Concerned Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Foron District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, have congratulated the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Pwajok, on the occasion of his one year in office.

The group, in a press conference led by its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Nash Adams, and Elder Dung Stephen Gwong, commended the Council Chairman for his remarkable achievements since assuming office a year ago. They noted that his administration has brought tangible progress to the Area, particularly through his unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and development.

The stakeholders appreciated the Chairman’s inclusive leadership style, especially his decision to appoint twelve vibrant youths from Foron District into his cabinet—an action they described as a testament to his belief in youth empowerment and grassroots participation.

They further appealed to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to consider Heipang District for the Chairmanship position in the forthcoming 2026 Local Government elections, citing the need for fairness and rotational balance.

Additionally, the group called for the zoning of the House of Representatives seat to Foron District, referencing the unjust removal of the former Member by the Court of Appeal, and emphasizing the need for equitable representation.

In the same vein, the stakeholders unanimously endorsed the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, and his Deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, for a second term in office, commending their visionary leadership and people-oriented governance.

They also reaffirmed their support for the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwon, for the Plateau North Senatorial District, acknowledging his consistency, humility, and dedication to the progress of the Party and the State.

The full text reads:

PRESS RELEASE BY THE CONCERNED PDP STAKEHOLDERS, FORON DISTRICT, BARKIN LADI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Delivered at a Press Conference held at the Development Area Headquarters Rahwol, Zabot–Foron on October 5, 2025

Distinguished gentlemen of the press, esteemed party faithful, elders, youths, and women of our great Party, and fellow citizens of Barkin Ladi, good afternoon and welcome.

We, the Concerned PDP Stakeholders from Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, wish to first extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Pwajok Stephen Gyang, as he marks one year in office on October 10, 2025. His leadership within this period has been characterized by purpose, progress, and an unwavering commitment to the peace and development of our beloved Local Government Area.

We deeply appreciate the Chairman for his inclusive style of leadership, particularly for appointing twelve vibrant youths from Foron District into his cabinet — a gesture that reflects his recognition of Foron’s overwhelming support both during the PDP primaries and the general elections. This action demonstrates his commitment to rewarding loyalty and promoting youth participation in governance.

Within just one year, Hon. Pwajok Stephen Gyang has recorded remarkable achievements visible across Barkin Ladi. His peacebuilding initiatives stand out — through constant stakeholder engagements, robust welfare support for security personnel, provision of logistics for swift response to distress calls, and sustained dialogue among communities — all of which have helped restore relative peace and stability across the Local Government Area, except for isolated incidents perpetrated by enemies of progress.

On the infrastructural front, the Chairman has given Barkin Ladi a new face through the complete overhaul of the Local Government Secretariat, renovation of the Legislative Chambers, rebranding of the Chairman’s Office, and restoration of electricity and water supply to the Secretariat after over 15 years of outage — ensuring a more conducive working environment for council staff.

He has also initiated and executed tangible community projects, including the construction of the Mazat Bridge, the Model 20-Bed Hospital at Heipang now nearing completion, and the electrification of Rahei and its community. He has equally strengthened the traditional institution, ensuring that our royal fathers are well supported to discharge their responsibilities effectively, including the purchase of two brand-new cars for the Gwom Rweys of Foron and Gashish, who hitherto did not have official vehicles. His open-door policy, inclusiveness, and gender sensitivity — with women and youths occupying strategic positions, including the youngest deputy chairman in the history of Barkin Ladi — have further defined his leadership as progressive and people-centered.

We are also aware of several key developmental projects already earmarked for execution across the Local Government, and we remain confident that Foron, being one of the most strategic districts politically and economically, will benefit equitably in due course. To this effect, we wish to appeal that attention be given to the grading of rural feeder roads, construction of box culverts to connect our villages, and electrification of rural communities, as our people in Foron are in dire need of these infrastructures, being agrarian in nature.

On the Zoning and Power Rotation Arrangement

We wish to reaffirm our commitment to the long-standing zoning and power rotation arrangement in Barkin Ladi, designed to promote fairness, equity, and inclusiveness among all districts. Historically, the chairmanship positions in Barkin Ladi have rotated for both elective and management committee chairmen as follows:

• Fan District:

1. Prince Choji Chollom

2. Hon. Pam Dung Bot

3. Hon. Dickson Chollom (twice as elected and management committee chairman)

4. Hon. Sam Godongs

5. Dr. Fom Dakwak (twice as elected and management committee chairman)

Total: 7 times as chairman

• Foron District:

1. Hon. Yusuf Pwol

2. Hon. Danladi Deme

3. Hon. Musa Gwom Shut

4. Hon. Rwang Dusu

Total: 4 times as chairman

• Ropp District:

1. Hon. Daweng

2. Hon. Samson Badung

3. Hon. Yakubu Chocho

4. Hon. Emmanuel Loman (three times as elected and management committee chairman)

Total: 6 times as chairman

• Gashish District:

1. Hon. Jock Alamba (twice as chairman)

2. Hon. Alex Mallam

3. Hon. Bitrus Doro

4. Hon. Daniel Dakim

5. Hon. Barr. Ezekiel Mandyau

6. Hon. Danjuma Dakim

Total: 7 times as chairman

• Heipang District:

1. Hon. Johnson Chollom Pam (served for only nine months)

2. Hon. Pwajok Stephen Gyang (currently serving)

Total: 2 times as chairman

This record clearly shows that Heipang District, currently serving, has had the least opportunity to occupy the chairmanship position compared to other districts that have served multiple or extended terms. With the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) confirming the current tenure as two years, we strongly advocate, in the interest of equity and fairness, that Heipang District be allowed to complete another term for the sake of balance.

