__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.

Tinubu’s Win, Lalong’s Gain

By Yakubu Dati

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has done it again.

After pivoting the affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Chairman of the Ondo State Governorship Campaign and delivered the party in the South West state in 2016, Lalong’s ideas have again ruled at the just concluded APC presidential primary.

With the successful conclusion of the APC primary, Governor Lalong’s fight for justice and equity which has ensured peace in Plateau State for the over seven years he has presided over affairs in his state, has been transcended to the national level.

This is the big takeaway from the just concluded presidential primary which held at the Eagle Square in Abuja and which many have applauded for its sensitivity to Nigeria’s multiculturalism as well as equity and fairness for the nation’s unity.

While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went ahead to choose their candidate based mainly on linear and partisan consideration, the APC was more considerate as it took into cognisance the feeling of a large section of the country and decided that in the overall interest of Nigeria give all sides a sense of belonging.

This is based on the understanding that since the North, with President Muhammadu Buhari, would be completing eight straight years by 2023, that it is only fair that the South should take the next shot at the presidency.

But this this did not happen by chance as some of the leaders of the APC, mainly the APC Northern Governors had to stick their necks out to ensure that the right thing is done.

Governor Lalong of Plateau State who chairs the Northern State Governor Forum (NSGF) was at the forefront of this campaign for equity and justice which eventually paved the way for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge as the presidential flag-bearer of the APC.

The 14 governors took a position that the presidential ticket of the APC should go to the southern part of Nigeria for fairness.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the conclusion of the meeting, Lalong also asked aspirants from the northern region to withdraw from the race to clear the path for the aspirants from the South.

He said, “It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in any way affected by the decisions taken by another political party” and to a large extent, it was this position that provided the paradigm shift for the party to go for elections rather than consensus and paved the way for Tinubu to clinch the party’s ticket.

As many have rightly said, if there’s any group of persons that deserves praise for seeing that the APC respected the principle of zoning and takes into cognisance the sensitivity of the populace, it is the APC Northern governors.

Now that the APC presidential primary is over and Tinubu has been announced as the candidate of the ruling party and given the flag, there is the need to focus on what will improve his chances at the general elections.

Whatever choice the presidential candidate makes at this stage, will give an indication of his understanding of the nation’s political dynamics and give a glimpse of his vision for the country.

The time for the submission of candidates to INEC is nigh and there is no time to waste in seeking what would give an advantage to the APC ticket.

Luckily, Governor Lalong is no stranger to Tinubu as the two have worked together for years.

When Lalong was chairman of the Conference of Speakers, he coordinated leaders of the state legislature across the country to cooperate and give in their best for governors to run their states smoothly at the time Tinubu was governor of Lagos State.

The Plateau Governor is also well known for charting the course for justice and equity to reign and that is why he has been able to restore peace to a state which before his administration, had been torn by crises and insecurity.

On assuming office in 2015, Lalong made sure his cabinet reflected all the ethnic groups in the state and this doused the tension over appointments in the state.

The Governor was to go ahead to administer the state with equity and fairness and by being fair to all.

This had sent a strong message across that the Governor is fair minded and not biased against any group and that has helped him to rule the state in peace.

He has been well commended for not showing discrimination in the siting of projects in his state as his structural intervention are evenly spread across the length and breadth of the state.

The Governor had also created chiefdoms for perceived marginalized groups and gave all in the state a sense of belonging and allowed democracy, rather than imposition to thrive when electing local government chairmen.

This was why In 2019, his colleagues governor found him worthy to be elected as the chairman of the northern governors’ forum which comprises 19 members.

On assuming the Chairmanship, Lalong had promised not to betray the people of the region and his colleagues by championing issues that are of best interest to the country.

This is exactly what he has done to the APC by being a catalyst to the election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential flag bearer of the APC.

The APC which will now be focused on how to win the 2023 elections must not lose sight of the fact that it needs someone whom the whole country can relate with and not one whose identity only amplifies our natal divisions.

Even as the APC presidential primary was going on at the Eagle Square in Abuja, some fifth columnists went to work trying to discredit the envisaged victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu by circulating fake text messages that the Jagaban Borgu is set to pair up with an adherent of his faith to wins at the general elections next year.

The move which was cut short by the media Team of Bola Ahmed Tinubu was aimed at poisoning the minds of delegates and the electorate towards the APC when it became apparent that Tinubu was set to clinch the ticket.

In response, the BAT media Team said Tinubu is not known for jumping the gun and will address issues concerning his ambition when it is official that he has clinched the ticket.

With Lalong, the far North, the North Central and the entire country would have a stake in the Tinubu presidency.

“I WILL PRIORITIZE THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS OF PLATEAU NORTH IF ELECTED SENATOR – HON. SIMON MWADKWON

Attai Audu Jos.

The PDP Senatorial Candidate for Plateau North Senatorial Election in 2023, Hon. Simon Mwadkwon has Promised to give serious attention to the collective needs of the People of Plateau North Senatorial district if elected Senator in 2023.

