Jos – Outgoing Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang has commissioned an ultra modern Government House complex built at the cost of N15billion even though the incoming administration of Simon Lalong has said he will not make use the edifice as the cost is outrageous. Governor Jang who commissioned other projects which his administration initiated including road networks also named a 7.50km Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH road constructed at the cost of N3.7billion after former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Jonah Jang
He said he named the road after the ex-President because he started building the Teaching Hospital during his tenure as the Military Head of State and the ex-President asked him to build the access road leading to the hospital. The governor equally commissioned three fire-fighting trucks and one hydraulic pump bought at the cost of N7.84million.
According to governor, “Plateau state did not have a befitting Government House, we kept moving from one place to another but this is a permanent structure dedicated to the people of Plateau state.
“In this Government House, there is an ultra modern clinic which will cater for the health need of the people. I dedicate this clinic to the children of Plateau who are the future of the State.” Jang however described the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Plateau state workers as an “unpatriotic, mischievous and baseless action” which does not speak well of the state.
He commended the Chairmen of the 17 local government areas of the State for successfully utilizing funds meant for the Councils to justify his intention of not tampering with local government funds. He explained “the non payment of salaries is not applicable to Plateau state alone but other Labour unions in their respective states did not down tools as it has now become a tradition in Plateau state for civil servants to always welcome new government with unnecessary strike.”
He added, “I am proud of the local government chairmen who work under my administration and ensured that they created diverse projects that have impacted positively on the lives people at the grassroots.” Jang thanked the people of the State for the support accorded him in the past eight years and urged them to accord such support to the incoming administration of the Governor-elect, Bar. Simon Lalong.
Plateau State Governor, Jonathan Jang, has asked the people of the Northern region to be patient and wait till 2019 when President Goodluck Jonathan would have completed his second term in office.
Jang, who spoke at a town hall meeting in Pankshin and Mangu local government areas on Thursday, urged northerners to vote for Jonathan and all the Peoples Democratic Party candidates in today’s election.
He said the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (retd.), was removed as head of state by his colleagues in the military because he lacked focus.
“If Buhari did not perform as head of state, he will not do anything as a civilian President and therefore lacks the credentials to represent the North,” he said.
The governor, who decried what he called skewed distribution of Permanent Voter Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state, said he was optimistic that with the PVCs so far distributed, Plateau would deliver 1.8 million votes to Jonathan.
Jang said, “We need a President that will consolidate on the achievements so far recorded in the power sector, we have the trains moving today and the corruption that had been alarming in the agricultural sector has been tackled. Farmers now get fertiliser without hitches. So, the North should be patient and allow President Jonathan to finish his second tenure in 2019.”
The Senator representing Plateau Central, Chief Joshua Dariye, urged all political stakeholders to vote for Jonathan.
“We should take the Saturday (today) election very seriously because we cannot afford to underrate the opposition,” he said.
The PDP governorship candidate in the state, Senator Gyang Pwajok, said the task of re-electing Jonathan and other PDP candidates was a collective responsibility that must be pursued vigorously.
The executive governor of Plateau State, Jonah Janah has transferred his son from being his Special Adviser on Special Duties, to a commissioner.
R-L; Governors Martins Elechi, Godswill Akapbio, Segun Mimiko; Deputy Governor Kogi, Yomi Awoniyi, Governors Jonah Jang, T Orji and Others after their meeting recently in Abuja. PHOTO; Sinday Aghaeze
Jonah named his son, Yakubu as the state commisioner for Lands and Urban Planning after the former commissioner, Mr. Yilji Gomwalk was named as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Gyang Pwajok.
The Commissioner of Information, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar who disclosed the new development said Yakubu replaced Yilji for the purpose of continuation in governance.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate has appealed to those who contested with him to join hands with him to work towards the development and growth of the state.
Pwajok promised to continue the good work of the present governor, adding that his plan is to run an all-inclusive government.
He made this assertion in Jos on Sunday while addressing newsmen. He said “I see my emergence as the manifestation of what God wants to do in Plateau State. Mine will be an all-inclusive government as my campaign slogan, Greater Together, has shown.”
The governorship candidate said his plans is to make the dream of the youth come true by bridging the generational gap.
Political Reawakening Support Team, a youth group has advised the governorship candidate to look beyond the primaries and concentrate on winning the election in 2015.
The youth who seems to have confidence in Pwajok said in Jos on Sunday that the PDP candidate emegence emergence is a dream come through as they have been yawning for one of their own to be a state governor.
