Plateau Journal

Plateau - Transition chairmen remain in charge of 17 LGAs - Gov Mutfwtang

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Plateau state government yesterday said that transition committee chairpersons are fully in charge of the affairs of the 17 LGAs.

This is contained in a statement signed by Governor Caleb Mutfwtang‘s Director of press and public affairs Gyang Bere, in Jos.

He said the Plateau State High Court on June 23, in suit number PLD/J257M/2023, did not rule that the former local government chairpersons should remain in office.

‘’There was no pronouncement from the presiding Judge that restrained Governor Mutfwang from sacking the 17 former chairmen on the allegation of financial embezzlement,” said the governor.

The court had adjourned until September 22 for all pending applications and substantive originating summons to be taken to enable the court for a composite ruling.

The governor had on June 10 inaugurated an interim transition committee following the suspension of all democratic structures in the areas.

The suspended chairpersons took Governor Mutfwang to court over their suspension from office.

In the suit, they said their purported suspension was unconstitutional.

They argued that the power to remove them for gross misconduct does not reside with the state assembly or the governor.

They stated that the procedure for removing a local government chairperson is explicitly set out in section 37 of the Local Government Council Law.

They specifically asked the court to invoke its interpretative jurisdiction to determine, among others, whether the governor has the power to terminate, suspend, truncate, or disturb our tenure in light of section 7 of the constitution.

They argued that the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is guaranteed under this constitution.

Prominent Plateau Lawyer Bar Danjuma Domven Rimdan Celebrates 50 years Call to bar

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Prominent Lawyer in Plateau state Bar Danjuma Domven Rimdan , would lead Senior Lawyers in the state to a Thanksgiving's service for his 50th anniversary of his Call-to-Bar.

A member of his Law firm Bar Ben Daze , dropped the hint of the anniversary celebration to our correspondent in Jos .

He added that the Foremost lawyer and a primus inter pares clocked 50 Years of practice as a lawyer on Friday .

According to Bar Daze , "The Thanksgiving anniversary Church service billed to hold at the COCIN Headquarters Church on Sunday would bring together lawyers in the state and county at large ."

In his words " Our father and mentor Bar Danjuma Domven Rimdan was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1973 ."

" The Thanksgiving is to appreciate God in Bar Rimdan's life and to forge a common front on how to strengthen the practice of the legal profession, and contribute more meaningfully to the national development.

Daze added that " Fifty -years post-call is indeed and unarguably a huge, glorious and uncommon milestone, worthy of celebration and thanksgiving."

He said the lawyer has mentored so many Lawyers in Plateau and the Nation at large .

"When we look back, 50 years ago in the life of our mentor , we certainly have so much to be grateful for."

“Bar Rimdan has done exceedingly well, and indeed in Jos and Nigeria as a whole ".

Daze stated that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to make the anniversary hitch free for the celebrant.

Plateau APC staunchly objects N15B Loan approval by Plateau assembly

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

The All Progressive Congress( APC) in Plateau state on Thursday said it objects the 15 billion naira loan approved by the state House of assembly inorder for Governor Caleb Mutfwang to enable him pay outstanding salaries and procure agricultural facilities for farmers in the state .

Our correspondent reports that the request letter of Governor Caleb Mutfwang was deliberated during Thursday's plenary session on the floor of the house of assembly

Almost all the lawmakers approved the request by the Governor, saying that they were in support of the request .

In a swift response the APC in Plateau in a statement signed by Hon Sylvanus Namang,
APC State Publicity Secretary and made available to newsmen in Jos reads that Our attention has been drawn to a report circulating in the social media which we have confirmed to be factual that the Plateau State House of Assembly has today, approved a loan of N15B as requested by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in just less than 3 weeks of the PDP administration in the state.

The All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, being a critical stakeholder in the Plateau project, seriously objects this loan acquisition as it is a killer pill by the desperate and unnecessarily hasty PDP administration which is known to have no regards for due process or walking the talk.

