Government successfully brought in Max Air to operate a flight to and from Abuja, the nation’s capital. The flight has been so successful that within a short time, the flights are almost always fully booked making it necessary for the airline to increase frequencies to almost daily. On the whole, the economy of the State has picked up and citizens are experiencing more prosperity through the establishment of SMEs. Thanks to the creation of an enabling business environment, citizens and corporate organisations are more willing to pay their taxes while the Plateau State Inland Revenue Service has been restructured and with the help of a reputable tax firm now generates more money than before. This has given the Government an opportunity to not only continue its regular payment of salaries and pensions, but also carry out other obligations to contractors and other partners. Indeed, the Lalong Rescue Administration has demonstrated fidelity and prudence in utilization of public resources through the establishment of Efficiency Unit (EU), Liquidity Management Committee (LMC), Due Process Office, Project Monitoring and Result Delivery Office (PMRDO), implementation of the State Fiscal, Transparency Accountability and Sustainability Program (SFTAS) as well as being a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Little wonder, the records of financial and fiscal discipline won Plateau State the Transparency and Accountability in Extractives at the 2020 OGP Local Innovation Awards held in Seoul, South Korea (1st in Africa). This is after it had won the Award as the second least Corrupt State in Nigeria by the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS). Turning 59 years weeks before his 7th year in office, Governor Simon Bako Lalong shows his credentials as a man whose rise to public office is certainly not for self-aggrandizement, vain glorification and lucre, but for service that is stewed in humility, fairness, justice and love for the less privileged who like him, depend on God for upliftment and a better life. He remains a darling of Civil Servants who call him “Governor Alert” after seven years of consistent payment of their wages as and when due – a clear departure of what they experienced before his coming into office. His democratic credentials and leadership position on the National Stage continue to blossom as he walks the talk when it comes to the rule of law and encouraging the growth of democracy. He remains the first Governor in Nigeria to implement full Autonomy for the Legislature and Judiciary as well as Local Governments. This is in addition to his leadership of the Northern Governors Forum and huge sacrifices for the building of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). With this background, it becomes more convincing that Simon Bako Lalong has a destiny with fate in the coming years particularly after the 2023 elections when his tenure ends as Governor of Plateau State. Already, groups are mounting uncommon pressure on him to go higher in the service of the nation with the Plateau Legacy Group purchasing the form for him to run for the Plateau South Senatorial District Seat. As the Chairman of the group and Member representing Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi succinctly puts it, “leaders like you should not do what they have done to Plateau people and retire home. You have done so much for Plateau State and Nigeria at large and that is why we have put our heads together to take the decision to buy the form for you to contest. You have so much to offer”. On this special occasion of his 59th birthday, the prayer is for God to give Governor Simon Bako Lalong good health, more wisdom and courage to continuously operate in the will of God and stay true to the early teachings and training he got from the Bible which have taken him thus far. Happy birthday Your Excellency! Makut Simon Macham, Ph.D., is the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

Okuta Audu Alogwu Jos

Dr Nentawe an IT expert and one time commissioner of INEC in Benue state has joined Plateau Governorship race under the Platform of All Progresive Congress.

While making his Official declaration at Kalwa House, the state Secretariat of his party in Jos, Promised to make Plateau state better again, saying “we will fix it”

According to Ex Benue state INEC Commissioner, he is the only candidate who has his manifesto on the website, promising that together they shall make plateau great. he stressed.

According to him, Plateau citizens should look for a credible leader that has the experience and knows the problem, stressing that before he came out to contest he made wider consultations and met with former governors of the state and stakeholders.

” I have done my research and I have the best brains to work with to deliver my campaign and manifesto promises if elected. I will solve the security challenges by bringing the right mechanism in place, I will prioritise education, agriculture, and economic growth, I will unify the people and create an enabling environment for investors to come”.

Kalwa House, the APC Party Secretariat went agog by the massive turn out of people who came to show their solidarity and support for the #GenerationNext Governordhip Aspirant.

He was received at the party Secretariat by party EXCO’s, stakeholders as well as stalwarts during his official declaration of interest.

Dr Nentawe Yilwatda expressed his desire to solve the ranging problems of Plateau State if elected into office.

According to him, these problems he said falls under (3)three major factors which are among other things, Security,
Poverty and
and Disunity.

He said he intends to solve these problems if giving the opportunity to lead the State in 2023..

He also exclaimed that he is the preferred man for the job due to the advantages and edge he had over other contestants which are exposure, Experience and
Educational background.

He added that he had past engagements with both locally and international Organisations such as consultation for the World Bank, UNESCO, African Development Bank amongst others.

