A body of the entire tribes in Plateau State tagged, Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), has expressed satisfaction and commended the Labour Party, LP, gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Patrick Dakum, over his numerous antecedents that have impacted positively on the lives of so many indigenes of the State and other Nigerians, and the manifesto of his gubernatorial ambition.
PIDAN, which has no anointed candidate for the 2023 general elections nor directed the tribes to vote any candidate by virtue of its ethics of neutrality and giving of level playing grounds to all seeking elections, commended Dakum for contributing his quota to the development and progress of Plateau in various ways and selflessly serving the state in every position he held. According to its President and Secretary, Prof Aboi Madaki and Comrade Nanle Gujor, Dakum is a highly reputable man whose antecedents are glaring, unquestionable and undeniable, and has contributed both spiritually and economically wise in different fronts in making positive impact on people’s lives.
Earlier in their speech, they made it clear that they are not campaigning for any of the 2023 candidates, but they owe the entire tribes the responsibility of presenting the true picture of the candidates unbiasedly so that they can make the rightful choice at the polls.

Their commendation came after Dakum’s presentation in a meeting with PIDAN EXCO and ethnic leaders in the state at Yelwa Club in Jos yesterday.
In his address, Dakum enunciated his qualification, exposure, achievements and what he intended to achieve when he comes on board as governor.
Speaking on few of his achievements, he narrated how he came with Professor Itapson from Cincinnati Ohio and showed him the plight of Rukuba locals some years back on scarcity of good water supply. And how Itapson returned to US, and raised $700, 000, and sent to him, and how they purchased borehole drilling equipment and drilled 200 boreholes for 200 communities.
Furthermore, he narrated how he spent the contribution made towards his 60th birthday in 2018, where instead of celebrating in a pageantry way, he used the funds to secure building materials and relief materials for the victims of attacks in Fan, Bokkos and Miango.

Dakum added that of the one thousand employees of his organisation, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, two hundred are citizens of Plateau State.
On his manifesto, Dakum said that economically Plateau has reached a limit of no loan worthiness by attending the maximum amount of loan it should take, and with huge debts of over N200bn to pay. However, he said he will not go for loans as the state is massively sitting on huge revenue, both minerals and human resources waiting for exploration and utilisation.

He said he will look inwards and boosts the economy by enhancing productivity in agriculture, mining, invention and others to create massive employment and employers of labour to boost the tax drive and other sources of revenue to the state.
On the issue of security, he promised to ensure grabbed lands are returned to their owners legally, and to equip both the conventional security agencies, the vigilante and hunters who are the the first responders to any skirmish.

He lamented and promised to well equip the Peace Building Agency which he said is a very crucial tool for peace building, but is understaffed and ill equiped, requiring reimbursement and reinforcement.
Dakum asserted that he will ensure that issues responsible for causing and increasing insecurity are dealt with to secure lives and properties as security is the bedrock of all meaningful development.
Dakum spoke on varieties of issues bothering on pensions, corruption, entrepreneurship, scholarships for students, domestic violence against women, men and children, revitalizing moribund companies and industries and so many others, saying he will fix Plateau and return it to its glorious days.

He said his consolidation slogan means consolidating on all the excellent performances of previous governments and not their failures.
Finally he challenged PIDAN to be alive to its role of bettering lives of the natives through stating their challenges to government, advocacy for good governance, and giving the necessary advise on peace, unity, progress and development.

In his vote of thanks, Dakum’s running mate, Barrister Edward Pwajok (SAN), said they are grateful that Dr. Dakum has agreed to run for the Governorship considering his undisputable and remarkable achievements which none of his counterparts can boast of, his patriotism, will power and vision to transform Plateau.

He thanked PIDAN for the invitation extended to Dakum to present his manifesto, and said unity among the natives, will make Plateau great.

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2023: PIDAN COMMENDS DR. DAKUM OVER ANTECEDENTS, MANIFESTOS