The statement reads that " The two- third majority enjoyed by the Plateau State House of Assembly is obviously not a licence for recklessness and arbitrariness which if left unchecked, Plateau State would be worse for more turbulent days ahead."

" The reasons advanced for the loan are as unconvincing as they are not tenable. "

According to the reports, the loans are to be deployed for recurrent purposes as the payment of salaries and purchase of fertiliser which on the surface, the government wants to deceive the workforce which has been on strike that it cares for their welfare and the farming community in the state.

The APC in Plateau state sees this as a facade and an attempt to pull the wool across the people's eyes. The government having failed to install Interim Administrators in the local goverments to serve as condiut pipes, decided to go for the N15 billion loan as an alternative to service its extra budgetary commitments.

Government is a continuum and the past dispensation had made adequate budgetary provisions for payment of workers' salaries and very essential products like fertiliser given the fact that Plateau State is largely an agrarian state.

This bogus N15 billion loan approval is particularly more worrisome because for a loan to be collected, the following steps as clearly spelt out in the Plateau State Debt Management Law, passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor and which have not been repealed must be duly and deligently followed before any financial institution, local or foreign can consider.

First, the State Debt Management Advisory Committee must sit to discuss the purpose and necessity of the loan for the state.

Furthermore, Plateau State cannot operate as if we are under a military junta where things are done by fiat. For a serios issue as loan acquisition of this magnitude, the State Executive council must approve such loan before forwarding to the House of Assembly for deliberation.

The statement also reads that " Exco Approval must then be transmitted to the House of Assembly for their discussion and approval which cannot be passed as was done today at its very first formal sitting as Members of the 10th House of Assembly. "

Mandatorily, such approvals by the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly would then be forwarded to Ministry of Finance and Debt Management Department to further process.

These two agencies are to do other processes such as; Raising of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) seeking for the Debt Management Office and Minister of Finance approval before any serious financial commitment can be considered.

The important questions we need to ask are these:

Is there a State Executive Council presently constituted in the state? To the best of our knowledge, what is on ground is the Governor, his Deputy and the Attorney General, whom we believe himself and the Governor being lawyers, ought to be conversant with this simple governance process.

Secondly, has the Debt Management Advisory Committee been constituted in the state to discuss the loan based on the Law?

Thirdly if in three weeks we are taking a loan of N15B, what will be the debt position of the state in four years from now? Simple Arithmetic would put this at N720 billion!

If this same Government is complaining of huge debt profile of N200 billion on Plateau State after 24 years of three successive Governments, which they have mischievously presented to the public as debts obtained by the immediate past administration, why are they quick to take another humongous loan?

Finally, we want to suggest that due deligence should be followed because the entire world is watching.

Certainly what is happening in Plateau state within these three weeks is mind-boggling which we are constrained to ask what these advisers who are being appointed piecemeal are telling the governor who is supposed to know and toe the path of caution.

The governor should be wary of certain characters he has appointed as Special Advisers to oversee the affairs of critical institutions as the House of Assembly who apart from lacking in capacity would always only feed him with toxic advice.

We advise the three- week old Plateau state government to embark on issues of immediate concern to the people of the state which security should be accorded the first priority as our people are being incessantly killed and displaced by wicked and heartless murderers.

Breaking - Gov Mutfwang appoints Latep Dabang SA Political affairs ,makes other appointments

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang ,has appointed former Chairman of the APC Latep Dabang as his Special Adviser on Political affairs.

A statement made available to newsmen and signed by Arc Samuel Nanchang Jatau the Secretary to the Government of Plateau reads that also the Governor has approved Dr Raymond Juryit as the Executive Secretary of the Plateau state Primary Health care development board .

The statement further reads that Hon Pirfa Tyem ,has been appointed as Special Adviser domestic resources mobilization .

Also appointed by the Governor is Dr Dominic Datong as Director General Plateau state information communication agency

The statement also reads that Gov Mutfwang has set up a 15 man committee to look into the employment carried out by the immediate past administration in the state .

