Our Reporter 

The President of the umbrella association of private employment agencies in Nigeria, the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, (HuCaPAN), Dr. Femi Ogunlowo has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria on ratification of the International Labour Organisation Conventions No 143 on Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions), 1973 and Convention No 181 on Private Employment Agencies, 1997.

Ogunlowo in a press release issued in Lagos on Thursday said that the Conventions are central to the operations of the Private Employment Agencies in Nigeria. He added that HuCaPAN has been at the forefront of the campaign for ratification of these Conventions and its lodgment with the ILO in Geneva has brought the campaign to a fruitful conclusion.

He said “Let me first congratulate Mr. President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Sen. Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, the Minister of State, Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kachollom Daju. mni, the Director of Employment and Wages, Mr. John Nyamali, and other officials of the Ministry for making this a reality. I equally appreciate and congratulate the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) for considering and approving the memo on both Conventions 143 and 181. History will never forget you.

“The efforts which commenced a few years ago have become a success story with the receipt of the official documents by His Excellency, Gilbert F. Houngbo, the Director-General,  International Labour Organisation from the Nigerian Government through the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Sen. Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva. 

“The world of work is changing. Today, Private employment agencies play a critical role in the labour market, with many businesses considering them essential to ensure that the demand for labour in both local and international markets is met. Services provided by PEAs represent a modern answer to reconcile the requirement of labour flexibility for user companies and the need for work security for employees.”

Ogunlowo urged the government to ensure implementation stressing that it will help in great measure to sanitize the industry. “As an Association, we are committed to its effective implementation and we shall mobilize our member companies to operate within the framework of these Conventions and other relevant labour laws.

“I am aware of the fact that implementation of these Conventions and other governing policies would be greatly challenged by the activities of the quacks in the system and other licensed Private Employment Agencies that are not HuCaPAN members as monitoring and reporting would become another challenge. Given this, I appeal to the government to ensure that all licensed Private Employment Agencies in the country are organized under a single umbrella body. To further the decent work agenda in Nigeria, we shall be true to our mantra – “anywhere a Nigerian is found working; he/she must have decent work.”

The Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, Gilbert F. Houngbo also congratulated the Nigerian government on the ratification of these conventions through his official Twitter handle.

“Congratulations to Nigeria for ratifying the Migrant Workers (143) and Private Employment Agencies (181) Conventions. Also held very fruitful discussions with Minister Chris Ngige on cooperation between ILO and Nigerian Government”, He tweeted.

The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) is the umbrella organization of registered and licensed recruiters in Nigeria, also known as Private Employment Agencies (PEAs). It was midwife by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with international guidelines from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2007 and formally registered under the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990 in 2010.

The association provides a platform for Private Employment Agencies to interact with the regulatory body (government), labour, communities, and other relevant institutions within and outside Nigeria to develop and promote International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and ethical practices in recruitment, deployment, and management of manpower in Nigeria.

By, giwa alex, jos 

 Following  the victory of  People’s  Democratic  Party  (PDP), Governorship  Candidate Caleb Mutfang as the governor elect in the just concluded polls in  plateau  state,  the party has invites  Citizens, and general  public to felicitate  with her on the occasion  of collection of certificate  of return  by the Governor elect Caleb Mutfang from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 30th March 2023. 

The invitations   is contained in a press statement  dated  29th March  2023, signed  by the Directorate of Media & Publicity

Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council, 

Plateau State Pastor  Yiljap Abraham  and  made available  to this  medium in  Jos. 

The statement read in part,

 “We are pleased to inform you that the Governor-elect of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mutfwang,  will receive his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC), on Thursday, March 30, 2023. 

The ceremony the said  will hold at the State INEC headquarters along Miango Road, Jos by 10am “. 

He further  stressed  that  16 members  elected on the same  platform  of the party will also be collecting  their  certificate along side  with  the Governor elect. 

“The event is expected to bring together not only PDP members, supporters and admirers, but also people from across political lines who desire to witness and be a part of a new dispensation on the Plateau under the leadership of Barr Mutfwang as the incoming Governor of Plateau State. 

“There will be a reception after the collection of certificates of return at Tamarald Event Centre, near Jos International Breweries, off Jonah David Jang Way, Jos.” 