The Federal Lawmaker who is currently House of Reps. Member representing Riyom/ Barkinladi Federal Constituency at National Assembly made this disclosure when the Executives, Elders, Stakeholders, Delegates and Party Supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Jos East, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas paid him courtesy visit to congratulate him for emerging the Senate Candidate in the just concluded Party’s Primaries.

Dr Mwadkwon said Plateau North will experience outstanding leadership which will focus on result-driven governance making humanity the priority with him in the saddle.

He charged his guests and party faithfuls to support the PDP at all levels in order to make the Nation and the lives of the people better from the hardships caused by the APC .

He said his Party has produced great personalities from the State House of Assembly to the national level who according to him have the capacity and competence to transform the Nation.

He described the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as young, agile, focused and very credible to lead the party to the path of victory in Plateau State .

He added that Alh. Atiku Abubakar has what it takes to clinch the Presidency come 2023 and take the Nation to enviable height.

“Thank you for honoring and entrusting us with this mandate, we’ll ensure we justify the trust and confidence reposed on us with optimal performance and result-driven leadership.

” We will do our best to ensure that we attract projects that will transform the Senatorial Zone and carry out programmes that will have direct impact on the lives of the people irrespective of their tribal, ethnic, religious and political inclinations.
“We are planning to commission projects in the Federal Constituency and we’ll do more to ensure that all Federal Wards have at least a project.”

“Our plans for Plateau North are great and we will ensure that projects that will have direct bearings to the people are executed across the Senatorial zone” he promised

Elders, Stakeholders and Party Executives who spoke said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the PDP Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Simon Mwadkwon and to assure him of their total supports to him in order to win the main election billed for 2023.

They described the Lawmaker as humble, focused, visionary and friendly..

They also lauded him for the numerous projects he has attracted so far and his focus on human capital development through his strategic empowerment interventions which they said are yielding positive outcomes.

They prayed for resounding victory to him and other Candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

Attai Audu

Worried by the way the just concluded gubernatorial primary of the All Progressive Congress was structured and executed in Plateau State, one of the leading aspirants Dr Patrick Dakum has described the Primary election as a sham and highly compromised by top government officials.

Dr Dakum, a former Commissioner of Health and Information in the state in an interview with newsmen in Jos at the weekend, said the state APC Governorship Primaries election was fraught with irregularities adding that he along with Other aspirants including the state deputy governor Professor Sonni Tyoden who was an aspirant staged a walk out when it was obvious and glaring that the venue had been infiltrated by top government officials, siblings and relations of the governor who
were not delegates.

“The Primary election was highly compromised, marred by intimidation of delegates by siblings, relations of the governor and top Government officials in the State and other avoidable irregularities that tampered with its integrity. The primary election was not a true reflection of the minds of the delegates and party faithfuls, as it fell short of what is expected of an election that should be transparent, free, fair and credible.

” It is not only the aspirants that were robbed but Plateau State because the delegates which represented the state were not given the opportunity to elect who they believe in. It is a set back to our state”

Dr Dakum appreciated all those involved in the “Consolidation Movement”, saying the goal of going into the contest for Governorship is borne out of deep passion for Plateau State, inclusivity in the governance of the State and a deep passion not to “throw the baby with the bath water”.

According to him, it was sadden that during the primaries the Local Government Area that started the election (Qua’an-Pan LGA), only two delegates could write, even when it was obvious that most of them were literate adding that the same thing played out in other Local Government Areas.

He added that the venue was flooded with
Local Government Council Chairmen and officials were around to influence who delegates will vote for as the delegates were not given the opportunity to freely cast their votes for the Aspirant of their choice as an agent of one of the aspirants was the one voting onbehalf of the delegates.

“There was a lot of intimidation on the delegates, you could see them being very terrified as you could see government officials hovering all over the place to ensure the delegates go a particular direction” he said.

Dakum disclosed that he along with other aspirants had to walk out of the venue of the primaries because the result of the Primaries would not reflect the true mind of the APC members in Plateau State and reiterated that the Primaries was compromised and wasn’t in any away produce the best matterial out of the Candidates.

Dr Dakum added that all the aggrieved aspirants have channeled their complaints to the Appeal Committee and awaiting the verdict to know the next line of action to take.

He pointed out that if nothing is done about their petition, he will consult with the stakeholders and people who believe in the consolidation vision to take the appropriate decision.

“I will also put my ears to the spiritual ground to know the conviction God is giving me in my heart, if I am to stay in the party and work for it and the Candidate or otherwise, these are possibilities” he said.

He urged his supporters to stay calm and peaceful as they engage the leadership of the party to look into the issues presented.

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

Attai Audu Jos.

One of the leading All Progressives Congress Presidential Aspirant , Govenor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has Promised to rejig Nigeria current security architecture and introduce modern technology towards tackling the nation’s security challenges if elected President.

Dr Fayemi stated this at the weekend in Jos while interacting with delegates ahead of the party Presidential primaries.