More details coming

Breaking - Plateau Assembly approves Governor Mutfwang's N15b loan request

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

The Plateau State House of Assembly has approved Governor Caleb Mutfwang's request to raise N15 billion from the money market to enable him pay outstanding salaries and procure agricultural facilities for farmers in the state .

The request letter was deliberated during Thursday's plenary session on the floor of the house of assembly

Almost all the lawmakers approved the request by the Governor, saying that they were in support of the request .

More details coming soon

Plateau APC accuses PDP of threating , blackmailing the judiciary

Says threat should not be treated with levity by the appropriate authorities

By Golok Nanmwa Jos

All Progressives Congress in Plateau State on Friday accused the People's Democratic party PDP in the state of threating and blackmailing the Judiciary .

This was contained in a statement signed by
Hon Sylvanus Namang,, the APC State Publicity Secretary in Plateau and made available to newsmen in Jos .

The statement reads that " The APC as in recent times witnessed how a faction of the PDP in the state has resorted to very desperate moves all in a bid to "protect" what it calls its "God - given" mandate.

This was amply demonstrated by the very irresponsible, satanic and inciting press conference by the factional Publicity Secretary of the PDP, John Akans which is replete with venomous invectives.

This seriously calls for concern as it has grave implications for the peace, unity and security of the state.

For instance, in its penchant for casting aspersions on the judiciary and attempt to divide its ranks, the PDP in the state called on the judiciary, (we wonder which judiciary) to "monitor the proceedings of the Plateau Governorship Tribunal to the Supreme Court as as they should not upturn the people's choice which will be totally unacceptable to the people"

The incititement did not stop there but continued thus;
" We also want to caution here that the Imo state scenario cannot be re - enacted in the state beceause it will be vehemently opposed by the generality of the people of Plateau state".

This open threat and blackmail of the judiciary should not be treated with levity by the appropriate authorities.

The very desperate emperor and violent wing wing of the PDP in Plateau state has started waging war on innocent citizens of the state over fear of the unknown.

It is rather sad that of late, this particular wing of the PDP in the state has as part of its diversionary and scar tactics, chosen to pain an apprehensive picture of violence and ungovernability of the state if the Election Tribunal rules otherwise.

What a reckless way of of denigrating and smearing the image of the judiciary which is not only a hallowed temple of justice but the last hope of arbitration for the common man.

The PDP had, out of its usual disrespect for the judiciary, tried to malign the integrity of the highly - reverred and accomplished Jurist and President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna'an Dongban Mensem CFR, a well respected daughter of Plateau state, throwing caution to the wins in a sheer desperation and needless apprehension.

Also in their present confused state, they have tried to divide the ranks of the APC in the state by attacking the party's campaign council spokesman, Sh*ttu Bamaiyi and our very reputable gubernatorial candidate, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda who is patiently and waiting unperturbed to retrieve his mandate through legal means via our judicial system.

We simply laugh when on one side, the desperate and confused PDP is using all sorts of sentiments, including the GOSA one which both the APC and PDP gubernatorial candidates belong, for our candidate to withdraw his case from the tribunal and on the other side, referring to his petition as empty and shadow chasing!

On this we just want to say that time shall tell and in no distant time from now who has the mandate of the people.

In all the foregoing, what we can easily decode from John Akan's utterly irresponsible press conference is the party's macabre dance, a dance of the death. If not, how can somebody who claims to have won an election be so afraid of facing the tribunal?

As a party, the APC in Plateau state sees the on going Tribunal sitting in Jos as a most welcome development for, as part of the electoral process, it is also an avenue for testing the integrity of the General Elections in the state.

As a Law abiding Party, we shall do everything humanly possible not to undermine the process but to ensure that the Tribunal operates in a very hitch- free and peaceful manner, the statement further reads .

Plateau APC urge Police to open Assembly complex for legislative business

" Insists Ex Speaker Abok had been impeached for alleged financial misdemeanour "

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State on Thursday urged the State Commissioner of Police to intervene in the crisis at the Plateau State House of Assembly, after Hon Nuhu Abok, who the party described as an impostor, was reinstated as Speaker of the House.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos , the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Hon. Slyvanus Namang, stressed that Abok had been impeached in October 2021 for a financial misdemeanour and his seat had been vacated following his defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Namang, Abok officially resigned his membership in the APC in March 2022 and defected to the PDP.

