Prominent personalities under the aegis of Pankshin South Community Leaders Forum on Saturday 7th September, 2024 held a robust conversation with Pankshin local government candidates of the various political parties featuring in the October 9th local government elections holding across the seventeen local governments of Plateau state.
The leader of the Forum and National President of Mupun Cultural and Development Association, Da. Alpha John Dakwak in a brief welcome address stated that as community leaders, they sat and came up with the idea of having a Forum like this to galvanize the interest of Pankshin South and push forward as a united force.
Alongside Da. Alpha John Dakwak, the leader of the Forum, the Forum also has CC Martin Ayuba Dapel rtd, Mnse, fca+rss (National President, Mhiship Community and Cultural Development Association), Hon. Shikgura Dangmwan (National President, Pai Development Association) and Mr. Ghelshik Jatau Moses (National President, Tal Development Association) as co-conveners. Others include the leaders of various communities and youth leaders under the zones making up the Forum. While letting in each of the candidates of the featured political parties on the aim of the engagement, CC Martin Ayuba Dapel said that it was to find out from the candidates what they have in stock for the people and how they can especially provide a balanced leadership which is inclusive enough to fully capture the interest of the people of Pankshin South. He noted that this move was the first of its kind across the entire state and lays a sound foundation for other communities to replicate.
The engagement was held in sessions, with the candidate of each of the political parties featured taking turns at each session.
The first to take a shot was Hon. Felix Amos Gonung, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flanked by his Deputy, Hon. John Caleb Dasar and members of his strategic engagement team. Hon. Gonung presented his plans for Pankshin local government when he gets elected as chairman. He took time to give a general background of his education and experience with the government and the private sector. He submitted that he will rely on his background as an accountant and someone who has built very strong connections working with NGOs over the years to give unprecedented transformational leadership to Pankshin local government citing example of billions of naira worth of relieve materials he attracted to victims of attacks that occured in Mangu sometimes back. He also promised to leverage on the experience of his running mate and ward councillors to make sure that the impact of his administration is felt deep down the grassroots.
The candidate of the Labour Party, Hon. Alexander Dapar who was also accompanied by some members of his strategic team, on his part noted that as someone who has all his life been in the local government system, held various positions that saw him rose to the rank of Chief of Staff to former chairman, Sir John Damap, he has gathered enough experience to make him the best leader Pankshin local government will ever wish for in the forthcoming dispensation. He presented a 5-point agenda bordering on security, youth and women empowerment and agriculture and food security among others which he will vigorously pursue if he becomes the local government chairman.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Rotshak Gideon Yokden though had planned to attend but could not make it due to circumstances beyond his control. He however tendered his unreserved apology and pleaded with the Forum to schedule him for another date.
After listening to the plans of each of the candidates, the Forum went into interactive and brainstorming sessions with the candidates by way of questions and answers as well as suggestions, observations, sharing of ideas and general information. The interactive sessions centered on security, infrastructural development, youths and women empowerment, job creation, revenue generation and economic development.
A goodwill message came from the Secretary of Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), Comrade Nanle Gujor. Comrade Ngujor noted that such engagement with the political class with regards to the interest of autochthonous indigenous communities is what PIDAN has been clamouring for and he was happy and very proud that it was starting from his own constituency. He assured the Forum that PIDAN is in full support of what they are doing.
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