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By,giwa alex,Jos 

The All Progressive Congress ,(APC) Hon .Abdul Yanga has confirmed that the Mangu North Constituency election  of 18th March,2023  election was marred by irregularities ,non compliance to the electoral act and use of  BVAS machine malfunctions in parts of the  polling units in Mangu Local Government Council of Plateau state .

He made this confirmation during his cross examination before Honourably Justice William Olamide ,Justice Emmanuel Nwazunke Nwibe and Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the second panel in Jos .

Hon .Abdul Yanga told the trial tribunal that he leave in Mangu LGA of Plateau State contested the seat of the state House of assembly under the platform of APC .

He is the 1st petitioner and APC the 2nd petitioner challenging the declaration of Sani Shiklak alian Golden of the People Democratic Party ,(PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC ,as the first respondent .

According to him ,he signed a witness statement on oaths before the secretary of the trial tribunal on the 7th April ,2023 at the west of mines Jos in evidence and was admitted during proceedings.

However, the trial tribunal asked the respondents whether they are objecting to the admissibility of the documents sought to be tendered in evidence but they said no objections and the paragraph 27 of the statement referred to Bitrus Kaze High Court judgment and others series of High Court ,Federal High court ,Appeal Court and supreme court respectively and are all marked as exhibits P1,P2,P3 ,P4,P5,P6,P7 .

Yanga explained that yes it is true that INEC conducted  a peaceful election on the 18th day of  March, 2023 and iam also a candidate not an agent .Yes I have never handle BVAS machine in my life  ,Do you vote on that day ,yes ,I didn’t cast my vote using register list  .

Where you accredited before voting ,yes  i was dully accredited my lord ,then How may polling units in Mangu LGA ,we have 154 polling units including the new ones .which of the polling unit ,My polling unit is in Ugwan Kasuwa Ali with code 008 .

The 2nd respondent was a contestant  and his name appears in the ballot paper ,Abdul Yanga told the trial tribunal that he was surprise he see the PDP inside the ballot paper during the election because they don’t have structure .When ask whether he participated in the PDP congress and not a member of their party .

And equally you have not participated in their primary that produced the second respondent (yes) ,and are you aware that the first respondent produced the list of candidates in the last election ? Yes am aware .Please can you confirm that your party prior to the didn’t challenge the outcome of the PDP congress ,yes my lord .

You’re not the collation center no I was there and didn’t have a particular role so I have no opportunity to verify the election because we have agents in all the polling units .pls what was the score you get 9,396   votes and the PDP candidate scored 24,275 -9,396 = 15,879 different .

He disclosed that the outcome of the election I could not win my own polling unit and the results derived came from the cyber yes and there can be result if BVAS was not use ,Yanga said I didn’t know .

He stated that he is not aware if the agents signed all the polling units results and not a party to any of the judgments either ,when ask that because your not a party so you don’t know no this are public documents .

Yanga told the trial tribunal that the suit filed by Augustine Timku was dismissed at the federal high and appeal court on grounds of jurisdiction by Honourably Justice Dorcas B.Agishi .The PDP repeated Congress of 25/09/2022 was admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits 2R2 which is CTC by INEC .

The second witness was PW 2 ,Mr Wumana Bako and trial tribunal adjourned for final written address 

By, giwa alex, Jos

 The Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) and Professor of law, Maiyaki Theodora Bala said Nigeria Democracy is changing because of the country’s consistent on democratic journey since 1999.

Described democracy as an organic elements of human endeavours and the more it changes ,the more you learn a lesson of it evolution .

The professor of law was speaking in an interview with  Journalists at the Plateau State High Court premises venue of the state on going election tribunal .

Maiyaki who contested for Qua’an-pan South Constituency in the last election on the platform of All Progressive Congress APC, said the election of Nigeria is today not principally the way it was in 1999.

He further pointed out that when we look with retrospect , we discovered that our electioral system is inundated with judicial petitions making it look like it’s even the court that determines our leadership.