He added that the attention of the House and the State Party Chairman was drawn to the defection while Section 109 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was invoked and his seat vacated.

Therefore, Abok ceased to be a member of the House and communicated the same to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The judgment purportedly passed in favour of the former Speaker, supposedly reinstating him to the office of Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, which he had ceased to be a member of since March 22, 2022, and whose seat had been vacated, was a big surprise to the party,” Namang said.

He further explained that following the defendant’s dissatisfaction with the High Court judgment of April 3, 2023, the Counsel representing the government of Plateau State, as well as the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Sanda, the Clerk of the House, and ten other members, immediately filed a notice of appeal and motion of stay of ex*****on and injunction, which processes were served on the sheriff of the High Court, adding that service was also effected on Abok both electronically and physically.

Namang added that for Abok, who is a nonmember and who has been duly served with the Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Ex*****on of the judgment or injunction, to resort to self-help by storming the House and pretending to be back in the office as Speaker outside the known procedure for enforcement of judgment under Nigerian Law, was simply an invitation to chaos and anarchy, which had no place in any society governed by the Rule of Law.

He called on the State Commissioner of Police and the Plateau State Police Command to put a stop to the excesses of Hon Abok and the PDP’s encouragement of him to exhibit lawlessness.

According to Namang " The Plateau State Command is duty-bound to provide security and protection to the legitimate members of the Assembly to enable them to continue to discharge their statutory duty of lawmaking devoid of any interference by hoodlums and imposters,”.

He called on members of the APC to continue to support the party at all times .

Plateau 2023 - I will not allow the collective aspirations of the people to be subverted - Dr Nentawe

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

All Progressives Congress governorship Candidate Nentawe Yilwatda has threatened that he cannot allow the collective aspirations and interests of the people of Plateau state to be subverted.

Spokesman for Generation Next Campaign Council Sh*ttu Bamaiyi in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Friday quoted Nentawe as saying that he would be the last person to allow the people of Plateau state to be short changed, in any way by its enemies.

According to him, the conspiracy theory perpetrated against him by two former Governors and one from outside the state, would certainly crash like a pack cards very soon adding that he is ready to go the whole hog legally, in protecting and promoting the collective will and interest of the state.

Nentawe stated that having gone into partnership and agreement with the people to chart a new course for the state, it is unacceptable to allow the so -called result of the governorship election to stand.

He stated that it is gladenning that some facts are beginning to emerge on how the people's decision and choice was frustrated by an organised riggers from within and outside the state.

Nentawe cited the case of total vote discrepancies recorded in Mangu and Jos-South local government areas as well as the recovered BVA machines which were hitherto declared missing in Jos -North local government area.

The APC governorship Candidate described the so-called result of the governorship election as a temporary set-back, saying it has not anyway dampened him but further strengthened and emboldened his mission and vision for the state.

Nentawe charged his teeming supporters to remain steadfast, resilient and unshaken as sooner or later they would reclaim their mandate.

PRESS RELEASE

NENTAWE SENDS GOOD WILL MESSAGE TO MOSLEM UMMAH.22/3/23

The All Progressives Congress governorship Candidate in Plateau state Nentawe Yilwatda has sent a goodwill message to the Moslem Ummah on the commencement of Ramadan fast.

Spokesman for Generation Next Campaign Council Sh*ttu Bamaiyi quotes Nentawe as saying that it is heartwarming and gratifying that the Moslems are starting, yet another one of their sacred religious obligations all over the world.

He noted that the Ramadan fast as one of the five pillars of Islam is no doubt very important and significant in the life every moslem.

Nentawe remarked that more than anything particularly at this time, Moslems need to imbibe and display all the virtues as well as lessons associated with the the holy month.

