Plateau House Of Assembly Members-Elect from Langtang North- North state constituency Hon. Nannim Joseph Langyi has promised to boost small and medium scale enterprises in his constituency in a bid to create jobs for the teeming youths in his constituency’.
Langyi stated this in an interview with newsmen in Jos shortly after he received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) .
According to him, the youths in his constituency’ have lots of potentials but lacks the opportunity to showcase themselves adding that with access to soft loans, they will do more better and their lives will be transformed .
Langyi explained that he was propelled to join the race because of his desires to serve the people at the grassroot with a view to make huge impact in their lives.
He a pointed out that as a grassroot politician, he will not take the mandate given to him by the good people of his constituency’ for granted.
” Having worked with our dear mother Hon. Beni Lar, the 5th times member representing Langtang North/Langtang South federal Constituency for decades,the people have seen the leadership qualities he has demostrated over the years and called him to come and serve them in this capacity”.
Langyi further stressed “My people are looking up to me with great expectations and I will make sure I go to any length within the ambit of the law to bring dividends of democracy to their door steps.”
He promised to do everything humanly possible to protect their interest at any time .
He urged his opponent who lost in the election to join hands with him as his door is widely opened to them, saying they should embrace the spirit of sportsmanship so that together they can contribute their quota to the growth and development of Langtang North North constituency and by extension the state in general.
Plateau Governor-elect Barr Caleb Mutfwang, will receive today his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Director Media and Publicity of Mutfwang/Piyo Campaign Council Pastor Yiljab Abraham in a statement which he made available to Oracle Reporters in Jos, said the ceremony will hold at the State INEC headquarters along Miango Road, Jos at 10am.
It would be recalled that Barr Mutfwang of the PDP was declared winner of the governorship election conducted across the state on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Along with the Governor-Elect, 16 House of Assembly members elected on the Platform of the PDP will also collect their certificates of Return, Abraham said..
Abraham said the event is expected to bring together not only PDP members, supporters and admirers, but also people from across political lines who desire to witness and be a part of a new dispensation on the Plateau under the leadership of Barr Mutfwang as the incoming Governor of Plateau State.
According to Yiljab,there will be a reception after the collection of certificates of return at Tamarald Event Centre, near Jos International Breweries, off Jonah David Jang Way, Jos.
The Generation Next Campaign Council has described as uncharitable and wicked, recent attack on the person of the President court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban Mensen.
Spokesman of the campaign council Shittu Bamaiyi, in a statement in Jos which made available to Oracle Reporters in Jos states that it is quite unfortunate that PDP out of desperation and fear could come out to begin to blackmail and intimidate a revered and reputable jurist just to safe its face.
Shittu alleged that the PDP has gone to the extent of using gutter and uncouth language against the President court of Appeal for just no reason, but out to score cheap political goal.
He pointed out that no decent people, especially those from Plateau could allow such an illustrious daughter of the state who through dint of hard work, meritoriously earned the office of the President Court of Appeal to be ridiculed no matter the circumstances.
Shittu remarked that it is not surprising for the PDP to accuse justice Dongban and governor Simon Lalong of an imaginary interference and manipulation of the election tribunals since the party’s stock in trade, is malicious propaganda, character assassination and blackmail.
He questioned why the PDP should be living in fear, if it truly won the governorship election in the state.
He pointef out that it is the guilty that is always afraid, even of it’s shadow.
Shittu described as an after thought and a damage control effort by the Caleb Mutfwang campaign council dissociating itself from the sponsored and orchestrated campaign of calumny against the person of Honourable Justice Dongban.
Spokesman Generation Next added that the APC and its governorship Candidate Dr Nentawe Yilwatda hold the judiciary in high esteem and would resist any attempt to denigrate or ridicule it, since it serves as one of the bastion of democracy.
Shittu warned the PDP to desist from further causing and unnecessary tension and anxiety in the state, moreso when the people are aware of what truly transpired during the governorship election.
Meanwhile the Spokesman of Caleb Mutfwang/ Piyo campaign Organization Pastor Yiljab Abraham said Plateau Governor Elect Barr Mutfwang holds the court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban in high esteem and as well a respected daughter of Plateau.
