I venture to pen my thoughts on an issue knowing fully well that I am speaking not just for myself but for the majority of the good people of Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency that Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (Babayo) has performed excellently in representing the interest of our people in the green chambers.
He has done so well, I don’t think people should hesitate to support his coming back as our Member. He has done so well from Human Capital development, infrastructure, to support to young graduates in areas of employment, support to farmers and small businesses, education and many more .
He is a vocal voice in the present Assembly and has earned the respect and admiration of the Speaker and his fellow colleagues. He has presented Bills that have huge impact not just to the people of PKK but Nigeria as a whole. For these reasons and more, I join many in endorsing him for another term in 2023.
I just want our people to understand and also to encourage us that have started as a support group not because we are his close associates but for his selfless service to our people. We believe that with another four years, Gagdi would make PKK more proud of his good representation and I am very proud to be part of this.
We have made up our mind that we are going to work tirelessly; we would do everything that is possible in terms of supporting and campaigning to let the good people of PKK understand that there are two parallel lines between what Gagdi stands to offer which is growth and prosperity for our people and what others are trying to come and re-engineer to take us back to the debris of the past that we don’t want to ever go back to.
GAGDI ATTENDS THE BURIAL RITES OF LATE ALH MUHAMMAD MADUGU DANKWANA, WAS AT THE INTERMENT AT NARGUTA CEMETERY JOS.
The member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency, RT Hon Yusus Adamu Gagdi received with deep shock the death of an elder and a community leader from kanam LGA, late Alh Muhammad Madugu, which the sad event occurred today in Jos.
Hon Gagdi immediately rushed to join family, relatives and other associates to observe the funeral prayers for the deceased and his interment at Naraguta burial ground.
He joined to pray for the soul of the deceased, seeking for God’s mercy and forgiveness for his soul. While the pains of his departure is deep; as he left at the time when his fatherly advice and counsel will be dearly needed, but got consoled by the fact that the deceased lived a pious life.
Gagdi condoled with the immediate family, the Namaran traditional ruling house, the Kanam emirate and all the people of Kanam LGA.
PKK AND THE QUESTION OF ZONING OR POWER ROTATION IN 2023
By Kankimes Alghazali Moh’d
With election of Rt. Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi for the first term, it seems the door to 2023 election campaigns has been opened. Although, there were rumours that Gagdi would seek a second term, the legislator is yet to deny or debunk the rumours.
In the build up to 2019 election, the then ruling PDP was enmeshed in power rotation crisis.The predecessor of Gagdi, was believed to have breached the power zoning arrangement perfected and entrenched.The inability of the party to resolve the crisis contributed greatly towards its woeful performance and ultimate defeat. Now, that is history.
The 2023 election is still far away. However, those who have been watching or monitoring the political development in the constituency may rightly or wrongly say that the re-alignment of political forces have begun in earnest. It appears the ruling party is in the state of dilemma on the issue of power rotation. People are firing the salvo.
You will quite agree with me, each of the three Local Government Areas is blessed with people of timber and calibre.These people have excelled in various fields of human development and could hold any position if given the opportunities. No Local Government Area has the monopoly of competent hands.
It is obvious power rotation has helped tremendously towards promoting unity in diversity. It has adressed the problems of power domination by certain Local Government Area in the constituency.
However, what has continued to baffle or puzzle many PKK constituents is the question of whether the incumbent will seek reelection. And if he will aspire in 2023, whether his aspiration will breach controversial zoning arrangement or not?
The answer to this question is NO. When one go down deep to history, it would be fathomable for everyone to concur with my submission.
Kanke held the office from 1999 to 2003, Kanam from 2003 to 2007, Pankshin from 20007 to 2011.
Pankshin was last in the first roundup and started first in the second roundup from 2011-2015, Kanke took over from 2015 to 2019 and Kanam 2019-2023.
It will not be anti-zoning if Kanam starts in the third roundup, same way Pankshin did, in the second roundup. But that hasn’t stopped the cacophony of noises for power movement away from Kanam.
To clear more doubting minds in respect of intra-zoning or power rotation gentleman arrangement, let me dig down deep into history once again:
In 1999, the seat of House of Representatives was won by Kanke without any agreement of which local government was to contest first before others. Hon Josiah Gobum was elected to the National Assembly under PDP.