The spokespersons, Messr Jonathan and Mr. John Ibrahim pledges to do their part to make sure the PDP aspirant become the governor in next year election
Renewed violence has erupted in four villages in the Bachit District of Riyom Local Government area of Plateau State as 12 persons were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen and many houses including that of late Senator Gyang Dantong burnt.
The midnight raids which took place Thursday also saw one security personnel attached to the Special Task Force, STF killed.
A villager who did not want to be named said the four villages were attacked simultaneously at about 1am and hundreds of people displaced.
However, Majority Leader and Member representing Riyom Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem who confirmed the attack said nine people were killed in a simultaneous attack carried out by Fulani herdsmen who also burnt houses including that of late Sen. Gyang Dantong.
Dem added that rumours had been ongoing since last week about impending attacks on the communities but no one believed them because of series of meetings which had been held and the fragile peace which residents were enjoying for sometime now.
He said normalcy was restored as a result of intervention of the operatives of the Special Task Force, but called for adequate security measures in the affected communities to enable the villagers continue with normal activities.
Hon. Dem also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the victims with relief materials to cushion the effect of the attack.
Meanwhile, Spokesman of the Special Task Force, STF Captain Iweha Ikedichi could not be reached for comments.
A major crisis has engulfed the nine-year-old Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State, over allegation of financial impropriety levelled against the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Sam Ale.
Ale, said to be an in-law to the governor, was the immediate past Director General of the National Mathematical Centre from where he was appointed the chairman of the council.
The petitioners, who called themselves stakeholders in the university had alleged that despite the fact that all the courses in the university have not been accredited by all the relevant authorities, the management, led by the pro chancellor are busy chasing shadows and appropriating contracts to themselves and their cronies.
Apart from the concerned stakeholders, another petition from a group called Plateau Patriots, has also been sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The petition details some financial graft and misappropriation against the chairman of the council.
Our correspondent gathered that the allegations were so strong that Jang has queried the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Danjuma Sheni, on how such vital documents relating to university administration should be in the hands of the petitioners.
Our correspondent gathered that the VC had, in turn, queried the Registrar, Mr. Daniel Kim, to explain how the documents became a public knowledge.
Already staff and students of the university are mobilizing for an action against the school authorities.
There is also crisis of confidence between the VC and council chairman as the chairman is allegedly pointing accusing fingers at the VC for sponsoring the petition.
A student, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said they would not want history to repeat itself.
The student, who was one of the pioneer students before it was closed down, said “I waited for many years for the school to be reopened and now I am about to go through another harrowing time because our programmes have not been accredited.”
The pro chancellor, who confirmed receipt of the petition to our correspondent, however described all the allegations as tissues of lies.
He said the council would be meeting on Tuesday to take a look at all the issues raised by the petitioners.
Ale said, “I am glad that you are cross-checking your facts, the writers are not known, the names there are fictitious as they are neither students nor staff. However the governing council is meeting tomorrow Tuesday to make its position known.
“Meanwhile be assured that it’s a bunch of lies and will be handled appropriately.”
The crisis rocking the Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress deepened on Thursday as some aggrieved members locked out some executives of the party, and other stalwarts of the party who were holding a meeting at the secretariat.
The secretariat was donated to the party by a leader in the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the members were annoyed about the procedure adopted in the nominations of members of the board of trustees of the party.
The party had been enmeshed in crisis over the outcome of its state congress, especially the chairmanship position, which a former aide of the former Governor, Joshua Dariye, Mr. Latep Dabang won.
The outcome of the exercise was hotly contested by the former interim state chairman, Senator John Shagaya and another member, Amos Gombi, who had earlier petitioned the national secretariat.
The duo had, among other reasons, disagreed on the eligibility of Dabang to contest the election on the premise he was a legislative aide of Dariye who is a serving Senator on the platform of the Labour Party as at the time he contested the election.
However, the new twist occurred following an attempt by the Dabang-led executive to hold a meeting at the party secretariat for the nomination, but was prevented from doing so by some aggrieved members of the party.
The aggrieved members, who were not happy over the zoning of the zoning of the BOT members had laid siege on the secretariat, arriving ahead of the executives and padlocked the entrance gate and went away with the key.
Consequently, the stakeholders who had arrived for the meeting had to relocate to the abandoned state secretariat of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change along Dogon Karfe road Jos for their meeting.