Stressed that is part of evolution , assured that time will come in the near future which we look forward to that moment when electioral process would have clean itself out.

That is when the judiciary will gradually begin to take a back seat.So the role of the judiciary in this democratic journey he maintained,is to continue to bring back on track , people, umpire, parties and all stakeholders in the electoral process with the view of eventually having emerged  and remarkable electioral process.

Professor Maiyaki further maintained that he is confident that  Nigeria is growing  with the hope that the best of the country is yet to come.

 The professor of law who was at the election Petition tribunal sitting in jos, on matter involving  Qua’an-pan South  Constituency of the state  house of Assembly was a  candidate on the platform of All Progressive Congress APC,in the last general election, further revealed that in democracy like every Society ,the ruling of  law is upheld as no house build on nothing is expect to stand .

Professor of Mayaki who is Challenging  Independence National Electoral Commission INEC for declaring Cornelius Dongnaan the winner of Qua’an-pan South State Constituency election, revealed that the main ground of his Petition is predicated on fragrant and wilful disobedience of the order of Plateau State High Court by PDP.

 And the issue of non compliance to the provision of electioral Act of 2022, it’s important therefore to state that as democrat , I stand against disobedience to court order , and vowed to continue to profess compliance to the rule of law  with the hope that our political structures like our political parties will also key into this framework.

Professor Mayaki further stressed that he is not only confident in challenging that he won the election of 18th March 2023 Qua’an-pan South State Constituency election with wilful votes cast,also because PDP as political party in the state ,in law did not field candidate in the March 18th Qua’an-pan South State Constituency election in that regard.

This is because you don’t build something on nothing and you expect it to stand.

Professor Mayaki who is a Star witness in Qua’an-pan South Constituency election tribunal thank God for the opportunity to canvass his his Civic right and obligation as citizens via the instrumentality of judicial arm given every citizens to ventilate it grievance and await the out come of the court final verdict.

He said as a Petitioner in the matter , he is happy to have gotten the opportunity to be around in the tribunal personally, to defend my petition myself.

He further added that any witness in this case are supporting witness.

So therefore, to ask how fulfilled  l am having gotten the real opportunity to come forth and share the process of of an election, and application of the law to our process of election is quite profound.

However, thank God for the real opportunity ,and hope that at the end of the day ,the end will justify the means and the out come is to declare him winner of March 18th 2023 Qua’an-pan South State Constituency election.

By, giwa alex, Jos

Honorable Ibrahim Kanje Bawa (SAN) has reiterated his unalloyed confidence on the judiciary without any iota of doubt that the National Assembly Panel will not only ensure that Justice is done in his Petition ,and other petitions before the Panel with substantial evidence but seemed to be done.

As he that said cases are not win on  the basis of the plethora of witnesses you paraded, but the credibility of witness which is very germane.

Honorable Ibrahim Kanje Bawa SAN, was speaking  in an interview with journalists in an Election Tribunal sitting in Jos, on Saturday 22nd July 2023.

Honorable Kanje represented by his Counsel barrister Sharafa Yusuff told the Journalists that the Petitioner has today 22nd July closed his defense  after tendered the CTC of vital documents that will assist the Petitioner to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

He said a good lawyer when handling case should be up to the game and Technicalities of the profession , which he had been able to do in this case.

He further said having done what is  needed in the matter within the ambit of the law, we believe that we are in good position ,we tendered the requisite documents we feel that are germane in this case.

On how confident is he in the matter that we go his favor, he said we are very confident , because we cannot cease to have Confidence on the judiciary,

“The day I loose confident on the judiciary ,I will quit the profession . I have absolute confidence on the judiciary that the right thing will be done”

” I don’t have an iota of doubt what so ever that my lords will do justice not only to our case ,but to all cases in the tribunal base on their merits ,in plateau state,by extension nation wide.”

Hon. Ibrahim Bawa (SAN) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) dragged the respondents before Tribunal, seeking nullification of declaration of the 1st and the second respondents as winners of the 2023 Elections for Wase Federal Constituency by the 3rd respondent, INEC. 