By, giwa alex, jos

Ahead  presentation of Certificates   to prospective  candidates who emerged winner  in the just concluded  general  elections, there is plans by the Independent National  Electoral  Commission (INEC) to streamline  the numbers of journalist to cover the state event to(10) Ten. 

Plateau  state  by estimation  is have  not fewer  than Three Hundred  (300) practicing  journalist, and sudden  policy  of  the commission to select  journalists for state event,   run contrary  to the long  old practice  of the commission. 

The plans  to restrict  journalist  to cover  the state wide event was made know  by some  persons in the commission  who equivocally  revealed  that  the  commission  will  not allowed  journalists  to cover  the event, unless those  deemed  fit. 

The Source  further  add that  the management  of the commission will be holding  meeting  around  3pm today 29th March 2023 to  come out with the list of the Ten(10)  journalists  the commission  will allow  to cover  the event. 

It would  be recalled that  the commission slated today  29th March 2023 to present certificate of return to the Governor elect,  and members  of the state  house of Assembly, but postponed till 30th March 2023.

By, giwa alex, jos

Sequel  to alleged  inciting  statement  credited  to the Vice  President  of Labor Patty (LP) Yusuf  Datti Ahmed, which  is capable  of setting  the citizens against constituted  authority, the lnter-Party Advisory  Council  Northern  leadership  has called  on nigerians  to rise against  anti-democratic forces  where ever they are  in the country. 

Abubakar Dogara, speaking for the Northern IPAC Chairmen Forum, stated this through a press statement made available to the media.

He said the Forum was seriously concerned about the ridiculous statements of Yusuf Datti Ahmed, the Labour Party Vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Elections where He (Yusuf Datti Ahmed) insisted that, the President-elect and the Vice President-elect, must not be sworn in or Democracy will come to an end on the 29 of May, 2023.

Abubakar Dogara stated that the Northern leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), was dissociating itself from the current moves by Yusuf Datti Ahmed and his co-anarchists to endanger the civil rule.

“We are raising an alarm over these threats to peaceful transition of power. We are disturbed by the potential uprising against Nigeria’s Democracy. What is at play sounds familiar to every Nigerian with good memory. The unfortunate event of the 1993 will never be allowed to repeat itself by antidemocratic elements.”

“We recall with trepidation the harrowing experiences of Nigerians following the manner the democratic process was truncated in 1993 when a Presidential electoral process was permanently halted and the duly elected candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was prevented from assuming office.”

“As major stakeholders to maintain the sanctity of the electoral processes and protect its integrity. We are worried about the actions of some INEC staff that could potentially truncate the victory of some opposition political parties, as seen in some States”.

“Regrettably , our Forum is seriously concerned about the ridiculous statements of YUSUF DATTI AHMED, the Labour Party Vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Elections. He insisted that, the President-elect and the Vice President-elect, must not be sworn in or Democracy will come to an end on the 29 of May, 2023”.

We are raising an alarm over these threats to peaceful transition of power. We are disturbed by the potential uprising against Nigeria’s Democracy. What is at play sounds familiar to every Nigerian with good memory. The unfortunate event of the 1993 will never be allowed to repeat itself by antidemocratic elements.

We recall with trepidation the harrowing experiences of Nigerians following the manner the democratic process was truncated in 1993 when a Presidential electoral process was permanently halted and the duly elected candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was prevented from assuming office.

Therefore, we urge the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the likes of YUSUF DATTI in order to bring them to justice. Our forum believes that pre and post elections violence, and other forms of inciting statements from ugly politicians have no place in our democratic process and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.

We do not believe that, our country, and indeed, the International community should watch as Nigeria faces yet another imminent tumult in the hands of enemies of democracy, rule of law, and decency. We have come this far in our democratic journey since civil rule was restored in 1999. We cannot afford a reversal at this stage. Nigeria as we know, may not survive the destruction these anarchists who have found themselves in the Nigerian political space by chance are calling for.

As major stakeholders in the last elections, we affirm that, the 2023 Nigerian electoral process recorded fair credibility and transparency and we acknowledge that, there are areas that require further improvements. But we also believe and understand that, democracy is never a synonym for perfection and it is not perfect anywhere in the world. We encourage the President-elect to partner with the National leadership of opposition political parties to iron out areas of concern as a prelude to an inclusive transition and government.