Leader of APC in the state, Chief Joseph Din, had, in a letter to the secretary of the party said the party could nominate BOT member because the crisis in the party has not been resolved and therefore requested that meeting be shifted.
Part of the letter tagged ‘Re: Text message on the nomination of BOT member in Plateau’ read as follows: “I am shocked because it is a known fact that the issue of the state chairman of our party in the state has not been resolved. The National headquarters of our party has told me as the leader of the party in the state that the issue of chairmanship will be resolved as soon as possible.
“I therefore as leader of the party in the state request that the meeting be shifted to allow the national headquarters of our party to resolve the issue before a meeting in convened for any decision is taken on any party matter in the state.”
Dabang, who spoke to newsmen on the development decried what he described as constant harassment of the executives by some members, adding that the party has finally relocated its state secretariat to CPC secretariat.
He stated that the letter by the party leader in the state was not binding eon the executive and so they could’ve not admit it.
He said, “We have no choice than to relocate the state secretariat to CPC secretariat due to constant harassment by the owner, so here has now become our permanent secretariat. The party in Plateau is intact there is no crisis, the leadership issue has been settled and laid to rest.”
The Nigerian Army has alerted residents of communities in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State of a scheduled training programme for officers and soldiers, which will commence on Tuesday, July 8 and end on July 23, 2014.
A statement from the Army Public Relations Unit of 3 Division, in Rukuba, near Jos, said the programme involves sporadic movement of personnel and equipment.
The statement, which was signed by Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Texas Chukwu, said: “In line with Army Headquarters (AHQ) training directive towards excellent military professionalism, 3 Division headquarters of the Nigerian Army will be conducting its 2014 Annual Range Classification.
“The exercise is meant to test the ability of officers and soldiers on weapon handling. During this period, there will be sporadic movement of military personnel, vehicles and equipment
The crisis rocking the Plateau State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reached a crescendo with the suspension of its chairman, Haruna Dabin.
Mr. Dabin’s suspension was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the State Executive Committee meeting of the party, which held at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos.
The meeting at the Government House rather than the party secretariat is an indication that Dabin’s suspension had the blessings of the state Governor, Jonah Jang.
Earlier on Monday, police officers sealed the state PDP secretariat apparently to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
Mr. Dabin, who ran into troubled waters in the state ever since he made known his intention to contest the governorship election next year on the platform of the party, had earlier described the SEC meeting as illegal, insisting that he was not aware of and did not call for it.
“An illegal meeting can only produce illegal results”, the embattled chairman said of the meeting which claimed was called by the state party secretary, Pam Saleh.
Monday’s communiqué empowered Mr. Dabin’s deputy, Raymond Davou, to take over the affairs of the party in acting capacity.
The Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Mr Chris Olakpe, on Monday, called on people to stop rushing to bomb blast scenes as there was always the possibility of a second blast.
Olakpe made the call in Jos at a sensitisation forum for security agents and journalists on the dangers of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
“The terrorists have nicknamed the first bomb blast as “come along” so that they will ignite the second one that will kill more people.
“We call on the public to always inform security agents about any suspicious item and avoid trying to remove it.
“The police have bomb defusing experts and the public should invite them to any place that strange objects are deposited or fixed.
“We appeal to the citizens to stop promoting terrorist activities through spreading false rumours,’, he said.
The commissioner urged the media and the general public to support security agents in the fight against terrorism.
“The support should come in form of sharing vital information with the security agents as they cannot do the fighting in a vacuum,” Olakpe said.
All is not well in Taroh nation of Plateau State, as the people are at war over their traditional stool, the Ponzhi Taroh. Yusufu Aminu Idegu examines the roles of the contenders.
LANGTANG people who speak the Tarok language and occupy parts of Southern Plateau State boast a retinue of retired and serving Generals in the Nigerian Army. In fact, Langtang is known as ‘Home of Generals’ in the state. There are more Army Generals in the town than in any other single ethnic group in the entire Middle Belt.
Some of the retired Generals of the Taroh ethnic group still living today include Gen. Domkat Bali, Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Gen. John Temlong, Gen. John Shagaya etc. Most of them played commanding roles in their days in the Nigerian Army.
But in their various retirement life, their efforts to also play commanding roles in their Langtang community have pitched these Generals at war against one another. Each of them has been fighting tooth and nail to be in command of affairs on the paramount traditional stool of the Tarok people known as Ponzhi Taroh. These Generals have also been in battle on the political field to outwit one another over the political affairs of their immediate communities and the entire state in general.
