It is one thing for political gladiators to throw their hats into the ring for a election contest; it is another thing for them to ensure they woo sufficient voters to enable them successfully land the hats. As the 2015 general elections are gradually unfolding, nocturnal political activities by those eyeing the governorship seat of plateau state have started gathering momentum.

Indisputably, plateau politics is becoming increasingly complex and the electorate are becoming even more sophisticated. The question of who succeeds the incumbent governor, Dr. Jonah David Jang would be answered overwhelmingly when the time is ripe by plateau people.
Gov. Jonah David Jang will complete and quit the stage by 2015 having served as a two term governor under the banner of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is not known who the Gov. will adopt as his anointed successor to continue steering the affairs of the state. Given the fact that time is far spent, Gov. Jang is striving against all odds to fulfill the promises made during his 2011 electioneering campaign and has not shown any interest in starting to groom a successor.

Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a warning to politicians not to commence open air politicking ahead of 2015 and that anyone caught, would be sanction accordingly. There is no gainsaying the fact that 2015 governorship election in plateau state would ultimately usher the dawn of a new political era that people have been yearning to see. At this juncture, I wish to sincerely salute the courage of plateau people for imbibing an extra-ordinary political culture that frowns at violence, assassination, snatching of ballot boxes and the related. These negative tendencies do happen, but at the lowest ebb. It is only in some volatile states where desperation for power has reached an apogee and its crescendo that gross electoral malpractices and irregularities are always characterizing democratic elections.

It is one thing for political gladiators to throw their hats into the ring for a election contest; it is another thing for them to ensure they woo sufficient voters to enable them successfully land the hats. As the 2015 general elections are gradually unfolding, nocturnal political activities by those eyeing the governorship seat of plateau state have started gathering momentum.

Indisputably, plateau politics is becoming increasingly complex and the electorate are becoming even more sophisticated. The question of who succeeds the incumbent governor, Dr. Jonah David Jang would be answered overwhelmingly when the time is ripe by plateau people. Gov. Jonah David Jang will complete and quit the stage by 2015 having served as a two term governor under the banner of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is not known who the Gov. will adopt as his anointed successor to continue steering the affairs of the state. Given the fact that time is far spent, Gov. Jang is striving against all odds to fulfill the promises made during his 2011 electioneering campaign and has not shown any interest in starting to groom a successor.

Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a warning to politicians not to commence open air politicking ahead of 2015 and that anyone caught, would be sanction accordingly. There is no gainsaying the fact that 2015 governorship election in plateau state would ultimately usher the dawn of a new political era that people have been yearning to see. At this juncture, I wish to sincerely salute the courage of plateau people for imbibing an extra-ordinary political culture that frowns at violence, assassination, snatching of ballot boxes and the related. These negative tendencies do happen, but at the lowest ebb. It is only in some volatile states where desperation for power has reached an apogee and its crescendo that gross electoral malpractices and irregularities are always characterizing democratic elections.

Having become sophisticated enough to eschew political apathy and partake in fair electioneering campaigns, plateau people are no longer interested in working for people who come with empty promises and crass insensitivity. They prefer people of honesty, dedication, transparency, accountability, patriotism, humility and diligence, people who will wipe away their tears and put a smile on their faces. They need people with sterling leadership qualities who can weather the storm and take plateau to the next level of development. Unfortunately, these person cannot descend from heaven to govern them neither can the person come from any first world nations. They must however be from one of the 17 local government areas. It doesn’t matter the persons political platform or tribal origins. What matters is that the persons must not suffer from credibility and integrity deficits.

Those rumoured to have started oiling their campaign machinery in are Amb. Nanven J.M Goselle, Nde Hezekiah Dimka, Mr. Francis Bot, Amb. Chris Giwa, Sen. Victor Lar, Eng. Jimmy Cheto, Prof. Nenfort Gomwalk, Arch. John Alkali, Hon Kemi Nicholas Nshe, Hon. George Daika, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, chief Longmas Wapmuk, Amb. Ignatius Longjang, chief Joe Bitrus Musa, Hon. Emmanuel Goar, Sen. Sati Gogwim, Dr. Haruna Dabin, Nde John Gobak, Prof. Shedrach Best, Dr. Daniel Kutchin, Prof. Emmanuel Garba. As Plateau state independent electoral commission (PLASIEC) is fine tuning arrangements to conduct local government elections, some political analysts had posited that the election will provide a political barometer for measuring the 2015 general elections in plateau state. I humbly submit that plateau people should examine the contenders very well and evaluate their antecedents before deciding who governs them through the ballot box. They must vote for change, credibility and democratic good governance.
Also, the candidates must enjoy wide followership and must have political exposure before they could reach the pinnacle.

Interestingly, the incumbent Gov. Dr. Jang seems to have made the race open to all. He recently said, “I want you to join me in praying. I don’t know who will take over from me but I am praying that God should anoint me to anoint the right person who will continue the projects that I have started”.
Recently, the special adviser to Gov. Jang on political matters chief Alexander Molwus stressed to Journalist in jos, that his boss wants to encourage the youth to take leadership position and that he doesn’t know who will succeed him. He further maintained that “whatever happens, candidates may come out from any of the zones devoid of zoning system”. For now, I can’t predict who will become the next chief helmsman after Gov. Jang. The future is by its very nature unpredictable. But then, when we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it.

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2015: Who should succeed Governor Jonah Jang by Dapar Satmak Alexander