The petitioners also urge the Court to declare him winners of the said Elections having scored the highest number of legitimate votes cast in the elections and direct the 3rd respondent to issue a certificate of return to the 1st petitioner, Hon.Ibrahim Bawa Kanje.

Closure of the petitioners’ case will pave way for the respondents to open and possibly close their defence on the next adjourned dates depending on numbers of witnesses they may wish to call.

Justice Bello Muhammad led Three-Man Panel adjourned the matter to 8th, 9th and 10th of August, 2023 for Ahmed Idris; All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open their defence in the matter.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH),  Major General AE Abubakar has noted the significance of constantly engaging the youths as key to reducing the spate of criminalities in society. He made this known today 22 July 2023 during the finals of the “Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Peace and Unity Football Competition 2023” organized for communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The GOC and Commander OPSH, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event noted the significance of sports in promoting peace, and understanding among the people.  He said the competition was organized to enhance and foster peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious groups of the area. 

Represented by the Commander 3 Division Garrison,  Brigadier General Micheal Agi,  the  GOC and Commander OPSH further tasked the youths to learn the lessons of sports which he said includes; teamwork, healthy competition, discipline and respect for one another. He noted that sports is globally used to advance social cohesion,  tolerance,  mutual respect, and used to heal wounds among nations. 

While congratulating the winners of the competition,  the GOC and Commander OPSH called on the losers to brace up for the challenges and prepare for subsequent competition. He appreciated the government of Kaduna state and critical stakeholders  for the support and cooperation to security agencies. 

Earlier in his welcome address,  the Commander Forward Operating Base Sanga,  Major Mohammed Galadima   noted that the competition was organized to promote physical fitness,  cooperation and healthy competition among the youths of different backgrounds. He revealed that 12 football teams from 4 chiefdoms participated in the competition.

In his Vote of thanks,  the Chairman Sanga LGA,  Hon Bissalla Mallam noted that programmes of OPSH have made the people realize that they can live in peace with one another despite their religious,  political and ethnic differences. He urged the youth to engage in activities that will prepare them for future challenges of life and distance themselves from vices that will ruin their lives. 

Also speaking,  the Member representing Jamaa/ Sanga Federal Constituency,  Hon Dan Amos applauded the roles of the military in exploiting the necessary avenues to promote peace in communities.  He reaffirmed his resolve to support the activities of OPSH towards ensuring peace in his constituency.  

Highlights of the event were the presentation of trophies and cash prices to football teams and individuals.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The Citizens of Quanpan local government of plateau state has been urged to remain  committed , faithful , loyal and calm  in the aftermath of the last general election.

As they are ask to express faith in the leadership of All Progressive Congress APC at at all levels.

This admonition is contained in a communique Issued at the end of Qua’an-pan LGA APC Stakeholders Meeting held at the NUT Hallla 21st July 2023 and signed by it Chairman  Hon.Kangmi Haruna Jubri,and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau state capital.

Advised them to expressed faith in the leadership of the party at all levels and expressed optimism of retrieving the mandates of the Party at the Tribunals.

However  endorsed the leadership of the Party in the State, under Rt. Hon.Simon Bako Lalong and pledged to continue to work hard for the success of the APC.

And lauded the steps taken so far by the President and Commander In Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards the sustenance of democracy in the country as they separately agreed to take the messages from the meeting to the 11 Federal Wards of LGA and to hold constant meetings at the Wards and Polling Units levels.

Use the communique to expressed sympathy and condolences to the people of Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa and Jos South LGAs, among others, over loss of lives and property in the aftermath of attacks in some of their communities.

Among the Stakeholders who attended the meeting are, Hon Ernest Abner Da’a, Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan, his Deputy and Council members; Sir Joseph Ari, DG ITF; former Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, former  Local Government Chairmen; the leadership and members of the Legislative Council, APC candidates in the last elections, former Commissioners.  

By, giwa alex, Jos

The Citizens of Quanpan local government of plateau state has been urged to remain  committed , faithful , loyal and calm  in the aftermath of the last general election.

