Since the news about the N15B loan request by the Plateau state government broke, different reactions have trailed the tale, especially on social media. The person of a respected son of the Plateau Hon. Dachung Bagos has also been dragged into the mud (or so they thought) fueled by some angry political players who are apparent losers, juxtaposing patriotism with pure selfish politics. Now, I’m not gonna dwell on the N15B loan request by the Caleb Mutfwangs administration because it has been sufficiently dealt with by the party and the information handlers of the governor however, It is critical for the sake of posterity that we set the record straight about the butcher Jaiz bank loan since I was deeply part of the struggle that stopped the Plateau state government signing that “slavery deal” with JAIZ bank, and also because some people are bent on twisting history.

I still recollect vividly that, there was palpable tension in Jos following the news on social media alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Plateau under the former Governor Simon Lalong, has conceded the ownership of the Jos Main Market that got burnt in 2002 to Jaiz Bank, to be rebuilt at the cost of over N50 billion, and conceded the ownership and control of the market at a ratio of 60:40 per cent in favour of Jaiz Bank that will run for 40years.

Recalled also that in 2019, the Lalong administration spent a whopping sum of N1 billion to demolish the structure and sold the very priceless iron rods for an unknown amount of money but, those who know it, claimed it must have gone for way more than the demolition cost.

Hon. Dachung Bagos courageously took the Plateau State government to court with the full support of the Plateau people. Bagos was the only politician with enough guts and courage to stand up against a wicked system that was about to mortgage the future of its people to the fifth generation, and Plateau thanks him for that! it became clearer, that there were some sinister motives by the then state government going into that deal with Jaiz bank since everything was shrouded in secrecy. The court ruled on Hon. Bagos’ motion,( the people’s motion) restraining the Lalong administration from entering into any deal for the reconstruction of the market with Jaiz Bank.

And just for the record, the all-around resistance wasn’t a political struggle but a people’s rejection of Lalong’s selfish plans with a few of his cronies who were ready to settle for a pot of portage. Different indigenous organizations and religious bodies stood against the government’s moves like the YOWICAN, The Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youths, Plateau Daughters in the University of Jos, Ethnic nationalities, CAN, Buji, Chakfyem, Chokobo, Mship, Daffo, Fyer, Goemai, Bogom, Gus, Fier, Irigwe, Jere, Jipal, Karfa, Kamwai, Kafun, Kurama, Lemoro, Manguna, Mushere, Mwagavwul, Mupun, Ngas, Pan, Piapung, Pyem, Ron, Tal, Tambes, Tarok, Tehl, Toff, Sha Tarya, Ywom, all these tribes wrote a press statement rejecting in totality the plans by the state government in going into any alliance with Jaiz bank on behalf of the Plateau people.

Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos showed why Politics is too serious a matter to be left in the hands of a golfing governor, an Abuja-based governor who was never in touch with the people. Bagos singlehandedly schooled Laliboi with Dan Manjang plus Atu joined together. Bagos showed them there! I sat down throughout the court proceedings while the case lasted and I saw capacity, political dexterity, and heroism in Bagos. Don’t listen to the voices of those who ain’t happy that the deal failed, for they are in the very minority. If you’re still not happy today, the courts are still open. Go and challenge the verdict. It is also laughable how some people are making malicious comparisons with the loan request to Jaiz by the current government. Well, Jaiz Bank is a commercial entity and they had told us that they could give us loans without much interest. So if you’re not happy that the current administration is gone requesting a loan from them, pls go to COURT!

Taking the Lalong administration to court was the only option next to mutiny. Bagos showed why he’s an (A) lister legislator. The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful system like that of the Lalong administration and painfully so. For those of you mocking Bagos today, (because of political convenience )and his struggle to keep our common patrimony and inheritance in one piece, may posterity remind you of your folly!

Thank you Hon. Dachung Bagos
Plateau celebrates you🙏
Plateau Loves you!!!

Nehemiah Nanmwa Michael
PlateauPikin
CitizensJournalist
28/6/23

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JUXTAPOSING MUTFWANG” S N15B LOAN REQUEST WITH LALONG’s JAIZ BANK LOAN & THE HAMMER OF HON. DACHUNG BAGOS ON LALONGS HEAD