Abraham said the PDP on the Plateau nor it’s supporters have not done anything to run down the image and reputation of Justice Monica Dongban, saying rather,they see President Court Of Appeal as an Ambassador of Plateau at third tier of government,the Judiciary.
The Plateau state APC governorship Candidate Dr Nentawe Yilwatda has secured the tribunal’s nod to inspect materials used for the governorship election in Plateau state on the 18th Marth of this month.
The governorship Election petition tribunal sitting in Jos gave this ruling on Tuesday after the hearing of two applications moved by Nentawe’s counsel, Jim Gotom.
In a motion exparte and motion on notice, Gotom hinted the tribunal that his motion is supported by a six paragraph affidavit and that he was placing reliance on all of them.
He further hinted that a written address was attached to the affidavit with legal arguments and decided cases to back his application.
The applicant’s lawyer applied for leave and order of the tribunal to permit Nentawe,his counsel and agents to inspect the election materials such as tendered vote list, Electoral material Receipt, Ballot Paper Account and Verification Statement.
Other materials demanded to be inspected include, statement of Invalid, Rejected and Cancelled Ballot Papers, Statement of Unused and Spoilt Ballot Papers,Tendered Ballot statement, Results of Poll from Polling units,Summary of Results for Local government areas, Summary of Results for the State and Summary/Declaration of Results for candidates.
Gotom also requested that his client be permitted to inspect the Bi-modal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Back End Server Report from the BVAS for all the polling Units and other relevant documents.
The applicant’s leading other lawyer Emma Yokpe then prayed the tribunal to direct INEC to comply forthwith with all the reliefs sought.
In a similar motion and application, Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP had applied for leave of the tribunal to also carry out similar exercise.
Mutfwang through his lawyer Kingsley Mallan, wanted the tribunal to allow his client to inspect materials used for the March 18th governorship election.
INEC lawyer Elekwa Oyemauche in his submission, pointed out that the issues in all the applicants applications are the same and therefore should be consolidated to save the tribunal’s time.
Ruling, the tribunal granted the prayers in the parties applications and ordered that INEC should give them access to jointly inspect the materials.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP House of Representatives Members- Elect have chosen to rely on competence, efficiency and suitability of a person and not zoning in determining the leadership of the lower chambers in the 10th National Assembly.
They also cautioned all political parties to be sensitive to the needs of the nation by ensuring that the 10th National Assembly does not become a lame dog in the hands of the executive arm of government.
Rising from a strategic meeting of the Northern Caucus of the PDP Members-Elect in Abuja at the weekend, the newly elected federal.legislators observed that the legislature is the engine room of democracy and therefore the quality of its input will drive the process of policy initiation and execution.
According to them, only capable and experience legislative leadership can guarantee Independence of the 10th National Assembly.
In a communique signed by 7 members , 2 from from each of the North Central, North East and North West geo political zones of the country under the leadership of Hon Dr Ali JC Isa, ( Balanga/ Billiri Federal Constituency of Gombe State), the Members-Elect said with all eyes on the legislature, it will be unfair to compromise efficiency and competence on the altar of zoning just for political reasons.
They all agreed to work together to ensure that competent persons are elected or appointed to occupy the leadership positions of the lower chamber of the apex legislature.
According to them,” it is the quality of the legislature that provides effective oversight for good legislation and effective implementation of government policies. . ” We are therfore poised to make an additional difference to what is on ground to ensure smooth progress from where the 9th National assembly will stop and return Nigeria to proper socio- economic footing and development. “
According to them, a sound and effective legislative leadership is what is needed in a democracy to sustain or midwife positive change and therefore we cannot be talking about the traditional issues of zoning which has often times retarded growth and development of democratic ideas because of week and imposed legislative leaderships.
They task themselves to keep the vision and work towards recruiting vibrant leadership when the national assembly is inaugurated.
Former deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Usman Bayero Nafada who chaired the event congratulated the Members- Elect and informed them that the secret to legislative success and performance is unity.
He charged them to familiarise themselves with one another as they prepare towards inauguration and ensure that they think together all the time for the progress of the nation.
The meeting was attended by almost all the PDP Northern Caucus members who are in high spirits to make a difference in the 10th assembly.
