Yakubu Busari
The deepening crisis within the People Democratic Party, PDP, if not nipped in the bud may become a good omen for the All Progressive Congress, APC, ahead of the 2019 General Election.
The crisis Rocking the PDP is taken another fresh political undertone where the immediate past Governor, Sen. Jonah David Jang is alleged still have control of PDP party structures in the state where most of the former chairmen, councilors and commissioners are still answerable and loyal to him.
It was however gathered the party leaders are seriously pushing the party into a political graveyard based on their ethnic affiliations and that this might cause heavy casualties for the PDP as history may repeat itself again when the same Jang in 2015 pushed for late GNS Pwajok of blessed memory.
The relationship between Jeremiah and Jang started way back in ANPP when the Late Solomon Daushep Lar imposed the former Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye in 1998 primaries as he changed the outcome of the election but that didn’t go down well with the supporters of Jang and they all embarked on political journey and Jang was immediately compensated with a board member of NNPC.
The former Governor Joshua Dariye smartly used late Chief Solomon Daushep Lar to rise and became strong political bigwig even as it was gathered that the former Senate President Ibrahim Mantu displayed his arsenal to fight Dariye up to the extent where a state of Emergency was imposed in the State in 2006, an action that which paved way for late Chief Michael Botmang to spearhead the affairs of governance of the State for a six months period.
In a bid to scatter the Tarok and take the revenge on Useni, there is this allegation of Sen. Jonah David Jang selling Useni brother-in-law to crack the PDP high ranking thereby creating disaffiliation and disaffection.
Besides the politics of tribalism and ethnic bigots ravaging the politics of Plateau state, we also see the growing numbers of political jesters warning up to promote a culture of impunity imposing of candidates to gangsters for their agenda.
The crisis within PDP and political issues of killings, maiming of innocent citizens by suspected herdsmen militia that no arrest was made since the returning of democracy in 1999, voters had continued to suffer casualties of loss of lives and devastation of farmlands.
Meanwhile, rumors has it that former Governor Joshua Dariye in last minute meetings with top politicians from the State who are seeking his hand of blessings has thereby turned Kuje prison yards into a tourist center thereby making it their political meeting center.
In an effort to scuttle the PDP there is strong indication going round that some top politicians who participated in the just concluded primaries that saw Sen Jeremiah Useni emerging as the flag bearer are alleged to be regrouping against his candidature.
Secret meetings are being held behind closed doors somewhere in Rayfield had decided to bring Useni wife’s younger brother, Brig General John Timlong as the candidate of Action Democratic Party, ADP.
It would be recalled that recently a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu found the former Plateau State governor, Senator Joshua Dariye, guilty of fraud.
Dariye was in 2007 charged to court on a 23-count charge for alleged fraud while in office by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Banjoko found him guilty of breach of trust in count 1 of misappropriating N1.16 billion Ecological Fund meant for the state, count 2 (N160m), count 7 (N16.8m) and count 4 for the N250 million issued to Pinnacle Communications emanating from the state’s Ecological Fund.
According to the EFCC, the former governor diverted N1.16 billion into the account of Ebenezer Ratnen Venture, which is alleged to be one of the companies through which he allegedly siphoned the public funds.
Justice Banjoko said Dariye was, in fact, richer than his state, and “there should be no compromise to corruption by whatever shade or color, rich or poor”.
Dariye is a serving senator representing Plateau West under the aegis of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, to which he decamped in 2016. While in PDP, he was Governor of Plateau State from 1999 until November 2006, when he was impeached by the state’s House of Assembly.
It will be recalled that a roundtable discussion on the above subject matter was held at Multipurpose Hall, Dengi on the 16th June 2018. All aspirants from the two constituencies in Kanam for Plateau State House Assembly, Federal House of Representatives (PKK) and Plateau Central Senatorial District from Kanam were invited. All the political parties that have their presence in Kanam were also identified and invited for the program. A number of issues were veraciously discussed, a number of Kanam interests in 2019 General Elections were itemized and recommendations were advanced. The Communique is hereby released as the product of the roundtable.
2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ROUNDTABLE
The idea of the roundtable was conceived by the leadership of the following Associations: Kanam Development Association (KADA), Kanam Youth Council (KYC), Kanam Youth Coalition for Democratic Advancement (KYCDA), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Kanam Students Association (KANSA), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bogghom Youth Movement, and Jhar Youth Movement with the view to identify, adumbrate and discuss our various interests as a people with community leaders, religion organizations, opinion leaders, trade unions, youth, women and development Associations as well as the different political parties in Kanam with a view to presenting a common front that may be acceptable by the people of Kanam and map out strategies for actualizing it with 2019 general elections in our minds.