According to him, the Ramadan which is aimed at inculcating in mankind, the spirit of endurance, perseverance,sharing and love, coming immediately after the country's general elections is no doubt instructive.

Nentawe charged the Moslem Ummah to commit the country in prayer and also seek the face of the Almighty Allah in tackling the issues of insecurity, poverty, religious and ethnic disharmony among the people.

While wishing the Moslems a successful Ramadan fast, Nentawe enjoined them to use the holy month to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Sign
Sh*ttu Bamaiyi
Spokesman Generation Next Campaign Council.

I dedicate my victory over EFCC to God, says Senator Jang.

" My judicial journey of the past 4 years is not something to wish even the greatest of my enemies " he stressed .

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Immediate past Governor of Plateau state Dr Jonah Jang has dedicated his victory at the Jos court over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to God .

Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos had on Friday discharged and acquitted the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Jonah Jang, over the N6.3 billion corruption charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Our correspondent reports that the court presided over by Justice Christy Dabup also discharged and acquitted a former cashier in the office of the Secretary to the Plateau state government, Yusuf Pam, who was accused alongside the former governor.

“I want to dedicate the victory to the Almighty God and also thank the people for all their support,” he said.

The Ex Governor added that he must confess that he had known from the onset that leadership was not an easy task but he stepped out to make a difference, having been a Military Administrator in two states.

Jang in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Jos added that "The benevolence of the Plateau people and the grace of God made me the Governor of Plateau State from 2007-2015. My previous experience as a Military Administrator and the driving force which was to leave a mark on the plateau as I did in my previous assignments never changed."

In his words " It was with this zeal and drive that we implemented the 10-point Agenda anchored on a 3-Pillar policy to deliver the dividends of democracy for our dear state. "Our desire to open up the state through infrastructural development was audible to the deaf and visible to the blind. This we were able to achieve with the meagre resources that accrued to the State at the time, in addition to the IGR raised in the state."

Ex Governor Jang who was also one time Senator representing Plateau North further added that "Our Administration’s record speaks for itself as the state is dotted with developmental strides that affect the economy of the state and the daily livelihoods of the people. "Our primary role as a government was to provide security of lives, property and welfare through the provision of services for our people. We had done that to the best of our abilities via prudent management of the resources available to us, such that the average Plateau citizen could eke a living for himself."

"
It is, however unfortunate that people whom I will best describe, for now, as the champions of retrogression and enablers of hardship for our people, came after us with bogus and fictitious claims of mismanagement. "

"Thereby necessitating a protracted judicial journey of over 4 years, trying to prove our innocence in the courts.
Because I knew that I was not guilty of the charges preferred against me, I saw the process as mere persecution and not a prosecution. Nigerians are witnesses to the fact that the current administration at all levels has spent more time passing the buck of their failure to the previous administration than they have given attention to governance. Little wonder, almost eight years after, it will seem that our achievements stand tall while the present Government has little or nothing to show for the goodwill that it enjoyed.

Narrating his ordeal ,Jang also said " I spent over a week in EFCC detention and another 10 days in the Jos Custodial Centre (prison). Those times we spent there, gave us another perspective on life and I count it a blessing because it has all ended today with this loud and clear vindication by the courts. "

"The tortuous journey leading to my vindication today has only strengthened me to stand more on the path of truth and continue to work assiduously with well-meaning plateau people and Nigerians for the good of our dear state, Plateau and the nation at large."

I hold no grudge against anyone as I consider whatever I have gone through as the price I had to pay for choosing the path of leadership.

I give God the glory for bringing me through and I call on all Plateau sons and daughters, including people of goodwill on the plateau not to wish our leaders bad. Let us close ranks and speak with one voice so that Plateau will emerge out of its current state to take its rightful place of pride as the envy of other states. The Plateau we have always known and been proud of has taken backstage but the onus is on us the reclaim our state and build it to the land of our dreams as was planned by our founding fathers and the generation of past leaderships.

I dedicate my victory in the court to God and the people of Plateau State with whom we worked to build a prosperous land. I thank the entire legal team led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN and Barrister Edward Pwajok SAN, my family who suffered all kinds of harassment and denigration through this period for standing firm and believing with me that it was only a phase that would pass.