They vowed that as an opposition with a huge number, they will work together in unity with other minority members from the Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA to ensure that eligibility, competence and merit takes precedence in the choice of the leadership of the 10th national assembly instead of the usual tradition of using zoning to impose leadership which creates legislative instability most of the time.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Plateau State chapter, Yakubu Bawa, has expressed dismay over campaign on the social media against the Vice Chancellor Of University of Jos , Prof. Tanko Ishaya, who served as the Returning Officer for Nasarawa State Governorship elections in the just concluded polls in the state
Tanko served in Nasarawa State as the State Returning Officer in both the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the March 18 Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections.
Professor Tanko who officially declared the result of the governorship contest after collation of the total number of votes casts, declared Governor Abdullahi Sule and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election in Nasarawa state having polled the highest number of votes in the election.
The INEC State Collation Officer and Returning Officer, Prof Ishaya Tanko, announced that the All Progressive Candidate (APC) who is also the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Sule, was the winner and returned elected.
According to Tanko, governor Sule polled a total of 347,209 votes to defeat his closest opponent, David Ombugadu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 283, 016 votes.
However the results of the March 18 Governorship elections in the state was greeted with mix reactions as several allegations were made against Prof Tanko .
It was alleged on social media that Professor Tanko compromised in the manner he handled the collation and the declaration Of the results of the contest.
Speaking with newsmen in Jos the Plateau State capital on the issue on Monday, the NBA Chairman in Plateau state said it is unfortunate that people are smearing the name of such a morally upright person Prof. Tanko with such allegation.
“Posting of any unsubstantiated information in the social media is an infraction of violation of law because it falls within the purview of cyber crime, information act and so on.
“So what the people are doing is wrong because there is a rule of engagement in any social media and online post, and unless and until one has a compelling evidence against someone, such person ought not post any defamatory material about the person because you are smearing such person’s image,” he said.
Bawa said they in the law profession and other professional bodies know Prof. Tanko so well and can say that he is a man of uncommon integrity, adding that some of them even gathered how he firmly stood his stance to make the right declaration during the Presidential Election which Peter Obi won in Nasarawa State.
Bawa express surprise that Prof Tanko’s declaration of the winner in the governorship election in the state has become a subject of controversy and generating of smear campaign against him while he was not taken to the cleaners during the presidential election result declaration in the same state.
The Plateau NBA Chairman reminded all those peddling rumours without proof to desist as it is a grave offence, adding that those circulating such on online social media should desist because it is a cyber crime under the law.
He urged all aggrieved persons to go to the election tribunal where they can tender any evidence of alleged infraction, rather than spreading rumours or information without any proof whatsoever.
The Citizens Observers Hub/ Executive Director CYPA Africa, Ambassador Chris Iyama has charged Plateau State Governor Elect Barr Caleb Mutfwang to hit the ground running with people of good standing in his cabinet that will be constituted after taking over power on the 29th of may this year.
According to Iyama, the victory of Mutfwang is a reflection of the trust and confidence the people of Plateau State have in him.
He stressed that now . that the elections are over and Mutfwang will to be sworn-in by May 29th 2023, it is pertinent to bring to his attention certain important issues.
Iyama in a statement in Jos made available to Oracle Reporters,said now that people are pouring into Mutfwang residence to congratulate him over his victory at the polls, Mutfwang must be mindful of the fact that most of those visiting at this point may just be praise-singers and sycophants who harbour future requests and favours.
“We urge you to be blind to praise-singers, deaf to sycophants while sourcing for the best brains into the right offices in your cabinet to facilitate delivery of the expectations of Plateau people.”
Iyama advised Mutfwang to ensure the selection of personalities into his cabinet will be interpreted as a reflection of his intellectual prowess and resolution to implementation of governance philosophy and programmes.
“we implore you to hit the ground running without delay in order to save time and attract the goodwill of the electorates.”
According to him, their proposition is drawn from the failures of previous administrations arising from delays in constitution of a cabinet and other key executive and administrative positions and thus, wasted time on internal politicking on who gets what, where the person came from, and the office to be occupied.
“Resultantly, it took months before the administration of Lalong took off fully while the electorates waited in dwindling hopes.”
He charged Mutfwang to realize that time is of essence and as such Plateau Governor Elect , must begin implementing his blue prints for the people of Plateau State from the first day he assume office to ensure that Plateau people do not experience the pains and frustrations the outgoing administration brought on the State for eight (8) years.