“However, this is without prejudice to the rights of political parties and their candidates to explore legal channels to seek redress in case of grievances, as we expect the judiciary, which is the last resort of the common man to not allow itself to be compromised”.

“This  is the decent and constitutional approach everywhere in the world and ours must not be different”.

“We must not allow anyone no matter his grouse to set us back or bring down our country. We must jealously guard this democracy in the interest of our nation”.

“They must prioritize the needs of the people and work towards improving their welfare and well-being.” The statement reads.

By, giwa alex, jos 

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim has urged officers to always live within their resources and avoid competitive life style.

 The GOC was speaking while playing host  executives of Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association of Nigeria (RANAO), Plateau State Chapter, and during a send forth ceremony organized in honour of retiring Regimental Sergeant Majors held at Headquarters 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos.

Speaking to the retired senior military officers, General Abdulsalami said successful retirement and disengagement from military service is an enviable phase of the military carrier that every proud and disciplined personnel should always look up to and noted that retired officers are sources of motivation to serving personnel as well as great assets to the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the chairman RANAO Plateau State, Colonel B. M Gyang retired noted the good synergy existing between the security agencies and the association. 

He urged military officers to start preparing for their retirement by seeking knowledge and avoid living a ”fake life style.’’ The group further noted that, military career offers the best opportunity for an individuals to train himself on how to live a simple and successful life after retirement.

Also speaking at the send forth ceremony organized in honour of retiring Regimental Sergeant Major in Jos, General Abdulsalami extoled the retiring RSMs for the 35 years of commitment, sacrifice and selfless service they rendered to the country and appreciated them for their service.

 He thanked the Chief of Army Staff for placing high prestige on the office of the RSMs and pledged to continually ensure a better working environment for personnel and their families.

 He further called on commanders at all levels to take their personnel welfare and working environment serious noting that a conducive working environment is necessary to motivate troops. 

The GOC equally appreciated the spouses of the retiring RSMs for standing strong and keeping the home front while their husbands were actively engaged in military operations.

The GOC also played host to the Youth wing of the National Association of Bachie Rukuba, the host community to Headquarters 3 Division Jos and warned the youths against involvement in drugs and criminalities. He also urged them to embrace skillful ventures for a sustainable living.

Highlights of the events were presentation of gifts and group photograph.

By,giwa alex, Jos 

The  State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ,APC,Hon. Fidelis M. Longban has accused  the opposition People Democratic Patty (PDP)  of ill-fated  press conference of Monday 27th March 2023 of trying to misled the general public over self acclaimed victory .

He stated that ,Our attention has been drawn to a Press Conference credited to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State Chapter, dated Monday 27th March 2023. The Press Conference has, among other things, conjured a very bad omen for our cherished values of peace and unity. 

This is because the PDP, through its misleading statements, is once again seeking to reactivate its well-known politics of acrimony and hate in the State. It is rather amusing and amazing that the Press Conference started with the bravado of winning majority of the seats in the National and State Assembly elections in a most controversial electoral process whose outcome is still being fiercely contested at the Election Petitions Tribunal. 

  However, the ill-fated Press Conference has raised some weighty issues which deserve to be properly investigated and diligently prosecuted in the best interest of the State. In particular, the PDP has made a desperate and bold-faced effort to divert attention by whipping up sentiments amidst strong allegations of sharp electoral malpractices on their part.

 This is utterly diversionary. What is even more amazing and curious is how the opposition PDP has alleged that certain election materials meant for some polling units in Jos North were stolen with the intent of favouring the ruling All Progressives Congress. 

 Furthermore, the PDP has alleged that some identified members of the APC have been linked to the disappearance of some sensitive and non-sensitive materials including some 42 ad hoc officials in a bid to rig the election in favour of the APC. 

This wild allegation, couched in thick tissues of lies, is surely fabricated from the figment of the PDP’s imagination. Indeed, the onus of proof rests on the PDP, for it is trite in law that “he who alleges must prove”. 

We thus await the outcome of investigations by security agents who we implore, should quickly invite Mr. Chris Hassan the State Chairman since he has availed himself to “unravel the mystery and help the police” in their investigations. 

