As the pioneer Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly in the fourth Republic, am perturbed about the return to the dark days of dictatorship which we collectively fought to end.

Among many reasons as to why laws are made include justice,  and streghtenting of institutions responsible for the sustainability of human society. When laws of society becomes abused by the same people responsible for it’s implementations, then what hope lies for common man? Unfortunately, this is the sad descent we have plunged into.

When the People’s Democratic Party during the Government of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (Rtd) set up the EFCC and ICPC,  our vision was clearly to fight corruption, instill discipline and probity in the polity irrespective of sentiments. Today,  whatever modest gains we recorded has been eroded as the anti corruption crusade has taken a negative dimension; it is now selective and vindictive.

Our father and leader, Distinguished Senator Jonah David Jang in contrast to many have always availed himself on issues bordering around his stewardship as Executive Governor of Plateau State. Suffice to say,  that he believes that every occupant of any office should be ready to give account one day .

On numerous occasions, never has he turned down the invitation of the EFCC and the ICPC; something uncommon. Never!  Yet,  the EFCC a creation of the law choose not take his good behavior into account and placed him in custody for more than 72 hours without been charged to court and even denying him his medication. This is the same EFCC who awarded Senator Jang an award as the best Governor based on transparency.

Corruption must be fought within the armbit of the law. This is exactly where the EFCC and ICPC is always getting it wrong and it explains why it hasn’t been able to achieve much as most of its cases end up either been thrown out by the courts or been withdrawn.

If there was any suspicion that the Plateau State Government has a hand in the persecution of Senator Jang, the unfortunate statement credited to Governor Lalong confirms such.  The Governor’s statement was not only reckless but a reflection of the inferiority complex that continues to shadow the current Government.

Furthermore,  the coincidence of EFCC and ICPC bringing charges against Senator Jang at the same time and filling the same charges (an abuse of court process)  tells a lot. The withdrawal of the charges filled by ICPC was only an afterthought.

Is it that there is no synergy between the two organizations or was it that they were in such a haste to please those who sent them as the fear of the Jang factor in the 2019 election is giving the current Government sleepless nights that they couldn’t cover their tracks?

Senator Jang whose indelible footprints litter the nooks and crannies of Plateau does not deserve this treatment. I say this without prejudice to the obligation of the anti corruption agencies. They are duty bound to fight corruption but within the confines of the law and not to hound individuals moreso a leader with an unblemished record of trail blazing performance in three States with no corruption tar.

Despite all,  our consolation lies on three things;

– Senator Jang is before an upright judge,  Justice Longji and we are optimistic that Senator Jang will come out of this victorious and smiling.

– The tremendous love showered on him by the good people of Plateau through their presence and solidarity at the court.

– The visit by high profile citizens of Nigeria not just from Plateau but across the country to the Jos prisons in solidarity to Senator Jang is a testament of the goodwill he has garnered as the architect of modern Plateau and a principled elder statesman.

As I anticipate by the grace of God the release of my father and leader on bail tomorrow, I humbly plead that Plateau citizens, teeming supporters of Distinguished Senator Jang, my supporters, and members of the PDP maintain decorum in the face of state sponsored provocation. No matter how long the night is,  daylight is sure to come.

Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika is a Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and assented Gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the PDP in Plateau State.