As they are ask to express faith in the leadership of All Progressive Congress APC at at all levels.

This admonition is contained in a communique Issued at the end of Qua’an-pan LGA APC Stakeholders Meeting held at the NUT Hallla 21st July 2023 and signed by it Chairman  Hon.Kangmi Haruna Jubri,and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau state capital.

Advised them to expressed faith in the leadership of the party at all levels and expressed optimism of retrieving the mandates of the Party at the Tribunals.

However  endorsed the leadership of the Party in the State, under Rt. Hon.Simon Bako Lalong and pledged to continue to work hard for the success of the APC.

And lauded the steps taken so far by the President and Commander In Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards the sustenance of democracy in the country as they separately agreed to take the messages from the meeting to the 11 Federal Wards of LGA and to hold constant meetings at the Wards and Polling Units levels.

Use the communique to expressed sympathy and condolences to the people of Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa and Jos South LGAs, among others, over loss of lives and property in the aftermath of attacks in some of their communities.

Among the Stakeholders who attended the meeting are, Hon Ernest Abner Da’a, Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan, his Deputy and Council members; Sir Joseph Ari, DG ITF; former Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, former  Local Government Chairmen; the leadership and members of the Legislative Council, APC candidates in the last elections, former Commissioners.  

By, giwa alex,Jos

The Plateau State House of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in plateau  has on Tuesday 19th July 2023 adjourned to  2nd August 2023 for the 1st Respondent INEC to open  defense in a suit filed by Hon. Wallangko Sylvester Ibrahim of the All Progressives Congress ,(APC) against the declaration of Hon. Maren Ishaku ,Member Representing  Bokkos State Constituency in the 10th assembly .

Mr  Wallangko of the All Progressive Congress APC, who  is the first Petitioner in the case  challenging the election of Hon. Ishaku Maren 2nd and Independent National Electoral Commission INEC 3rd Respondent respectively for declaring the 2nd respondent winner of 18th March  House of Assembly Bokkos Constituency winner.

When the matter came up for continuation of hearing , counsel to the Petitioners Barr. Leo Ebi told the court that the matter is slated for hearing , however seeks the trial  tribunal leave to present some  public harmless  documents sought  to be tender through the bar. 

He tendered the documents to the tribunal ,and Honourable Justice Tukur Mohammed granted the application and was   marked as Exhibits P17a&b.

Hon. Wallangko Sylvester who is the immediate past  Commissioner for budget  contested  for the seat of  state House of Assembly  in Bokkos Constituency .

 The Wallangko who doubled as  witness in the case , during cross  examination in Chief, said he was  a retired civil Servant, and a politician  resident in Kwatas ward of Bokkos LG. 

In his  disposition  statement on oath dated 7th April ,2023  in respect of the House of Assembly Election of Bokkos Constituency. The  paragraphs of his statement on oath which he referenced during his statement and was adopted.

Honorable Wallangko was asked if he cast his vote  during the election ? ,he said yes.

If he was accredited with the use of BVAS machine ,and his face was  captured,he answered in the affirmative.

In further cross examination ,he was asked if his party,  All Progressive Congress APC was on the ballot paper ,he said yes, whether PDP was also on the ballot  too, he said yes but wrongly because by subsisting court judgement, PDP was not suppose to be on the ballot .

Further asked to confirm if not the INEC responsible for the clearance of political parties, by  if he is member of People’s Democratic Party PDP, he said yes.

When  asked see he not a member of  PDP, he will not know what is happening in the party, he said no,I left PDP in 2015  .

On further cross examination,if he Challenged the nomination and sponsorship of the 2nd Respondent by the 3rd Respondent as a candidate in the aforementioned Election,he said no.

The former Commissioner of budget ,and the candidate of APC plateau state House of Assembly Bokkos Constituency,told the court that INEC conducted a repeated Congress for PDP ,25th September ,2023.