He suggested that it is important to look at those critical projects like the National Library – Abattoir Connecting Bridge and road networks which the outgoing administration refused to complete throughout their eight (8) years in office, stressing that these projects when completed, will ease traffic and make navigation easy for Plateau people within Jos Metropolis.
‘We wish to also bring to your attention the dilapidated state of the most used in-road into Plateau State, the Kuru-Riyom road linking Plateau State to Kaduna State. We kindly request that you use your influence to enable the repair and/or dualization of the road while considering other funding options and raw materials in road construction.”
He added that as evident by security and safety reports issued by government agencies, the road has become a death trap in relation to fatal accidents and security breaches.
” As contained in your Policy Thrust, there is need to immediately revamp the state security outfit, the ‘Operation Rainbow’ to quickly dominating trouble spots, flash points and security risk areas in our rural communities. This is important to ensure that lives and property are protected proactively and not reactionary responses after the damage has been done.”
He added that already there is a ready army of young people who can be integrated to protect lives and property on the Plateau.
” You will recall how young people applied the same motivation and endurance in resisting attempts to manipulate results at various collation centres.”
Iyama hinted that there is an urgent need for massive employment into the Civil Service upon Mutfwang assumption into office, adding that the youths who came out to defend Barr Mutfwang mandate are mostly unemployed, hence the need to engage them into fruitful ventures for the overall security and economic prosperity of Plateau State.
“drawing from your Governance Philosophy and Programmes on the need to boost the State’s economy through investment in the agricultural sector, you will recall that the Agric Services Training Center and Marketing Limited (ASTC) packed up immediately the Lalong- led administration took over, stressing that rather than continuing from where the Jang-led administration left off, equipment and farm supplies were left to rot away by Governor Lalong administration..
“Farmers were left to their fate in subsistence farming which had little capacity to meet the daily food consumption requirements of the State. Thus, rejuvenating the ASTC will give ample employment opportunities in agriculture for Plateau people.”
He also suggested that there is the need to re-visit the Greater Jos Master Plan in order to open up other areas of Jos through massive road infrastructure to bring more development and ease of urbanization.
“Throbbing in the heart of Plateau residents is the Jos Main Market project which should be looked into with a view to addressing the issues through confidence building among Plateau residents.”
He noted that from the results at various levels of collation and computation and the merry ambience and jubilations which heralded the election of Mutfwang , it is evident that Plateau youths came out massively to vote for Barr Mutfwang.
“To this effect, they ensured that there were no interferences from foreign interests at various collation centers across the State,these youth stayed under the sun and in the rain, endured brutalisation by state-sponsored security operatives and slept at collations centers to ensure that Mutfwang mandate did not suffer premature termination.”
He pleaded with Mutfwang not to betray the trust of the Youths as the outgoing administration did and recommended that thirty percent (30%) of slots in Mutfwang cabinet be reserved for young people, young people that are experts in their field of endeavours should be appointed into his cabinet.
“Young persons are weary of their usual appointment as Special Assistants (SAs) or “data boys” with no portfolio or job description attached to those appointments.”
Iyama advised that In the outgoing administration on the Plateau, there were young people who distinguished themselves in various leadership positions, advising that Mutfwang should kindly consider engaging them to continue their good works.
“We make bold to say that there are young persons from Plateau State or affiliated to the Plateau course who are making impact in various fields in Nigeria and abroad, and those are the brains needed for quality governance.’
Iyama added that now that time for politics has ended, this is the time for leadership and governance for Plateau people.
He disclosed that Citizens Observers Hub is a coalition of civil society organizations working on credible Elections and deepening democratic Governance in Nigeria.
” In fulfilling our mandate, we will not fail to raise red flags when your government decides to abandon governance for frivolities. To this effect, we are committed to tracking every penny and every project at all levels in Plateau State, including the conduct of persons who will occupy office in your administration.”
He added that It is not going to be business as usual, reminding Mutfwang that his mandate as Governor of Plateau State from May 29th 2023 came from the people and not godfathers.
“Hence, we will follow your administration every inch of the way to ensure that you deliver on your mandate and do everything possible to develop Plateau State, deliver dividends of democracy and secure lives and Iyama stressed. .
Director North Central Zone of Civil Liberty Organizations (CLO) Steve Aluko, has cautioned against any unfounded smear campaign against the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya over the just concluded general elections.