Now that Mr. Hassan and some of the suspected conspirators and collaborators are beginning to rear their ugly heads, security agents should not go too far to get his likes as their star witnesses, for they seem to have some information to divulge.

 By these interesting revelations, we can but say that the chicken has come home to roost!4. In another orgy of vendetta the PDP has sought to malign the integrity of some members of our great Party namely: Hon. Shehu Bala Usman the Jos North LGC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi Honourable Member Representing PKK and Hon. Aliyu Adamu the Member-Elect, Jos North-North, with unsubstantiated allegations over the said disappearance of some election materials and ad hoc staff. 

This is a dramatic irony of some sorts especially when we have already established the clear intent to inflict psychological injuries on hapless members of our Party. 

It is rather absurd. The general public would recall that we have since alluded to serial attacks and harassment of our members by the opposition PDP since the declaration of results of the controversial Governorship and State Assembly polls.

Equally interesting to us are the hypothetical questions asked by the PDP Chairman regarding the identity and whereabouts of the said 3 ad hoc staff posted to each of the 14 polling units in Naraguta B; names of 14 disappeared police personnel attached to the said 14 polling units; and identity of the 42 INEC staff, among others. 

These questions should rather have been channelled to his accomplices and the INEC which he seems to have applauded for the controversial outcome of the general elections in Plateau State on hand, yet obliquely condemning it for the flawed nature of the exercise on the other hand.    

 Finally, we urge the general public to discountenance the PDP’s cock-and-bull stories especially against the APC and some of its members for they are largely speculative and meant to hoodwink and mislead unsuspecting citizens. 

As we call on relevant security agencies to deploy due diligence in carrying out their investigations, we wish to restate our commitment to issue-based statements and not to indulge in an action that would breach the peace of the State.

By, giwa alex, jos

The academic  activities  of the Plateau  State Polytechnic  Was  this morning  disrupted by angry  protesters under the aegis  of Casual  workers of the institution. 

The group  according  to eyes witness  are protesting  the non- payment  of their stipend  accrued  to over Twenty  months. 

The group practically  lock the gate of the institution  to ensure  nobody  goes  in for whatever  activities,  chanting  various  solidarity  song to probably  elicit  for Government  sympathy. 

Although  at the time  of filing this report, the authority  of the school  could not  be reach  for  comment. 

Detail later. 

By, giwa alex, jos

The ruling  All Progressive  Congress (APC), in plateau state  has advice  the People’s Democratic Party  Central zone Senatorial Candidate, Ambassador Golkuna Yohanna  Gotom to honourably accept defeat rather than embarking on a wild goose chase that will not benefit  him at long run. 

The advice  to PDP  and it embattled candidate  G. Y Gotom is contained  in press statement   dated  25th March  2023, signed by the Director -General of the Diket Plang Campaign team Benshak Dalop and made available to  this medium in  jos, said no amount of false propaganda can change the imminent defeat staring at G. Y Gotom .

The statement further  said that the impending rerun though unnecessary in some polling units in the zone, no matter the outcome, Diket Plang would be returned as the senator -elect having been on the lead during the first ballot.

Dalop noted that it is painful and ridiculous that Gotom and his party the PDP, having mischievously caused all the problems during the election, would cowardly turn around to cry foul of the outcome process.

According to the Director General, running from  pillar to post and issuing threats by Gotom and his cohorts would not change anything, noting that his defeat is just a matter of time.

Benshak stressed that as painful as the rerun is, the APC and Diket Plang are ever ready for it, since they see the process as just complimentary.

He reassured  Diket Plang’s supporters that there is no cause for alarm adding that the APC will sweep the earmarked polls  for the rerun and reclaim it’s mandate.

By, giwa  alex, jos

The Election  Tribunal  sitting  in jos, plateau state  capital  has so far  received  16 election  Petitions  occasion  by the fallout  over the conduct  of 2023 General  Elections in the state. 

The breakdown  of the Petitions  so far  received  by the Tribunal shows that  House  of Representatives  has so far received  Eleven  petitions, followed by that of Senate  with  Five Petitions. This bring  to the total  of Petitions  currently  before  the Election  Tribunal to 16 in number. 

However no Petitions from the Governorship and the state House  of Assembly  before  the Election Tribunal as at the time of filings  this report. 