In strengthening the political calculation of 2003, the ruling party’s stakeholders considered the voting strength of Kanam and zoned the seat of House of Representatives to Kanam.
Hon Rev. Musa Labar Wuyep was elected to represent the Federal Constituency in the National Assembly under the PDP.
In 2007, late Usman Zumunta Musa contested for the seat and he was not allowed, the same Rev Musa Labar Wuyep was endorsed by the ACN elders of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam for continuity based on the political calculation, but was defeated by a PDP Leonard Dilkon, from Pankshin LGA. In 2011, another Pankshin man, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Go’ar of the PDP emerged.
In 2015, a Kanke man, Hon. Timothy Golu of PDP emerged after defeating men of Kanam LGA at the primaries and general elections.
In 2019, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, a Jhar of APC, contested with Kanam men at the primaries, and with an Ngas man of Kanke, Hon.Timothy Golu of the PDP. It is worthy of note that Hon.Timothy Golu defeated Kanam men at the primaries.
It’s also worthy to note that despite the gentleman arrangement of power rotation, the predecessors of Gagdi with the exception of Emmanuel Goar who opted for the Senatorial seat seeked re-election and were rejected due to incompetency not zoning arrangement and must of the advocates of the zoning arrangement now supported them. Timothy Golu was rejected because Kanke will have move for third roundup when Kanam was still in first roundup.
The bottom line is that when people begin to throw up issues in the course of a competition, definitely people will look for sentiments and variables that will be conducive to them. For me, striving to kick against Kanam candidate aspiration on the ground of zoning is actually a campaign tool by those who will contest and feel that they will not match the strength of the incumbent.
I understand the clamor for rotation by some sections in the constituency. The issue is a matter of life and death to some unscrupulous politicians and their uninitiated followers. It is borne out of the mutual mistrust, fear and suspicion of each other among the three Local Government Areas, religion and sections. If we as PKK constituents believe that we are one people in which we have a sense of belonging, it wouldn’t matter who becomes the Federal representative as long as that person is competent.
When political elites are exhausted of ideology then definitely they will implore issues such as power rotation formula, ethnicity and religious considerations in order to dominate the polity. Thus, the issue of power rotation in 2023 is not more than a means of consolidating the hegemonic class in another way.
I need speak no more. Kankimes Alghazali writes from Kanam L.G.A(Princekam75@gmail com)
To God be the glory, Plateau Youth activist Comrade Pius Hoomen who tested positive to COVID 19 on the 19th December 2020 has recovered and has tested negative to the Virus .
His second test result returned negative on the 14th January 2021 after being in isolation since 19th December, 2020.
Hoomen thanked God for the development saying prayers by friends and well wishers made it possible.
He further appreciated all those who prayed and sent him messages when he was down with the virus .
He then prayed God to continually guide Plateau people and Nigerians in battling the scourge.
ENGR (CHIEF) JIMMY CHETO: SUNSET AT DAWN- SEN DIMKA
The death of Engr (Chief) Jimmy Cheto has robbed the state of yet another political gladiator. My heart is pained by this loss, coming on the heels of the deaths of other high profile personalities lately.
Engr Jimmy Cheto, became a household name in Nigeria when he held sway in the FCDA as a Director in the Infrastructure Department, where his commitment to developing the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was legendary.
In the course of his life journey, Chief Cheto ventured into politics to help bring his administrative acumen to bear in the governance of the state. In the course of that, he availed himself to, persons, communities and associations lending in various ways assistance.
While mourning his passage, I pray that the Lord will comfort his family, friends and associates and indeed the state for this irreplaceable loss.
SENATOR HEZEKIAH AYUBA DIMKA, Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District and Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics
A former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant in Plateau State, Engr. Jimme Zingtim Cheto has reportedly died.
Jimmy reportedly died on Saturday morning from yet to be ascertained circumstances.
The Executive Chairman of Langtang South, Hon Nimchak Samson Rims in a press release, said, “I wish to announce the sudden demise of Engr. Jimmy Zingtim Cheto,THE JARUMIN LANGTANG who passed away after a protracted illness, Jimmy Cheto was a great plateau son and father,an astute politician, community leader, a philanthropist and an Engineer to the core, the demise of Engr. Jimmy Cheto is indeed shocking and sad.”