A war of Generals
However, the area that is so dear to the lives of these retired Generals is that of the Tarok traditional stool. The stool is currently occupied by His Royal Majesty Gen. Domkat Yah Bali (GCON). But since 2010, when Gen. Bali assumed the paramount throne in the community, he has been at war with other Generals who have been battling to unseat him from the prestigious Tarok stool.
The Ponzhi Taroh stool became vacant in November 2008 following the death of the last occupant, the late Edward Zhato. That was when the war began among the Generals. There are three of the Generals who are directly involved and have been at the centre of this war which has lasted six years. The Generals, Bali, Useni and Dogonyaro, by their personal and respective interests on the vacant Tarok stool, have made it difficult for the Tarok people to install a substantive Ponzhi Tarok for a period of about three years.
Gen Useni who hails from Gazum chiefdom expressed his interest to contest the throne. He was clearly told he belongs to another chiefdom and cannot contest in the Taroh chiefdom. Gen. Dogonyaro who though has no interest in contesting the throne never wanted Gen. Useni to come near the throne. Gen Dogonyaro on his part prefers Gen. Bali to be the next Ponzhi Taroh. And so the battle rages on.
When Gen. Bali became victorious in that long battle and was installed by the Plateau State government as the substantive paramount ruler of the Langtang nation, the battle ground shifted to the courts.
In the court of law
A case allegedly sponsored by Gen. Useni was instituted in 2010 by one Mr. Clement Chirman, National President of Gazum Cultural, Economic and Development Association, and four others against Plateau State government including the new Ponzhi Taroh, Gen Bali. After necessary consideration by the Plateau State High Court, Justice Pius Damulak who presided over the case pronounced his verdict.
In his judgement delivered on the April 10, 2014, Justice Damulak, who is currently the Acting Chief Judge of the state, said, “Upon consideration of this suit between Mr. Clement Chirman and four others versus the Governor of Plateau State and three others, and after hearing counsels to both parties on the subject matter, it’s hereby declared that, by the provision of the appointment and deposition of Chiefs under 2010, the Benue-Plateau State legal Notice No. 3 of 1975 has been repealed.
“It is further declared that the said appointment and deposition Chiefs Order No.4 of 2010 is the only subsisting method of selection of the Ponzhi Taroh.
“It is further declared that Governor of Plateau State can lawfully repeal, alter and amend the said Legal Notice No.3 Cap. 20 of 1975 in accordance with the Native Law and Custom of Tarok people.
“It is further declared that the duty of the court to expound and not to expand the law, hence sentiment of morality has no place in our judicial deliberation.
“It is further declared that since the selection of the Ponzhi Taroh has been done, an order of perpetual injunction does not lie restraining the defendants, their servants, agents or privies from taking any step towards the repeal, amendment of any alteration of the method of selection of the Ponzhi Taroh.
“The quest for an order of Mandatory Injunction compelling the defendants to commence and conduct the selection into the office of Ponzhi Taroh in accordance with the provisions of the repealed Legal Notice No.3 of 2975 is hereby refused. The Originating Summons filed by the Plaintiff is hereby dismissed.”
Even with the judgement, there is no assurance the war among these Generals is over; there is likely to be further legal battle and it is suspected that the apex court might be the limit of the legal battle.
A group of Tarok people known as The Taroh Progressive Movement in a statement shortly after the court judgement said, “The undisputed fact remains that His Royal Majesty the Ponzhi Tarok, General Domkat Yah Bali, remains till this day the paramount ruler of the Tarok people.”
Coordinator of the group, Longken Gashik, who signed the statement said, “Tarok people are proud of His Royal Majesty, General Domkat Yah Bali, as their paramount ruler after the meritorious service to this great country Nigeria and rising within the ranks to the enviable rank of a distinguished and professional General per excellence devoid of political and corrupt tendencies.”
He added, “General Domkat Yah Bali, the Ponzhi Tarok, is a credible and worthy person in every facets of life and his selection process to the throne of his forefathers was very credible and transparent.”
Going down memory lane, Gashik said, “Tarok nation as a single chiefdom existed from 1955 via the famous Reak accord. The above unification led to the publication of Gazette for the selection of the Ponzhi Tarok which was published in 1975.
