Rt. Hon. George Daika Declares Gubernatorial Ambition, Says His Agenda is to Protect Plateau Interest

As the 2019 political cloud continue to thicken, people seeking elective position have started declaring interests to contest one position or the other.

This is not in any way different from former Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Member Federal House of Representatives for Shendam/Qua’anpan/Mikang Federal Constituency and ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika who on Friday 24th August, 2018 in company of his campaign organization, political associates, friends and fans formally submitted his Letter of Intention to contest for the gubernatorial seat under the platform of the PDP after strategic consultations with stakeholders and statutory delegates across the 17 Local Government Area of the State.

The event took place at the Conference Hall of Plateau State PDP Secretariat opposite NTA Zonal Office Yakubu Gowon Way Jos, Plateau State.

The Rt. Hon. George Daika Campaign Team under the leadership of a seasoned Technocrat, Political Scientist, Administrator of great repute, former Chairman Barkin Ladi local Government Council and Plateau State Coordinator MDGs, Prof. Sam Godongs stormed the State Secretariat of the Party with the Aspirant to submit letter of intent to the State Party Executives.

The Team was warmly received by the Plateau State Chairman of PDP, Hon. Damishi Sango and the State Executive Council.

State Organizing Secretary of the Party, Hon. Yakubu Gwott Chocho who introduced the Team to the Chairman described the Aspirant, Rt. Hon. George Daika as someone who has been with the party and assisted through thick and thin. He said the Aspirant is not only qualified but possesses the qualities needed in a Governor. He said he is happy that the party has aspirants such as Rt. Hon. George Daika who can wrestle and regain power to the party by taking the party back to Little Rayfield in 2019.

Director General of the Campaign Organization, Prof. Sam Godongs while speaking to introduce the Gubernatorial Hopeful said Plateau State is lucky to have a man of integrity, a philanthropist, an Employer of labour, an astute Politician and great achiever, Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika.
He said having traversed the 17 LGAs, it is obvious that the acceptability of the Aspirant is highly commendable and would assure the party victory if elected at the party’s Gubernatorial Primaries.

He said the Aspirant is bold, fearless, people-oriented, having with a large heart, a person of proven integrity and immense capacity to move Plateau State considering how backward the State is being in the hands of mediocre. He said the State is at a critical stage and needs someone who would pursue the interest of the people and stand by the State at all times. He said he has seen the qualities of a great Governor in Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika who he referred to as the best. He called on the delegates to be cautious and choose the best Aspirant, who he said remains Rt. Hon. Daika who would save the State from collapsing.

Hon. Prof. Sam Godongs posited that the destiny of the State is in the hands of the State Executives of the Party and by extension the delegates. He said if they get a right candidate then Plateau State would rise again and be counted among best States while wrong candidate would spell doom to the State, people and generations unborn.

He said Plateau State needs an experienced person and someone with large heart to accommodate all irrespective of tribal, ethnic, political and religious differences. He said Rt. Hon. Daika stands out as the best among all those aspiring to be Governor. He posited that Rt. Hon. Daika is someone with experience, exposure, connections and in-depth knowledge of the plights of the people of Plateau State and that can be bold enough to pursue the interest of the people and stand by the State no matter the circumstances.

Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika in his declaration remark said he is highly honored standing before the State Executive Officers and party faithful to declare his intention to contest for Governorship.

He said Plateau State has gone backward from where former Governor Jonah David Jang took it to and that there is deficiency in infrastructural development. He said Plateau State which was known as “Home of Peace and Tourism” and a Hospitality Haven has suddenly become home of terrorists, hoodlums and criminalities with so much bloodshed. He said if elected, he would ensure those displaced are resettled and rehabilitated. He said he would give greater attention to villages sacked.

Rt. Hon. Daika said his agenda is to pursue peace and unity by confronting the insecurity bedeviling the State. He said he would be happy if he is able to ensure justice prevails and peace is attain without which there would be no development. “I will ensure there is peace so that businesses would boom and investments (Local and Foreign Direct Investments) are attracted to the State” he said. He said he is ready to make the greatest sacrifice to ensure people live in harmony and cohabit peacefully with one another irrespective of their ethnic, tribal, religious and political inclinations as well as social and economic statuses.

The Aspirant said development would come if peace is achieve and would always count on the people who are his wealth and assets to win the Primaries and main elections as well as their supports in governance.

He admonished the delegates to take good decision to bring Plateau State out of the present predicament or take the wrong decision that would mar the progress of the State by taking it more backward. He urged them to pray for him, the PDP, Plateau State, Nigeria. He said if he is the God-chosen one, they should vote for him but if another Aspirant is considered better than him, that person should be supported and he would equally be ready to work for that person for the interest of the party and State.
He said the unity, peace, prosperity, growth and development of Plateau State is paramount to him.

Plateau State Chairman of the PDP welcomed the Aspirant and his Campaign Organisation and other Party faithful who accompanied him. He called on those not registered to ensure they registered in the ongoing Voters’ Registration that has been extended.

He said the Aspirant, Rt. Hon. George Daika is someone that has assisted the party during its hard times, paid his dues and wished him the very best. Hon. Sango posited that he is happy with the conduct of the Aspirant and his campaign team.

He promised to provided a level playing ground, dispense fairly and justice to all Aspirants. He admonished the Aspirant and his supporters to support the person that would emerge at the Primaries.

He further stressed that unity is key to all members toward grasping power from the APC that has demonstrated it lacks the competence and will power to address the problems they have inflicted on the people.

In the Campaign Team were: Hon. Haruna Gini Umaru, Former Chairman Jos LGC 1988/89, Hon. Solomon Madugu Member House of Representatives Bassa Federal Constituency 1983, Former Chairman All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Hon. Andrew Barry Iza
Former Education Secretary Bassa LGEA 2000-2005, former member PLHA Rukuba-Irigwe Constituency 2006, former PDP Vice Chairman Northern Senatorial District, former Management Committee Chairman Bassa LGC 2012/2013, Hon. Chief Simon Tangni, Former Management Committee Chairman Pankshin LGC, Hon. Daniel Kungmi, Former Chairman Mikang LGC, Barr. Nasiru Goshi DDG, Former Adviser to Sen. Jang on Religious Matters, Hon. James Pam, former Plateau State Liaison Officer Abuja, Hon. Sunday Audu, Former Member PLHA Jos North-North Constituency 1999-2003, Hon. Abubakar Zakari Former Chairman Wase LGA&former Commissioner Plateau State, Hon. Jerry Satmark, Former Secretary Mangu LGA 2014/2015&Chief of Staff to Rt. Hon. John Clark Dabwan, Youths, Women and Tribal Associations.