“Life is indeed a transition and all mortals must surely take a bow one day according to God’s design plan for everyone.
“Jimmy Cheto has answered the call of his ancestors. On behalf of my family, Langtang South Local Government, Langtang South Traditional Council, I pray that God will comfort the immediate family, the Taroh nation, Plateau state and Nigeria as a whole. We have lost another patriot on the plateau.”
Engr Jimmy Cheto was an aspirant for the seat of the Governor in Plateau State in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2019. He was knocked out at all attempts at the Party Primaries.
He was however rated as a community developer, activist and philanthropist.
Jimmy is also reputed as one of the brains behind the construction of the modern FCT (Abuja).
No Official statement has however been received from family about the reported demise of the reputed politician.
GOVERNOR LALONG URGES CITIZENS TO ENCOURAGE THE ARMED FORCES.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Friday 15th January 2021 led other dignitaries to lay wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier located at the arcade by the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat in Jos.
Addressing the event attended by top Government officials and security heads in the State, Governor Lalong praised members of the armed forces for their sacrifices in protecting the territorial integrity of the country and intervening in domestic security.
Lalong said the sacrifices of the fallen heroes must not be left to go in vain as they gave their all for the security and safety of the citizens.
He said “let us continue to support our armed forces who are still in active service through every means as they deserve our love. We should avoid condemning them over challenges that could arise in the cause of their duties. They are slefless and have done alot to restore security in many areas particularly in Plateau State. We are grateful for their contributions and continue to pray for their souls to rest in peace”.
Lalong assured that the State Government will continue to support members of the Nigerian legion and their families through empowerment and related programs.
He also appreciated all security agencies and their families who continue to collaborate with the State Government in consolidating the peace and security of Plateau State.
Prayers were also offered for the repose of the souls of those who died in the service of the nation.
The Governor later attended a reception at the Rhino Officers Mess of the Maxwell Khobe cantonment, Rukuba barracks.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 15th January 2021
‘WHY CRY MORE THAN THE BEREAVED?’ PLATEAU APC TAUNTS PDP ON LG WORKERS MINIMUM WAGE SETTLEMENT.
Again, a certain factional Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Plateau State going by the name John T. Akans came up with another of his usual attention-seeking rant in a press statement on 11th January 2021 purpotedly castigating the APC led administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong (aka Governor alert) over the minimum wage protests by “local Government employees”.
In his diatrite, the factional spokesman again exhibited his compound ignorance, mischief and unknown to him, finally revealed the real “SPONSORS” of the supposed protests by “local government employees” which his PDP faction invented in continuation of its desperation to discredit Governor Lalong and the APC over the implementation of the new minimum wage in the State.
All along, we in the APC had suspected that the sponsored protests were political gymnastics aimed at causing chaos in the State for the benefit of some vested interests, but the PDP factional publicity Secretary has confirmed to all that his faction of the party (or perhaps the whole of it) was behind this failed expedition.
If not to save face that their sponsored protesters were finally dislodged and the mission deemed a failure, how can he refer to those who blocked strategic roads, causing enormous hardship to motorists and putting the fragile economy of the State into danger as “peaceful, law-abiding” Plateau Local Government workers? Or can he explain why for about a month his so-called peaceful protesters locked out the entire workforce of the State from the State secretariat over a dispute that has no relationship with State Government workers? Does he know the implications of loosing precious man hours and the economic consequences for the business of the State?
His “peaceful and law abiding” protesters did not stop there but criminaly engaged in house-to-house harassment, intimidation and threatening of Government officials and their families. They were at the residence of the SGS, Head of Service, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Information and Communication and a host of others terrorizing their innocent children, wives, babies and nursing mothers and issuing all sorts of threats.
Curiously, these supposed “Local Government employees” did not for one day protest in front, or shut down of any of the 17 Local Government Secretariats in the State where they are supposed to direct their grievances. Neither did they visit the residence of any Local Government Council Chairman either in their LG headquarters or in the State capital. They were not even on strike which is the widely known avenue for aggrieved workers to withdraw their services in protest. What does the PDP factional spokesman take the people and Government of Plateau State for? Dumb or undiscerning? Does he think they public share the quality of their thinking and actions?