According  to the secretary  of the Tribunal  Mrs  Belemon  said  so  far the state  House of  Assembly  and that of Governor  has not come with  any Petitions , she said. 

Gnewsreporter will  continue to updating  you  the happening  from inside  the state  election tribunal  when  it commence  in full. 

By, Our Reporter 

The former minister of aviation and chieftain  of  the All  progressive Congress (APC), Chief Femi Fani – Kayode is currently in the eyes of storm as the  United Kingdom has move  after  him and placed  him on watch list over his recent inciting  outburst  capable of causing  confusion or heating  up post election  atmosphere in Nigeria. 

On Sunday, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, said the former minister is guilty of inciting statements.

The UK envoy said he was puzzled that Fani-Kayode would make statements that were triggers of violence leading up from the campaign to the election.

Jones expressed concern that the APC didn’t distance itself from the former minister’s utterances, and refused to caution him.

He said: “Yes, let’s be specific, there were some people, like Femi Fani-Kayode, what is he saying and why is he saying it? I don’t understand.

“It is wrong from my perspective that he will speak on behalf of a party and that party does not distance itself from him and say stop doing that. It is wrong to say that.

“To me, it is really important, people who have said I am part of a party’s press and media campaign, well, the party itself should say no you are not, and you should stop and we do not agree. I know that some leaders very clearly said we are about unity, and that is good, I encourage that.

“The problem is if you get the other people over here, who are very clearly associated with the party and giving you another message, and there isn’t any kind of calling out of that. What would you take from that as a voter?”

Jones reiterated the UK visa ban threat to those undermining democracy, adding that about 10 persons were on the growing watchlist.

He added: “We watched very closely. We have a list, and we are working through our list but we don’t publish those names. I know people say we should, but we have laws, and the law prevents us from doing that.

“We said we will do this and we will do this. And we are gathering the kind of information that will enable us do this, on specific individuals. At the moment the list is between 5 and 10 and it is growing.”

Recall that Fani-Kayode said the Department of State Services (DSS) invited him for making claims that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), met with army general’s prior to the elections.

Our reporter

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is under pressure to review the just concluded 2023 general elections where evidence of malpractices has been established. Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country have asked the commission to ensure that there is evidence of electoral malpractices and that the commission should review allegations of voter suppression and vote buying based on provisions of the law.   Advertisement The CSOs are the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). A report released by their leader, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, said INEC should review elections where they are confirmed to be rigged.   ‘INEC must review all evidence of electoral malpractices presented before it,” Rafsanjani said in the report compiled by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG). RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Our Reporter

Bayo Onanuga has again cast invectives against the critics of Bola Tinubu, describing them as “sons of bitches” for calling the president-elect a drug dealer who ought to be in prison. 

“All those sons of bitches tweeting the hashtags #TinubuTheDrugDealer #TinubuForPrison, your days are numbered. One day, you will face the wrath of law and God for tweeting malicious falsehood about Nigeria’s President-Elect,” Mr Onanuga said in a tweet on Sunday. 

The latest tweet adds to the vile remarks Mr Onanuga, a senior media aide to Mr Tinubu, continue to make against those opposed to the emergence of his boss in the just concluded presidential election. 

Since Mr Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25 poll, some Nigerians have condemned his victory, citing the flawed process of his emergence as well as his controversial past.

The constant criticisms have however been met with counterattacks by Mr Tinubu’s supporters, especially his spokespeople.

Last year, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois released documents exposing Mr Tinubu’s alleged links with narcotics trafficking and money laundering. 

The release from the U.S. Court came at a time when Mr Tinubu, a candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), was aggressively campaigning for the country’s top political job as president.

The 56 pages court documents, a copy obtained by Peoples Gazette, placed Mr Tinubu under intense public ridicule and political onslaught for his role in an early 1990s drug trafficking case in Chicago. 

Till date, the two-term governor of Lagos and now president-elect, has not commented on the narcotics dealings even though his aides battle to defend him. 

But Nigerians have continued to demand that Mr Tinubu come out clean on his involvement in the drug dealings which saw him forfeit up to $460,000 to the U.S. authorities in 1993.

Our Reporter

Ahead May 29th swearing  in APC  presidential  elect Asiwaju Tinubu,  the ruling  APC has started shouting hoax,  accusing  the opposition  PDP of working  hard  to stop the  swearing in of it presidential  elect,    Asiwaju  Tinubu.  