He disclosed that his last national assignment was INEC REC in Benue state , where he left a clean financial slate by involving extra Auditors before handing over office.

Responding,the state party Chairman Hon Rufus Bature who received the gubernatorial Aspirant at the party Secretariat highlighted the Obstacles of political campaign to delegates who are meant to be delegating for people at the grassroot but end up choosing the best candidate in terms of money.

According to the party Chairman, “within aspirants there are aspirants” describing Dr Nentawe as one of the best among those contesting for the party Governordhip ticket.

Bature promised to create a level playing ground for all those intending to contest for the Governorship ticket of APC in Plateau State.

Attai Okuta Audu Jos.

The Plateau elders have urged the Plateau state government to expeditiously take alternative measures to tackle the escalating violence in the state by leveraging both the nation’s military asset and state’s community intelligence and defensive resources.

The advice of Plateau Elders to Lalong’s government came on the heels of Tuesday attack on the attack on the convoy of the federal Lawmaker Musa Agah Avia at restive Bassa LGA of the state during which two people in convoy were killed by armed Gunmen.

The spokesman of the state Elders forum Jonathan Ishaku in a statement on the ugly development which he made available to Daily Independent, said the forum received with sadness the news that a week after Governor Simon B. Lalong, the Governor of Plateau State, visited Bassa Local Government Area and met with Irigwe leaders assuring that the signing of the peace agreement between them and the Fulani will usher in lasting peace, the convoy of the newly elected Bassa/Jos North member of House of Representatives, Hon. Musa Agah Avia, was attacked on Tuesday in the locality culminating in two deaths.

According to the statement, “Plateau Elders Forum once again condemn this violence and urge the government to accept the futility of past approach in dealing with the terrorists.”

According to Ishaku, just like they urged in their last press statement, what is needed now from the government is to embark on drastic measures in line with the Federal Government declaration of the aggressors as terrorists.

The elders wondered why for the past five or more years, the Plateau State Government through the Plateau Peace Building Agency, and recently the Inter-Faith Committee, had expended energy and resources on finding solution to this violent crisis without success.

” No reasonable person should continue doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result”
the forum lamented.

According to Plateau elders, the dialogue approach has become a colossal failure and urged “the state government to expeditiously take alternative measures to tackle this escalating violence by leveraging both the nation’s military asset and state’s community intelligence and defensive resources” they advised.The elders forum once again conveyed it’s deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the Reps. Member God’s continuous protection.