“The 1975 Gazette was used to select the late Ponzhi Taroh (Chief Edward Cirdap Zhattau, OON) in 1975. It is worthy to point out that Edward Cirdap Zhattau from Ce clan contested with Ayuba Kum from the Lagan family of Zini (Gazum). In 1990, Gazum chiefdom was created via the Plateau State Notice No. 24 P.S. EDICT No. 2 of 1990.
“The creation of the Gazum Chiefdom gave the Gazum people independence as far as chieftaincy issue is concerned. In fact, this creation removed the Gazum people in respect to the selection of Ponzhi Tarok he cannot vote nor be voted for to the stool of Ponzhi Tarok as no single person can be a bonafide member of two chiefdoms.”
The Taroh Progressive Movement, however, believed Tarok is for unity, peace and progress. But the prevailing situation shows clearly lack of unity, peace and progress in Taroh land.ac
Unknown gunmen struck again in two local governments of plateau state killing at least 20 people last Tuesday night.
Four villages were attacked in Riyom local government, Gwon, Gwarama, Gwarim and Torok all in Rim district. While one village, Gida Bua, was attacked in Langtang South local government of Plateau state
I6 persons were allegedly burned to death and 200 homes razed in the attack in Riyom LGA. While four people were said to have lost their lives in the Langtang South attack.
A 65 old man, Habila Dachung who lost his aged wife in the attack in Riyom alleged that fulani herdsmen and soldiers of the special task force on Jos, are the prime suspects in the attack. “I saw them in military uniform” he said “These armed Fulanis, accompanied by Soilders stormed our village to kill our people just like that, their gun woke us from sleep at about 2:30am.”
Majority leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly and member representing Riyom constituency confirmed the attack. He said the victims are mostly women and children.
Hon Dem said, “I also believe the Special Task force deployed to restore law and order are also involved in the killings taking place in the communities, if not, most of the Villages were attacked in the presence of men of the STF based in those villages, why are they not going after the attackers if they are not involved in the attack”
The villagers have renewed their call on the federal government for the withdrawal of the military troops from the entire state. They believed the government soldiers are the real enemies.
The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the attack but decline comment on the casualty figures.
However, the special task force (STF) on Jos crisis code named ‘Operation Safe Heaven’ has refused to comment on recent attacks in the state since January this year when attacks became frequent and widespread. Commander of the STF Major General David Enetie was alleged to have closed the media office of the task force where newsmen go to confirm facts on such attacks.
The task force has kept sealed lips in spite of all allegations against men of the force. The soldiers have been widely accused of facilitating most of the attacks in which over 80 people were killed in the last two months.
Two members of a family were killed and about 50 houses razed in fresh attacks on villages in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday.
The two were killed at Diniyam-Rim of Riyom Local Government while another raid was launched on Rakok and Razat in Barakin Ladi Local Government Area.
Several houses in the villages which were largely uninhabited as a result of previous attacks were said to have been torched by the attackers.
They also set harvested crops and other valuables on fire, according to eye witnesses.
Interim Chairman of Barkin Ladi LG, Mr. Habila Dung in a phone interview said the unknown gunmen stormed the villages in the early hours of yesterday morning destroying whatever they found.
Similarly, the member representing Riyom Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly Mr. Daniel Dem confirmed the killings.
He said the two family members were sleeping in an isolated house when they were shot dead while two other family members were injured.
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), on Friday released results of the Feb. 25 elections into local government councils with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), winning 14 of the chairmanship positions declared.
APC vs PDP
Fifteen local governments participated in the exercise after two – Jos North and Wase, were excluded over security concerns.
PLASIEC Chairman, Mr Peter Dalyop, who declared the results in Jos, said that the chairmanship results from Langtang North Local Government were inconclusive.
“There will be a re-run election in Jat Ward in Langtang North on March 3, 2014, to determine the winner of the Chairmanship seat,” he said.
He said that the local government had 18 wards, but that results from only 17 wards were collated, which made it impossible for PLASIEC to accept them.
“After the conduct of the re-run, the winner will receive the certificate of return along with the others,” he said.
Details of the results indicated that the PDP won in Barkin-Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Mikang, Jos South, Riyom, Pankshin and Kanke.
Others local governments included Jos East, Kanam, Langtang South, Quan-Pan, Riyom and Shendam.
Dalyop, however, said that names of victorious councillors would soon be announced after the collation had been concluded.
Some of the retired Generals of the Taroh ethnic group still living today include Gen. Domkat Bali, Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Gen. John Temlong, Gen. John Shagaya etc. Most of them played commanding roles in their days in the Nigerian Army.