There seems to be an ongoing cold war between some State Executives of PDP and the Gubernatorial flag Bearer of the party over the choice of running mate. While majority of the State Executive Officials want Hon. Benedict Shingnuhul as Running Mate, the Governorship Candidate has settled for Dr. James Dalok.

This started when information came that the party settled for Hon. Benedict Shingnuhul as the running mate of the Governorship Candidate which was immediately debunked by the Head of Media of the Jeremiah Useni Campaign Organization as shown in the report below as contained in Daily Trust;

Senator Useni Picks Dr. James Dalok, 52 As Running Mate

The Plateau State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Governorship Candidate, Senator Jeremiah Useni, has nominated James Dalok PhD, as his running mate.

This was contained in a press release, issued by Senator Useni’s, Media aid, Hon. Atiku Yusuf Abubakar.

The State Chapter of the PDP, has zoned the deputy Governor’s seat to the Central Plateau and afterwards zoned it to Mangu Local Government Area, in a micro zoning arrangement.

The letter signed by PDP Secretary Emma Tuang read: “The State working committee of our great party the PDP, after due consultation in line with zoning principle for the 2019 general elections is hereby recommending the following personalities,” Hon. Benedict Shingnuhul, Dr. James Dalok, and Hon. Moses Tangson, “from Mangu LGA for your consideration of any of them to serve as your running mate in the 2019 general elections.”

The Senator said pursuant to the Party’s request, “and having perused the CV’s of all the three personalities, and carried out wider consultations, Dr. James Dalok, has picked as my running mate in the forthcoming 2019 Governorship elections.”

“Dr. Dalok, is an accountant professional, before his nomination to serve as running mate of Senator Useni, was the deputy director and head of revenue in the Industrial Training Funds (ITF),” the release said.

This position was also countered by some Top Executives of the Party who disowned the choice of Dr. James Dalok as running mate citing some critical reasons for their position.

Their Press Release is contained below;

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER.

18 October 2018.

Sen JT USEINI,
Governorship Candidate,
Plateau state.

Sir,

POSITION OF THE PARTY ON THE CHOICE OF RUNNING MATE TO GEN, J T USEINI. THE UNDER SIGNED MEMBERS DISTANT ITS SELF FROM THE NOMINATION OF ONE MR JAMES DALOK.

Our attention has been drawn to a letter purportedly signed by the state secretary of our dear party claiming to be the position of the Exco, concerning the selection of a Running mate to our Governorship candidate.

Our position as Exco still remains with the endorsement of HON BENEDICT SHIGNUHUL Dated 16th October, 2018 as submitted by the Party and stakeholders of Mangu LGA where the entire Exco unanimously endorsed him based on the zoning arrangement and their subsequent submission, which came after painstaking democratic processes .

We are equally aware that some persons are promoting someone that is unknown to the flagbearer and whose name was not among those originally submitted by the Mangu local government chapter of the Party .

Submitted for your kind and expeditious consideration.

Thanks.

Signed….

1, Hon Amos Gombi Goyol.. State Dept Chairman..

2, Hon Chris Hassan, vice chairman north zone.
3, Hon Simon Domle, vice chairman south..

4, Hon Yakubu Gwot chocho , state organizing secretary.

5, Hon Benchin Jantur. State legal Adviser.

6, Hon Mary Adar gar state financial secretary.

7, Hon John Akans ksm state publicity secretary.

8, Hon Iliya Zakari state youth leader.

9, Hon Martina Dakur state woman leader.

Hon Mahli Maton, state Acting Auditor.

10, Hon Ahmed Zailani, state Treasurer.

You will recall that Viewpoint Nigeria earlier posted that the party okayed and settled for Hon. Benedict Shingnihul who is Vice Chairman of the Party for Central Zone.

Though the position of the Party may be at variance with that of the State Chairman, Hon. Damishi Sango and the State Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Tuang as their signatures were missing in the Press Release distancing the State Party from the Running Mate.

The party would have to go back to the drawing board to resolve this sensitive issue which may affect their outing in 2019.

With the extension of date of submission of names of Candidates and running mates, party faithfuls said they are optimistic the issue will be resolved amicably.

Viewpoint Nigeria will keep updated as things unfold.

count | 1525

Plateau PDP & Guber Candidate, Sen. JT Useni Disagrees on Choice of Running Mate