Now, Mr. Factional spokesman needs to explain who was providing the sumptuous meals, music, liquor and perhaps drugs to the protesters who were desparate in instigating another round of disturbance in the State which the wise and gentle Governor Simon Bako Lalong (aka Governor alert) refused to buy. Had he fallen for their antics, it would not have been only the exposed PDP faction that would be lamenting today, but they would have rented others to join them in playing the wailing script of condemnation just to get relevance whcih they lost long ago. We are wiser than this!
The PDP has been sulking ever since their attempt to disrupt the bye election for the Plateau South Senatorial District failed woefully. That is why they have turned their gun powder on anything that looks like an achievement of the Lalong administration by adopting their worn out and unintelligent tactics of lies, mischief, propaganda, fact-twisting and crying more than the bereaved. The people of Plateau State are not fools and can no longer be taken for a ride by a party they rejected and ejected from governance since 2015 which keeps using crude methods to return to relevance. They are disgusted that the PDP knew that they had no chance of winning the Southern Senatorial bye election and resorted to unleashing their sponsored thugs who blocked strategic roads including those leading to the southern zone in the days leading to the elections. They blocked Anguldi in Bukuru, Mangu, Shendam, among others even on the eve of the elections. All the time, they were chanting war songs, harrasing innocent citizens, raining curses and insults at the APC and Governor Lalong with the hope that it will give them electoral victory. They failed woefully because the people of the southern zone did not buy their lies. Today, Prof. Nora Dadu’ut is in the red chambers of the National Assembly as the people’s choice.
Of couse the sponsored protesters touched the tiger’s tail when they refused to vacate the arcade by the State secretariat for members of the Armed Forces to commence their rehearsals for the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance day parade and wreath laying. The armed forces are not politicians and would take none of it. They stood their ground depsite the attack by the supposed “peaceful Local Government protesters” of the PDP who even shot a soldier. At the end, many of them were arrested and after profiling, it turned out that majority were not Government employees nor even citizens of Plateau State. The real sponsors of the protests were now exposed and shamed. Yet, these are the people that the over zealous factional spokesman of the PDP referred to as “peaceful employees” seeking legitimate entitlements. Shame!
To save face therefore, the factional spokesman of the PDP engaged in his usual incoherent and pedestarn attacks on Governor Alert Lalong and the APC by alleging brutality against his “peaceful protesters” who in actual sense exhibited to everyone that they were anything but peaceful. To the public, they were “disruptive thugs” who wanted to cause chaos in the State but were largely ignored despite their provocative actions. The NURTW whose members suffered untold hardship and loses showed great restraint by not responding to the uncivilised blocking of roads for weeks.
Now, here is the summary of the facts amd verdict of the matter for you to take home Mr. Factional spokesman of the PDP. 1. Governor Lalong did not hold LG new minimum wage. 2. He has fulfilled his promise to be among the first to start to implementing the minimum wage (to State employees) in the country even when others with more money than Plateau are yet to implement. The process will soon be completed after the full negotiation is done with. 3. The Governor could not have negotiate for local government councils which are a separate tier of government and have their constitutional financial autonomy. He was prevailed upon by the genuine LG employees (not sponsored thugs) and the Chairmen to advice them, which he did albeit reluctantly. At the end they had to settle within themselves. 4. After the rigmarole and incitement by the PDP, the genuine Local Government employees sat with their Local Government Chairmen and resolved the matter (Check with ALGON and the unions for details please). 5. Governor Lalong did not brutalise any Local Government employee on peaceful protests. Rather, some thugs dared the armed forces and had to be arrested. Even if the Governor had ordered the arrest of the protesting thugs, he was in order as that is his constitutional responsibility, to maintain law and order as well as protecting lives and properties in Plateau State! 6. The Plateau State Government never asked the court to stop the agitation of Local Government employees for the minimum wage. Rather, it asked the court to order the employees to respect labour principles of negotiation (which the genuine workers did). 7. Local Government Autonomy is real in Plateau State. Governor Lalong has broken the jinx by doing what PDP Governments in the State refused to do in 16 years. It is another goal for the silent achiever. If you have facts to the contrary, bring it out than engage in your usual empty and unintelligent propaganda. We also challenge the factional PDP spokesman to prove otherwise. 