Approx. 1 week ago, ViewPointNigeria reported of a group called the “Plateau North Political Front” (PNPF), who were vigorously championing the retention of the Governorship seat within the Plateau Northern Senatorial zone. Their argument was principally on the fact that zoning was never enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and that all Senatorial zones have had a chance to govern and therefore, another cycle of “fair” politicking should begin from the Northern Senatorial zone. 

Listening the arguments and counter arguments of zoning/or not, ViewPointNigeria has reached out to the group, to understand their points of view, motivation and cause.

Approximately 1 week ago, ViewPointNigeria reported of a group called the “Plateau North Political Front” (PNPF), who were vigorously championing the retention of the Governorship seat within the Plateau Northern Senatorial zone. Their argument was principally on the fact that zoning was never enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and that all Senatorial zones have had a chance to govern and therefore, another cycle of “fair” politicking should begin from the Northern Senatorial zone. 

Listening the arguments and counter arguments of zoning/or not, ViewPointNigeria has reached out to the group, to understand their points of view, motivation and cause.

In a discussion yesterday, with the Chairman of the group, Evangelist Daniel Izang (the past Chairman of Jos East LGA), the Chairman contended that their purpose of incorporation was very clear -for the actualisation of the retention of the Governorship seat at the Northern zone. He described his group as a collection of seasoned technocrats, politicians and administrators e.g., Ngo Mary Dang (Public servant), Mrs. Jummai Madaki (Experienced Journalist) amongst others. He said that with such calibre of people, their thoughts and ideas are well thought through, and that their views are not only guided by the fact that they seek to achieve the installation of a Northern candidate, “but principally because they wish for a better Plateau”. “A Plateau where we select our leaders based on leadership capacity and not simply based on primordial sentiments”, he said.

Below are excepts of a press release sent by PNPF’s Media Officer to ViewPointNigeria ahead of the discussion (Note: these are excepts of a section of the document, that describes the group’s objectives, the full document is bulky).

OUR STAND: Plateau North Political Forum (PNPF)

1. That the Northern Senatorial Zone having analyzed our political journey in time, do here resolve that we reserve the right and so retain our position to contest the 2015 Gubernatorial elections of the State under the banner of out GREAT party, the PDP.

2. That there has never been any circumstance where the governorship position has been zoned to any sanatorial district, either covertly or otherwise. We challenge anybody with such claims to step forward and present their case/facts, if ever there was such an agreement entered in our political history. We make bold to also challenge any person or group of persons with any evidence as to the kind of convention where such tailored arrangements were made. At least we know of the round-table negotiations that took place in England where ouf territorial sovereignty was secured culminating in our independence in 1960. We ask; if assuming such agreement were entered into, why must it be that whenever an election was to take place in any political dispensation, all candidates from the three Senatorial zones always come to slug it out without recourse to such “agreement”? Why would the zone or zones that have serve as Governor(s) in the state still come out to contest and not allowing those zones that had never had a chance at the Government House to contest? Our position is highly hinged or contingent on the truth that as Social Democrats there is no rigidity in politics and no alternatives to free and fair party politics.

3. It is our candid believe that even in non-conventional arrangements or agreements, the law of nature demands equity and justice; that what is fair to the receiver is equally fair to the giver. That it must be fair to all concerned and must connote elements of who stands to benefits. And above all it must build friendship and sustains mutuality for our necessary existence.

4. That we consider the demand by the Central or Southern zones to be conceded the slot as highly incongruous, inconsistent to true democrats tenets, unmatched, unfit, unheard, unreasonable, unthinkable, inequitable, inessentials, inept and very archaic to 21st century political democracy.

5. That the Northern zone shall be logical, patient and above all committal in its quest to solicit, advocate and canvass for support of all to ensure this dream is realizable and made real.

6. That we shall respect the political feelings of other zones in their quest to seek for the highest political office in the State but they must realize that such goals can only be achieved without recourse to mutual suspicion, blackmail and or force. That it should be noted by each zone that all of us have a duty to protect and preserve the respect and tolerance of one another without rocking the boat.

7. As the conscience of the State, Plateau Northern Zone shall demonstrate maturity in the pursuit of her lofty dreams and aspirations, soliciting that one good turn deserve another. The Zone has a lot to still offer the State and it is only logical that it should be accorded the right and privilege to re-present a candidate of the another extraction because we have been tested and found to be trustworthy in good governance as exemplified by our great Icon, leader and mentor, the captain of the Redemption Agenda in the State, Da Dr. Jonah David Jang whose tenure expires in the next one year. We assure all and sundry that the zone which produced a revolutionary achiever, shall produce another leader like him who will not only continue his lofty performance but sustain and consolidate them for the benefit of the entire state.

SIGNED:

1. Evang. Daniel Izang – Chairman

2. Hon. Kabila Shabiri – V/Chairman

3. Hon. Ngo Mary Dang – Secretary

4. Hon. Gwott Y. Chocho – Asst. Sec.

5. Mrs. Jummai Madaki – Dir. Media/Pub.

6. Hon. Rwang Chuwang – Dir. Res./Docs.

7. Hon. Sunday H. Gini – Exchequer

8. Hon. Mary Tanko – Dir. Women Mob.

9. Monday Kirison Agwu – Dir. Youth Mob.

10. Hon. Chollom D. Gyang – Dir. Orgns.

11. Hon. Ishaku Chuntai – Dir. Finance

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PNPF: For Equity, Plateau North should retain the Governorship seat