There was an uplifting news item a couple of weeks ago in Plateau State; quite a refreshing change from the constant stream of bad news about killings and skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs. It was the cheering news that the state government has at last found a financier to partner in the rebuilding of the burnt Jos Main Market which for the past 20 years lay in ruins at the city centre. Although it could hardly compensate for lost lives or deepening economic gloom families face these days, it was a reassuring news item, nevertheless, given the vast potentials the market has in revitalizing the economy of the state as well as the vast opportunities it holds for individual commercial activities. The burnt Jos Main Market held a special place in the soul of Plateau State and its people. It was initially conceived, like most iconic projects in the state, by the former Governor of the defunct Benue Plateau State, Mr. Joseph D. Gomwalk, in 1975. Gomwalk was toppled in the coup of the same year, so the project went through many hands. But like it is often said, if Gomwalk was the Moses of Plateau State, Chief Solomon D. Lar was the Joshua, an allusion to the Biblical characters God used in the liberation of the Jews from Egypt and final arrival in the Promised Land! Indeed, Chief Lar was instrumental to the completion of the market as he injected a massive part of the socalled Midland Bank foreign loan he had procured into it. By the time he, too, was overthrown in the General Muhammadu Buhari coup of January 1984, the magnificent edifice was almost completed. It was the military Governor Navy Commodore Samuel B. Atukum’s special honour to invite Gen. Buhari, then Head of State, to Plateau State to commission the market in 1985.By the time it was commissioned, the market stood out as the biggest indoor market in West Africa. But there was more to it than sheer size; it was aesthetically resplendent, a sheer architectural splendor! Almost immediately, it became a tourism delight in its own right, attracting a daily retinue of tourists from near and far who visited the market to just behold the architectural masterpiece. No students’ educational visit to Jos was complete without including the market in the itinerary. The market had the capacity to accommodate at least 3,500 traders in the lock-up shops while the open space at the base of the main structure could accommodate at least another 2,000 traders. The complex also had provision for banks, restaurants, police station, fire service station, car parks and even accommodation for some important market staff. The market was well patronized by traders from all over Nigeria. It was a veritable internally generated revenue (IGR) spinner for the government. However, all these went up in flames one night in February 2002. It was described as mysterious fire but public perception was that it was an act of arson by unknown hoodlums. The government of Chief Joshua Dariye set up a commission of inquiry but the report was never released.For the past 20 years successive governments had promised to rebuild the edifice but they all failed to so. In fact, during the brief administration of Chief Michael Botmang, the beautiful yellow metal frames adorning the complex were removed and allegedly sold by a top aide! In 2009, Governor Jonah D. Jang promised to demolish the entire structure and build a modern international shopping mall in its place. But aside demolishing the imposing sculpture of the baby-carrying woman with load on her head popularly called “Mama Tapgun” (named after Governor Fidelis Tapgun who made the addition), this promise, too, was not fulfilled. However, Governor Simon B. Lalong back in February 2015, even before he contested the election, told a newspaper in an interview that “one of the first things he would do was to rebuild the market either through build-operate-and transfer model or public-private partnership.” Yet it remained an unfulfilled promise during his first tenure in government even after the fanfare of demolishing a section of the market preparatory to the commencement of constructing the market. The political opposition made heavy weather of this during his reelection electioneering campaigns, widely circulating the Lalong demolition video as evidence of failed promises. As the years fly by, with the second tenure inching to an end, the video was also a subject of political jest at watering-holesSo it was pleasant news, indeed, when the Lalong government announced arrangements for the commencement of the project with Jaiz Bank Plc in a public-private partnership (PPP) . It said under the agreement signed by the partners, the bank will fully finance the N9.4bn project at zero per cent interest. Jaiz Bank is Nigeria’s first non-interest bank operating under Islamic banking principles. Although it was founded in 2003, the bank began operation as a national bank in Nigeria only in January 2012. Naturally, owing to the sentiments religion packs in this country, already voices have started shouting “Islamization!” since the announcement was made. I respect our defenders of constitutional secularism but this can hardly be a threat in any way. The cynicism, however, is borne out of public ignorance about the operation of the Islamic banking principles of non-interest, a concept which other Western mainstream banks such as HSBC, Citibank, Barlays Bank, Standard Chartered, etc, have since incorporated non-interest banking products into their operations. Proponents of this system say that it is an alternative banking based on the principle of non-interest, sharing of risks and rewards, equity, fairness and justice. In short, it is an ethical financial system without recourse to Islamic propaganda or proselytism.The major point of departure with the traditional capitalist banking system as practiced in Nigeria is the rejection of usury (riba). In truth, this principle is shared by both Christianity and Judaism. The Bible is emphatically against usury (Exodus 22:25-27, Deuteronomy 23:19 Ezekiel 18:8) as practiced by the mainstream banks which have virtually strangulated Nigerians or rendered them enslaved through exorbitant interest charges. Christianity is very much in tune with non-interest banking principles. In fact, Jesus’ only recorded expression of anger was the chasing out of usurers who had converted the temple, God’s house, into their place of operation (John 2:15). If Jaiz Bank will rebuild the burnt Jos Main Market and thus resuscitate the economy of Plateau State, so be it. Governor Lalong should be saluted for keeping his word to rebuild the market. Although, it may be coming late in the life of his Administration, and I am sure there is a convincing reason for that, the most important thing is that the process is now under way. His choice of a partner for the PPP is also a sound one. Within the short period of its operation in Nigeria, Jaiz Bank has established a reputation of reliability. The first Islamic bank anywhere in the world to break even within the first three years of its operation, the bank has also just within 10 years of operation been able to move its asset base from N12 billion to N278 billion and, finally, to earn an overall Fitch rating of B- just under a decade. Besides, Jaiz Bank Plc has a tract record in such project financing. A few examples will suffice: in a tripartite partnership between the Kano State government and private investors, the bank is constructing a multi-million world-class drug-only wholesale market, the first of its type in Nigeria, at the Kano Economic City; in Niger State, in partnership with the government, the bank is developing 3 hectares in the Minna City Centre to provide for a shopping complex, modern underground parks, modern filling station, warehouses, corner shops, restaurants and a recreational a centre at a total cost of N3.5 billion; Kaduna State also engaged it in its market development and currently Enugu State government is reported in talks with it for a similar project! The above performance profile and experience in the sector are good assurances of the bank’s capacity to handle the Jos market project. My only advice, as I initially expressed on the social media, is that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) should be doubly scrutinized to guarantee equity, fairness and justice to the people of Plateau State as well as ensure hitch-free implementation of the partnership.Mr. Ishaku is the Managing Consultant of CCL CONSULTING, Jos, Plateau State.

AT LAST, THE REBUILING OF THE JOS MAIN MARKET: BETTER LATE THAN NEVERBY JONATHAN ISHAKU