Accordingly, we, the Concerned PDP Stakeholders of Foron District, wholeheartedly call on and endorse Hon. Pwajok Stephen Gyang to seek re-election for a second term as Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council. This call is borne out of his outstanding performance, inclusive governance, and the need to consolidate on the good works already started. Two years are simply not enough to fully implement his developmental blueprint for the good people of Barkin Ladi.

In the spirit of unity and understanding, we in Foron District will patiently wait for our turn, in line with the zoning arrangement, and trust that when it comes, our brothers and sisters across Barkin Ladi will extend the same support and fairness we have shown today.

On the House of Representatives Seat for Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency

We also wish to appreciate the people of Barkin Ladi for their overwhelming support during the last general elections, where our illustrious son, Hon. Ibrahim Gyendeng, was elected on the platform of the PDP to represent the Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency — a mandate unfortunately truncated barely six months into office by the Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem–led Appeal Court judgment. Even the Supreme Court, in its wisdom, described the decision as “unfortunate.”

In the spirit of fairness and justice, we appeal to our brothers across Barkin Ladi and Riyom to support Foron District to produce the next House of Representatives member in the 2027 general elections. This will not only compensate for the injustice suffered but also sustain the bond of friendship, equity, and mutual respect we have always shared.

We equally trust that our brothers from Riyom, who overwhelmingly won the senatorial seat on the platform of the PDP — where the distinguished Sen. Simon Mwadkon of Plateau North ascended to the exalted position of Minority Leader of the 10th Senate — and whose mandate was unfortunately stolen by the same appeal court, will reciprocate this gesture of goodwill by allowing Barkin Ladi to re-contest for the House of Representatives seat. We particularly believe and support His Excellency Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to run again, alongside our mother, Her Excellency Ngo Josephine Piyo.

We also wish to support the usual tradition of a two-term tenure for the State House of Assembly, where Fan District’s mandate was stolen from the PDP in the last general elections. We therefore fully support Fan District to seek re-election for the State House of Assembly seat, and Foron District should enjoy this same gesture in due course.

Commendation and Endorsement of His Excellency Governor Caleb Mutfwang

We commend the purposeful leadership and transformative governance of His Excellency Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, whose administration, anchored on the three pillars of governance — Peace, Security, and Good Governance; Economic Revitalization and Infrastructural Renewal; and Human Capital Development — has repositioned Plateau State as a hub of progress and stability.

The Governor’s achievements within just two years — in infrastructure development, peacebuilding, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, tourism, environmental sustainability, education, and the transport sector through the Metro Buses and Plateau Express initiatives — speak volumes of his passion for the people. We equally wish to use this opportunity to appreciate His Excellency for his interest in reworking the Korot–Fan–Mangu Halle Road and completing the Mararaban Foron–Zaron–Bakin Kogi–Kadunung–Langai–Gindiri Road, which we have learned have been captured in the budget and earmarked for execution. We pray that these projects will be implemented speedily to ameliorate the sufferings of our people. Like Oliver Twist, we also appeal to His Excellency to consider another very important road that connects many agrarian communities — the Ratt–Kamang–Nafok–Rinung–Dantsoho Road — which is critical to the people of Foron. We also appeal that the communities of Foron (Ratt, Ratsat, Zot-Foron, Do Nahauwa, Rassa, and others) that host the popular Yakubu Gowon Dam be considered for potable water supply.

In view of these remarkable accomplishments, we, the Concerned PDP Stakeholders in Foron District, proudly endorse His Excellency Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and Her Excellency Ngo Josephine Piyo for a second term in office come 2027, to continue providing purposeful leadership and consolidating the gains achieved so far.

In conclusion, we reaffirm our loyalty to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), our unity as one Barkin Ladi family, and our collective resolve to support leadership that delivers peace, equity, and sustainable development. We urge all stakeholders, party members, and citizens to continue to work together for the prosperity of our people and the advancement of our great Local Government and State.

Long live Foron District!
Long live Barkin Ladi Local Government Area!
Long live Plateau State!
Long live the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)!

Signed:
Rt. Hon. Nash Adamu – Chairman, Concerned PDP Stakeholders, Foron District
Elder Dung Stephen Gwong – Member, Concerned PDP Stakeholders, Foron District.

count | 45

Foron Concerned PDP Stakeholders Laud Hon. Stephen Pwajok’s Inclusive Leadership, Endorses Gov. Mutfwang, Sen. Simon Mwadkwon