Tanko served in Nasarawa State as the State Returning Officer in both the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the March 18 Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections.
But after the results of the March 18 elections were announced, there have been several allegations against him including alleged compromise in the social media.
In that respect, Aluko warned those spreading such smear campaign without any evidence to desist, saying that such could be tantamount to defamation of character and liable to law suit, as the VC also has the right to sue wherever he feels he is wrongly accused. Aluko who spoke with newsmen in Jos the Plateau State capital said voters and aggrieved persons in the just concluded elections have the right to protest against any perceived injustice and as well as the right to seek redress in court, but that smear campaign against anyone without evidence should be checked to avoid unnecessary tensions.
The Director reiterated that the Nigerian constitution upholds freedom of speech and protests, but peddling rumours on social media without any genuine evidence is not only unacceptable, but that it is a cyber crime that is punishable under the law.
He called on anyone who is aggrieved in the whole process to seek proper and acceptable way to ventilate their grievances, stressing that care should be taking not to run fowl of the law in the process of self expression or unconfirmed information.
Bigwigs of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State have appealed to to the President-elect, Ahmed Tinubu, to stand by the party in the state after last Saturday governorship election, where the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Caleb Muftwang, was declared the winner.
Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Jos the Plateau State capital after their emergency meeting, the APC Bigwigs Chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, also called on the party at the national as well as the trustees and other party stakeholders to stand with the party at the state at this moment.
He said APC governorship aspirant in the election, Nentawe Yilwatda, with the party backing has rejected the result and will deploy the necessary means within the law to reclaim their mandate.
He said the election wasn’t without flaws, and that is why they have rejected the result, adding that with determination, relentlessness, political will and the support of the party at the national, they will reclaim back their mandate.
Zazzaga said there was a lot of smear campaign against the leader of the party in the state, in person of Governor Simon Lalong, mostly because he agreed to become the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to him, Tinubu is a very qualified candidate for the presidential job following his impressive antecedents in the Nigerian political space over the years and his huge contribution to the advancement of the Nigerian democracy.
‘Tinubu’s maximal performance as the Lagos State Governor also still remains unprecedented, and his quality and capacity as a leader attracts many to him.
“That is the quality Governor Lalong also sees in Tinubu and his candidature that makes him to accept the appointment of the Director General of his campaign council.
“And as a Governor who is always making efforts to attract good things to the state from national and international community, he decided to accept the role so that Plateau people can be part of the winning team of Tinubu who eventually won.
“But rather than the people to appreciate the governor’s efforts, some few mischievously resulted to smear campaign against him in the state, while using ethno-religious basis to back up their campaign, and we know what such campaign can do in this nation.
“Nonetheless, Lalong is a resolute Governor, an achiever, a performer and a leader for all. His recognition and election as the Chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum Chairman is also an loud testament of his quality, and even in that position which he holds till date, he performed creditably well,” he said.
He called on their teeming supporters to remain calm as they have been doing since the announcement of the result, promising that the party will do all it takes to right any wrong.
Plateau Governor Elect Barr Caleb Mutfwang has charged Muslim on the Plateau to dedicate themselves to fasting and prayers as Ramadan fast begins through out the country.
Barr Mutfwang in a press statement issued through his Deputy Director Media Mutfwang/ Piyo Campaign Council James Mannok and made available to Oracle Reporters in Jos, said the month of Ramadan is a time of sober reflection and prayers, as well as demonstration of peace, love and sacrifice.
According to Plateau Governor Elect, “This season offers Muslims the opportunity to assess their relationship with Allah and creates another opportunity for them to make amends where necessary as it depicts their commitment to Islamic tenets.
” I appeal to all Muslims to pray for the unity, peace and development of our dear State.”
He tasks the Muslim faithfuls on the Plateau to show growing commitment to achieving a more secure and prosperous Plateau.
“The government under my leadership will be an all-inclusive one where all citizens of the State are treated fairly and equitably irrespective of their tribal, religion and political inclinations.”
He called on well meaning and patriotic Citizens of Plateau State to put aside all their differences and join him in building a better and greater State that will be a pride of all.
He wished Plateau Muslims a peaceful fasting season in the state of Peace and Tourism..
Oracle Reporters 