The director of public affairs of the president-elect and Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has decried plans by the opposition political parties to stop the May 29 inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president.

Keyamo, who disclosed this on Saturday in a statement titled ‘Statement on Planned Protests Opposition Parties: Our Silence, not Cowardice’, said these misguided individuals have called for “either the cancellation of the results or that the President-elect should not be inaugurated on the 29th of May 2023.”

He said these actions are not in tandem with constitutional provisions or the electoral laws, adding that there was a need to call them to order because of the national security implications.

“We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts,” he said.

FG begins collection of helicopter landing levy, deploys 151 officers

Maternal malnutrition; the silent killer

“We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its reaction to Keyamo’s statement, described it as a lazy comment.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba told Daily Trust on Sunday that Nigerians are free to express themselves and will not be cowed or intimidated by the ruling party.

The PDP spokesman said APC’s Plot to threaten Nigerians to submission will not work as neither the people nor the party can be cowed.

According to him, “For us as a party, we don’t want to be distracted by some comments that are probably lazy comments, out of frustration, out of the fact that you know you want to snatch something and run away with it and we are saying no, you can’t run with it.

“APC should recognize the fact that Nigerians cannot be cowed. Surely and clearly, PDP will not be cowed. We are in a democracy, not an autocracy. We are not in an empire where you have an emperor, and people have a right to express themselves in a democracy provided it’s peaceful.

“Their statement is consistent with the misfortune that has befallen this country in the last eight years where the government believes they can threaten people, they can force them, and coerce them into submission. Threatening people, if that’s the agenda or the plan, it is dead on arrival.”

By, giwa Alex, jos

The People  Democratic  Party PDP, plateau  State  Chapter has vehemently  denounce an article attempting to denigrate Honourable Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.

The writers, under the assumed name “@HillSpring-PatrioticPlateauVoice” are alleging that this eminent daughter of Plateau and esteemed jurist of no mean repute is “already working tirelessly to forcefully and illegally retrieve from Hon. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau State Governor Elect, the mandate entrusted him by the majority of Plateau People.”

The party’s denial  is contained  in a  press  release  dated 25th March  2023 signed  by the Director,

the Directorate of Media & Publicity,

Mutfwang-Piyo Campaign Council, 

Plateau State Pastor  Yiljap Abraham and made  available  to  this medium  in jos. 

The statement  read, 

“We hereby place it on record that this is not, and can never be the position or even shared sentiment of the Governor-elect of Plateau State,  Barrister Caleb Mutfwang.  

“His call to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court in 1989 had set him on a distinguished career and budding legal practice that has spanned some 34 years. 

“So, Barr Mutfwang knows and appreciates the discipline and interconnectedness that are the hallmarks of the legal practice. 

“He can never speak or authorise any disparaging publication against anyone, let alone a very senior and brilliant legal luminary of the stature of the Honourable Justice Dongban-Mensem – no matter how alluring the perceived benefits may be. “

“The statement further  read that, to do so will not only be professionally unethical,  but it will also breach his core values as a man of faith, a family man and his style of politics. 

“Barr Mutfwang has repeatedly conveyed to audiences within and outside Plateau  by personal, physical speech and media engagements, that his emergence at the polls has entirely been due to two key factors: The finger of God and the will of the people of Plateau State. 

He maintains that the Judiciary, security services and INEC have reservoirs of immensely capable and impeccably credible Nigerians who can be depended upon to defend and uphold the cause of justice, fair play, equity and the deepening of Nigeria’s democracy. He holds them, and many other Nigerian professionals in the highest regards. “

And stressed  that Barr Mutfwang will never resort to, or agree with name calling, character assassination and libellous publications as ways of enhancing his political career or retaining the mandate he currently holds which is both divine and a product of the trust of the people of Plateau State. 

We suspect that this may be a deliberate attempt by those who lost out at the polls to paint Barr. Mutfwang in bad light before the judiciary in the hope of gaining favour for the needless petition they intend to file.

The spontaneous reactions right across Plateau State and even beyond the state’s borders are undeniable pointers to the popularity of this public trust. 

What the incoming Mutfwang Administration desires to see is a greater uplifting and better attention to accelerating