3. ISSUES FROM THE ROUNDTABLE
The following issues and fundamental observations were raised during the discussion.
I. For far too long, there is little or no presence of Kanam people at Federal electable positions in the form of Senators or Reps Members and there was none in the Federal Executive Council.
II. There is also little other than the normal House of Assembly members and Commissioners that represent Kanam in the State Assembly and Plateau State Executive Council respectively, hence the issue number IV and V below.
III. There are problems of tribal, sectional and religious differences that have been the underlying considerations for electing and appointing sons and daughters of Kanam in the Local, State and Federal Government positions.
IV. Kanam people are treated as second-class indigenes in plateau state as evident in issue numbered (V) below.
V. There are many uncompleted and/or abandoned state government projects in Kanam as a result of issues number II and III above.
VI. Kanam has been used as a hunting ground for political powers for others who have little or no regard for our interests.
VII. There are misplaced of priorities among us where people tilt towards personal aggrandizement at the expense of community development. Some or most of the elites and the political class are seen mortgaging our group and community interest for their selfish interests.
VIII. Politics with bitterness has become the order of the day with seriously warring factions within same political party undermining the peace and security of Kanam LGA.
IX. Kanam is abundantly blessed with men and women of various capacities and undespicable characters who can be trusted for any leadership position in Nigeria and beyond.
X. Our local zoning arrangement in the State Assembly, PKK and the Senate are, at our expense if not being respected and adhered to.
XI. There is inadequate political education among our people especially the rural dwellers. There is also an ugly trend in the form of political thuggery among the youth.
4. THE INTEREST OF KANAM
In line with the aforementioned objective, the following were identified, among many, as the various interests of the people of Kanam LGA in 2019 General Elections and beyond.
I. There is the urgent need for at least a kanam man to represent us in either of the two chambers of the National Assembly.
II. There is also the urgent need for the present elected and appointed sons and daughters of Kanam as well as the incumbent representatives of the people of Kanam in the National Assembly and the National and state executive Council regardless of their political parties and/or ideologies to close ranks and identify with, respect and promote the interest and aspirations of the people of Kanam.
III. It is also among the long-term interests of Kanam to be considered for the positions of Deputy Governor and/or SSG in the State.
5. POSITION OF THE ROUND TABLE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
I. 2019 General Elections presents a particularly unique opportunity for Kanam people to ply their trades by contesting and strongly challenging for political incumbencies especially at the level of Federal House Representatives in the PKK.
II. Kanam people especially the elites and the political class should start participating through contesting and strongly challenging for all electable positions that are available at the federal level.
III. With 2019 around the conner, stakeholders are advised to close ranks, harmonize their interests and be seen working together for the actualization of what the discussion termed as Kanam project, 2019.
IV. Elected and appointed officials from Kanam should prioritize issues of human empowerment by exploring windows of employment opportunities, promoting skill acquisition programs, scholarship schemes, disbursements, and philanthropy among others.
V. There was also the need for a paradigm shift from the politics of the old to the politics of the new breed. Determined and focused young indigenes of Kanam should be supported while the old garnish them with their experience and guidance in order to succeed.
VI. Party officials and delegates are advised in to first and foremost be supportive of Kanam projects especially in the primary elections of their respective parties and use it with wisdom as a bargaining tool to secure votes of delegates from other LGAs.
VII. Zoning as a gentleman arrangement should be respected by all and sundry.
VIII. Conveners of the roundtable should embark on sensitization campaign by organizing lectures and discussion that can promote political education among our people.
IX. Our stakeholders must find good reasons to forgive one another and eschew bitterness so that our dreams for Kanam project will be actualized.
X. Another roundtable should be organized by the same conveners before and after all party primaries in order to galvanize our people on the need identify and support anybody from Kanam, irrespective of political party, section, tribes, and religion who may emerge as a candidate for any of the seats in the National Assembly and Plateau State.
6. CONCLUSION
The roundtable was assessed by many participants, commentators, and observers as one of the laudable initiatives that should have come much earlier than now. The people of Kanam need an umbrella that will bring them together and rub minds like this.
While impressing on the people, in the best interest of Kanam and Kanam project, to embrace the outcome of this discussion, the conveners are expected to go beyond discussions in the hall in order to reach out to the government and people in the villages with the messages of the roundtable.
The conveners should work out a reliable synergy with all concern parties in PKK and Plateau Central Senatorial Politics with the view to negotiate on the interest of the good people of Kanam as it relates to 2019 and beyond.
Our sincere appreciation goes to the conveners for finding us worthy of this assignment towards the progress and development of Kanam Local Government Area.