Yakubu Wuyep
The Former Chairmanship Candidate of Kanke Local Government Council of Plateau State, CSP James Goleng, Rtd, has disclosed that the spirit of nepotism is gradually destroying politics in Plateau, as elected office holders resort to family and friends’ businesses, siphoning the merger allocation for their own benefit of themselves promoting tribalism, with under developing all sectors.
Speaking to reporters at Dadi Kowa office in Jos South LGA, James Goleng highlighted the challenges of the underdevelopment of Plateau State as the selfishness of past and present leaders using nepotism as a channel of fueling divisive religious rhetoric.
He explained further that it is a government of the family, friends, and associates, where they continue to push for their own children to the detriment of the citizens.
Goleng admitted that what is happening now is that when our leaders are voted into office, the first agenda for implementation is for their family and friends when they start piloting state affairs. Adding, they think of themselves and their closest allies.
So, the spirit of nepotism has hindered them and their vision for the development of our communities, as they feel that we are at the helm of affairs alone.
He disclosed that, “if this democracy is good, then it should be for all and sundry, not just for a few . We have many political parties, and once somebody is there, he turns to look at his winning party, not the opposition parties.
“I want to advise strongly that if someone is elected into government, he or she needs to look around because the country belongs to all of us to benefit from the dividends of democracy. We must take thing serious; we must obey and lay down regulations and then bring people together on board”, he stated.
According to him, the hatred and division here on the Plateau are so terrible which causes the insecurity and lack unity and selfishness among Plateau State leaders; when a leader is selfish and when he is occupying an office, he or she feels higher above, looking down on other ethnic and religious groups.
James called on the Plateau people to unite together and put their past differences behind them and foster development because without unity there won’t be any infrastructural change.
He added that, if elected into office, his topmost priority is to focus more on bringing the people together and harness their potential through meaningful economic reforms and a transformation agenda for the future.
Goleng said the Social media platform was awash with people calling on a particular Chairman from the Southern part of Plateau State to come and give account of his two-year stewardship.
He stated that the Chairman could not have a single project to himself, abandoning his people in spite of the huge funding they’re receiving from the Federal allocation under the aegis of financial autonomy, which is applicable to the 17 LGAs.
Goleng reiterated that the chairmen cannot account for the allocation spending within two and a half years, yet insecurity bedeviling our respective communities has continued without any solution.
Somebody was crying and shouting that a particular council Chairman should come and tell his people what he has done since he entered office two years ago . This is also applicable to all the 17 LGAs.They should come out and tell their people what is happening.
Goleng lampooned them, saying that they were recruited by their godfathers and, when they entered office no blueprint or policy on the ground to improve the well-being of their people.
He advised that if you’re vying for public office, develop programs and policies, particularly if it is water; ensure that you construct earth dams, boreholes, and, when outlined on infrastructure, schools, health centres, Agriculture development, complete the exercise.
We saw politicians aspiring for elections just because they have supporters or godfatherism; they might not likely deliver when they enter office, only for their personal greed, not that of the people.
He added that God has already blessed the State with all the mineral deposits, including our weather, and nobody else is thinking of leaving any legacy behind.
