Last week, we, leaders of the Conference of Concerned Constituents (CCC) of Mikang/Shendam/Quanpaan Federal Constituency of Plateau State, caused to be published in several online and print media platforms, a statement where we alleged that the Honourable Member representing our Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap, has conspired to sell the people of his constituency by allowing certain forces to change the location of the Federal Polytechnic, Shendam.

We alleged in the statement that we had it on good authority, that the proposed Federal Polytechnic which was unanimously decided by concerned stakeholders in our constituency to be sited in Shendam, the headquarters of the constituency, had been taken to Zandi, Jos East Local Government, after a resolution of the House of Representatives. 

We stated that while the debate was going on at the House before a final a resolution was adopted, that our Honourable Member, Alphonsus Komsol Longgap did not utter a word in defence of our position, but decided to look the other way, and we interpreted his action as compromise and against the interest of the constituency.

We also observed that were it not that he compromised or sold out against the interest of his people, that he would have issued a statement like he did in the past to state his disagreement with that position.

Based on that, we went further to threaten that we will commence the process to recall the Honourable Member from the House if he fails to take action on the matter. 

REGRETS

But we have since discovered that our observations do not reflect the reality on ground and that we have lied against the Honourable Member. 

We have also realised our conclusions were drawn based on a false premise and lack of understanding of the issues involved.

We are therefore not ashamed to admit that:

1.The position we took on the matter was hasty, I’ll advised and preposterous.

1. We were misinformed, mis-directed and hoodwinked into believing the claims in our earlier statement.
2. We have since realised that the Bill for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Shendam, in Shendam Local Government of Plateau State, is intact and has not been tampered with.
3. That the location still remains Shendam and has not been moved to anywhere else.
4. That Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap, because of his love for the people of his constituency, was the one that re-presented the Bill on the floor of the House of Representatives in October 2019.
5. That the Bill has passed various stages at the House and is almost at the point of being signed into law.
6. That the Bill is being considered by House Committee Members for final Passage by Senate and transmission to the President for assent or signing into law
7. That there is a difference between the bill sponsored by Honourable Dachung Bagos for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Zandi and the Bill by Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Shendam. 
8. That mix up in the two Bills was entirely an error on our part and we deeply regret it.

Our Current Position 

We admit that we were  totally ignorant of the matter before we went to press.

We admit that we have maligned the image and reputation of Alphonsus Komsol Longgap by saying he sold out.

We admit that our error is a costly one both to the Honourable Member and the constituency.

We therefore apologise to the Honourable Member, Alphonsus Komsol Longgap, to forgive us as nobody is above making a mistake.

We also apologise to members of Mikang/Shendam/ Qua’anpan Federal Constituency to forgive us for trying to mislead them.

We make this apology in good faith having realised our mistake.

We affirm that we have faith in the Honourable Member who is doing a good job to ensure quality representation for our constituency. 

Warning to those that misled us

We feel it would not be fair to conclude this statement without saying a word or two about those that misled us into issuing the earlier statement.

Though they’re still owing us part of the money they promised us, we are ready to let go because we do not share in their desperation to smear the image of our hardworking representative.

We however advise the person behind this campaign of calumny, a former commissioner in the Joshua Dariye cabinet, who is a latter day joiner to the APC, to desist from these acts of political brigandage.

These were the same antics he employed during the Dariye administration that brought disaffection to that administration and it would be unfortunate for him to continue in that direction. 

He should spare the Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong administration of these cowboy antics as it will not help the state. 

We seize this opportunity to congratulate Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap on the vote of confidence passed on him by the Pangshoom Ward of Shendam Local Government. 

SHALWUS LUCAS, 
Convener,
MR PETER MAISHIK, 
Chairman,
MAL. UMARU U. DATONG,
PRO.

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Letter of Apology to Hon. Alphonsus Komsol Longgap Over our Allegation on Federal Polytechnic, Shendam.