" I am deeply grateful to my friends and associates for upholding me and all those who were persecuted alongside me in prayers and for their commitment to true friendship and camaraderie. I must thank the Judiciary for standing firm on the side of truth and justice not forgetting the Press on the Plateau for their unbiased coverage . "

The judicial journey of the past 4 years is not something to wish even the greatest of your enemies.

Jang also added that It was not only distracting but robbed me of the time and attention to pursue personal goals.

I had planned on retiring to my home place in Du but I, unfortunately, had to go out of my way to keep sourcing funds to pay my lawyers to secure representation in court.

"As genuine as those efforts are, freedom is better. We give God all of the glory and continue to rest in Him, for only in Him is true freedom guaranteed.".

Just in - Alhaji Ibrahim Masari has announced his withdrawal as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Just in

Asiwaju Tinubu Might Have Likely Picked Senator Shettima From Borno State As His Running Mate ,

A Close Source To Asiwaju Tinubu Described His Running Mate As A Former Governor And Current Senator. Description Matches Only One Person Out Of The 4 Names Which Is Shettima

Asiwaju Will Meet President Buhari To Inform Him soon as he is currently in Katsina state

Just in

Asiwaju Tinubu Arrives Kastina State To Visit President Muhammadu Buhari In Daura For Sallah.

PHOTOS: Police Arrest Wanted Terror Suspect In Nasarawa

The police command in Nasarawa State has arrested one of the terror suspects, who escaped from Kuje prison on Tuesday.

The suspect, Hassan Hassan, was one of those whose name and picture were released by the Nigerian Correctional Service on Friday.

Photo credit: Sunday Collins
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Federal lawmaker Hon Yusuf Gagdi felicitates with Muslims on Eid Kabir, distributes 430 rams ,two trailers of rice

By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

No fewer than 430 rams and 1700 (50kg, 25kg and 10kg) bags of rice were distributed to Muslim constituents of Pankshin Kanke Kanam PKK by the member representing the constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, to facilitate a hitchfree 2022 Eid-el-Kabir celebration for the beneficiaries.

A statement signed by the Gagdi media team reads that it is a sacrosanct tradition of the lawmaker to distribute food items and cash donations to his constituents during festive period in tandem with the spirit of giving and to also assist the less privileged members of the constituency celebrate without much hassle, this has been a yearly ritual he has maintained since 2015, when he was elected to the State Assembly.

This year's celebration came at a time prices of foodstuffs and animals have skyrocketed, jeopardizing the chances of many households to provide for their families, hence the lawmaker's intervention comes handy, as attested to by many of the beneficiaries.

Traditional rulers, party officials, various youths and support groups, as well as religious leaders from Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam local government areas benefitted from the lawmaker's gesture, and were appreciative of the intervention.

Cash support raging from 10 thousand to 50 thousand naira were distributed to those some selected perambulation alongside the rams and rice to different individuals and groups to assist in buying soup ingredients. The cash distribution totals 5 million naira.

About 81 rams were shared to salaried village heads within Kanam Traditional Council, 25 to Jahr Chiefdom and 50 to Kanam Emirate Council, making a total of 156 to the entire traditional institution in Kanam LGA.

30, 10 and 12 rams were distributed to Imams of Jummat mosques in Kanam, Pankshin and Kanke local government areas respectively. Similarly, distribution committees in Kanam alongside leadership of KPY and Jos got 33 and 15 rams respectively.

Friends and relations got 54 rams, Jos based stakeholders got 50 while the Kanam APC caucus got 27 and some youth groups got 25 rams.

As for rice distribution, Imams of Jummat mosques got 234 bags, 500 bags were distributed to stakeholders in PKK, VOGA officials shared 100 bags, Babayo boys got 100 bags, youth groups in PKK got 300 bags, Kanam LGA Exco and Ward Chairmen 41 bags, while 247 bags were shared to village heads and traditional rulers.