The presidential aspirant who said he has a PhD in War Studies which has afforded him the opportunity to play critical roles in conflict management in many places, even outside the country, stressed that there is no reason why he would hesitate to want to play such a role in his own fatherland.

“I will rejig our security architecture comprehensively, retool our Armed Forces, decentralized our policing system.

“I will improve on intelligence gathering, processing, and actioning and introduce significantly the use of technology; satellite and drone technology in the management of security challenges.

According to him, “These are fundamentals that we must do in order to arrest the current deterioration that we’re witnessing in the security sector.

“But we cannot stop there because the flip side of security is development.

“You cannot have development if you don’t have security and you cannot have security if you don’t have development, because in truth, poverty is violence,” he said.

Fayemi further stressed that when you do not address the sociological underpinnings of crime and criminality ,you are just postponing the evil day.

He said that even if you arrest a few people responsible for it, because of the mutation of crime, where there are no adequate social investments, you would not be able to fully put a stop to it.

The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum stated that there is need to address the extreme inequality in Nigerian society.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari tried and introduced a number of social investment initiatives,but that in his own respectful opinion, he thinks they are too few and far between.

“We need to spend more resources to strengthen the hands of the weak, the poor and the vulnerable in our society.

“It is when we do that, that we can draw people away from those who may become cannon fodder for crime for brigandage for all these merchants of death, and conflict entrepreneurs that we have all over our country,” he added.

Fayemi told the delegates that he would work hard to strengthen national cohesion.

According to him, he believe that the key to strengthening national cohesion is not to overburden the centre.

The Ekiti Governor said that he would devolve responsibilities and resources to the sub national levels.

The former minister for Solid Minerals stated that he was fortunate to have been elected governor twice and also work with his colleagues as their chairman in the country.

“So I know what states are going through and I know that we can build a partnership that works, a partnership that can strengthen the Nigerian unity and that partnership need not be top down.

“It can be coordinates rather than subordinates and it can be a partnership between the centre and the sub nationals,” said.

Responding,Plateau APC Chairman, Hon Bature in his remarks, said that Nigeria need intellectual minds like Fayemi to lead at this point in time.

Bature assured Dr Fayemi that Plateau delegates would critically assess all the aspirants and settle for the best.

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.

Attai Audu Jos

Ahead of 2023 general election, plateau, Women Political Appointees from the Southern zone of the state have thrown their weight behind Governor Simon Bako Lalong for his Senatorial Ambition.

Their Endosement of Lalong came on the heels of the presentation of Nomination and Express of interest to the executive governor by a political group known as legacy group

Coordinator of the group and Commissioner for Education (Secondary) Mrs Elizabeth Wapmuk Petkwap, said governor Lalong who is the chairman of the 19 northern governors forum has Performed excellently well while governing the state through his transformative activities which has drawn him to the people of the state.

Lalong deserves better reward which informed this decision to send him to the National assembly to represent the southern zone as a Senator come 2023 .

The Plateau South Women group spokeswoman, described governor Lalong as an accomplished administrator who has gathered enough experience to represent the zone at the national Assembly

“We have sampled opinions across all the 6 local government areas of the zone and we have come to the conclusion that governor Simon Lalong fits all the qualities our people are yearning for” She stressed.

The group leader described Lalong as qualified and competent for the job.

Hepointed out that Lalong vast experience stands him out and makes him the people’s choice.

She declared that there is no better candidate for the 2023 plateau south senatorial District than Lalong .

She added that the the Rulling All progressive Congress in Plateau state has attracted a large crowd of personalities into the Party which has made the party the dancing bride of the people.

The women political appointees is a group of women appointed into political offices from the six local government areas that make up the Southern Senatorial zone and are ready to ensure the Rescue governor emerge victories at the polls as he is the sole candidate and their choice Senator.

She called on citizens of the southern zone to support the aspirant whose objective is to further transform the Senatorial zone.

Attai Audu Jos

Plateau State Chairman Of All Progressives Congress Hon. Rufus Bature, has debunked online media report credited to him that Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda one of the Governorship Aspirant is not his party member.

According to him, Dr Nantawe is a bonafide member of APC on the Plateau .

Bature in an interview with newsmen in his Rayfield house on Sunday,added that he has never granted any interview to any online media during which he said the aspirant is not a registered member of the party .

Bature further hinted that his Party has not endorsed any Governorship aspirant ,stressing that the APC in the state will Provide a level playing ground for all Governorship aspirants this week during the party primaries in the state.

His words, “My Governor Simon Lalong has not endorse any aspirant, So far nine Governorship aspirants bought the expression of interest / Nomination forms to contest in our great party and they would all be contesting the primaries .”

Bature said, “ there has been no such instruction of endorsing any Aspirant from Mr. Governor and the Party ; we are creating a level playing ground for all aspirants.

“Our party is prepared to continue to provide dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau .Bature stressed .

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Otubi Ogwunewa Jos.

A Jos based Political pressure group” Plateau yearns for Osinbanjo has urged 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 at media interaction in Jos during which 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 .

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 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 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.