8. Till date, Governor Lalong remains the darling of workers because he has kept faith with their wages and entitlements. He cleared all the 8 months arrears, no work no pay and others left behind by the PDP. He is also paying pension and gratuity which the PDP never contemplated even in the time of abundance. He has promoted thousands of civil servants with some getting promotions four times which were all denied them during the PDP era. He re-engaged about 2, 500 primary school teachers sacked by the PDP. Similarly, he re-engaged 100 PRTV staff that were sacked by the Government of the PDP. Factional spokesman, please keep off this area because the Lalong APC Rescue Mission has demystified your party’s incompetence and wickedness in this area! If the name Governor ALERT hurts you, you may have to bear it for a very long time because it is a name “earned” based on evidence and testimony of Plateau State workers. It is not one of those cheap things that politicians of the PDP scramble to buy all over the place just to get a false sense of acceptance and to massage their ego. Stop deceiving yourself because talk is cheap. We will like to caution the factional spokesperson of the PDP to stop playing politics with the salaries and wages of civil servants. His party did so in its 16 years sojourn and the consequences are before everyone to see. Governor alert Lalong believes in the biblical injunction that says “a worker is entitled to his wages” and remains determined to ensuring that no employee in Plateau State is denied his sweat.
Finally, and most critically, the factional spokesman should avail himself elementary courtesy on use of language and speech to people and the offices they hold and also strive to write intelligently his own script, rather than concocting (or being handed over) badly articulated lies to dumb on the public in the name of opposition. Governor Alert Lalong is very busy. Please dont distract him because he is busy working for a greater Plateau. Not everything is politics and this is how not to seek cheap political popularity and and sympathy of regaining lost relevance please!
Signed: Bashir Musa Sati State Secretary, APC Plateau State. 15th January 2021.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM MOURN MAI TANGALE/ FORMER MILAD, KONTAGORA
The Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with the Government and people of Gombe State over the death of the fifteenth Mai Tangle, Dr. Abdu Buba Maisheru II.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message condolenced the people of Tangale Kingdom over the sudden death of the Paramount ruler which he described as a monumental loss to the nation.
Lalong said the first class ruler was very instrumental to the development of his Chiefdom and Gombe State and also played a great role in the promotion of peace and unity in the State.
He said “as the Chairman of the Northern Christian Traditonal Rulers, late Dr. Masheru was a man of faith who advocated for godliness and championed inter-faith dialogue towards advocating for harmony in the north and the nation as a whole. The value he placed on education saw his subjects acquiring knowledge and contributing to Gombe State and the nation in various capacities”.
Similarly, the Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with the family of Col. Aminu Isa Kontagora, former Military Administrator of Benue and Kano States who died recently.
Governor Simon Lalong on behalf of the Forum described the death of the former military officer as a great loss to the nation.
He said the deceased contributed immensely to the development of the States he administered, the Nigerian Army and the country as a whole. Even in retirement, he continued to serve his community and the nation in various ways.
While urging members of his family to accept his demise as the will of God, he asked them to find solace in the good works of the deceased who lived a life of sacrifice and dedication for the betterment of humanity.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 14th December 2021
BIRTHDAY FELICITATION TO THE BARADEN BOGGHOM, ENGR SILAS BUBA BY RT HON YUSUF GAGDI
The member representing Pankshin Kanke and Kanam federal constituency and chairman house committee on Navy, Rt HON Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (Danmalikin Kanam) join friends, family, well wishers and associates to felicitate with the Baraden Bogghom Nation, Engr Silas Buba Director East Operations FERMA on the occasion of his birthday.
The community development acumen, sincerity, forthrightness and spirit of brotherhood are what endeared Engr Silas to all those who come in contact with him.
The honourable member cherish the brotherhood of his elder brother Engr Silas and pray to God to increase in him more of such positive virtues to the benefit of Kanam, Plateau, the nation and humanity at large.
He prayed for God’s continues happiness, blessings and protection in good condition of health as he keeps on adding more years.
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