To give more proof to his claim,the witness was asked to read a portion of exhibit  titled”Comprehensive Reports of INEC on PDP Congress held at Land field on the  25th September 2023.

whether he still stand by  his statement that the candidacy of PDP is done in an error,he said that is why he is presently in court to challenge the process in court.

The witness who claimed to have left PDP  and decamped to APC in 2015,was giving Exhibit pa2a&b, Pa3a&b, Pa4a&b,Pa11a&b,P14&16 were showed to him for identification which have to do with series of court judgements of PDP Congress  .

Whether he read all the cases mentioned relating to the conduct of  PDP Congress, if PDP is in disobedient to the various court judgements in Exhibit PIa&b which has  to do with Britus Kaze case against PDP,he answered yes.

When further cross examined and asked on the last case he made mentioned of in his disposition on oath in Exhibit-Pa7a&b which has to do with the case of Musa Agah that was the last of the case you mentioned  28th Oct 2023.

When asked if he has any other cases regarding to lack of  structure of PDP  in the state, he said there are some other cases which he didn’t make reference to for the tribunal documentation.

He further said the case mentioned came after the case of Musa Agah of 28th Oct 2022.

Asked if he challenged the Election that brought the 2nd Respondent on board as PDP candidate ,he said that is the reason he is in the court to challenge the  candidacy of the 2nd Respondent of people Democratic party PDP.

And also admitted that non of the people that contested on the platform of the party Challenge the candidacy of PDP.

When further asked to confirm  Exhibit 18 the letter of honorable Choco of the people’s Democratic party PDP, dated 29th April 2022. And also asked to confirm that the letter was written after the repeated Congress,and answer the affairmative.

If he is aware of the Timku , PDP judgement dated 2nd Dec, 2023 which came before the judgment referred to date,he said he didn’t know.

If he is aware that the court  said PDP is not in any way  violation of the party’s Constitution in Section 50 Sub1 which stated that NWC shall be in position to resolve all choices of candidates in the party related issues.

Wallangko said the NWC cannot Carry out the said function without the input of the state Exco.

The matter is adjourned to 2nd August for the 1st Respondent to open defense.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The Langtang North Central of the  State House of Assembly Election Tribunal has reserved ruling to the petition filed by the All Progressive Congress ,(APC) candidate ,Hon Cirdum Nanbol Josiah against Nanbol Buromfwat of the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, to be communicated to parties .

Jim Gotom ,Esq ,counsel to the petitioners told the trial tribunal that the case was scheduled for hearing on motion on notice filed by the petitioners and then the main motion  which INEC reacted and also filed the replied by the petitioners .

The 2nd and 3rd respondents told the trial tribunal that they’re all ready to proceeds and the petitioners ,Jim Gotom explains their motion on notice dated 8/7/2023 and filed on 10/07/2023 were the application is seeking the relief and prayers which is predicted on 8 grounds in support of application is a 6 paragraphs affidavit and attached to the petitioners was a written address .

The petitioners urged the trial tribunal to grant his application and allow it scale through to readmit the 4th&5th respondents join the suit as party .

W.A.Olajide ,counsel to independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC,as the first respondent which response to the petitioners request was dated  17/07/2023 and filed on 19/07/2023  they explained that it was on point of law as adopted .

Then ,the 2nd and 3rd respondents Mr Bitrus Fwangshak ,Esq ,says the response dated 03/07/2023 is a reply on point of law and filed on the 14/07/2023 ,we hereby adopt it as our oral evidence by urging the trial tribunal grant the application as prayed .

The first respondent ,Olajide in their  position filed a written address dated 17/07/2023 and filed on 17/07/2023 ,we adopt and rely on all the legal argument by urging the trial tribunal to dismiss that the petitioners  didn’t have the sole power because it is not a criteria or jurisprudence to put nothing on nothing in the present case where the tribunal will exercise inherent power over matter it had already struck out .

According to him ,the petitioners can’t go on negotiating for the 4th&5th jurisprudence which was earlier strike out the coming in of the Labour Party and it candidate ,Hon .Daniel Nanbol-listic . it is a final order clarified their intention in the ruling of Appeal Court were the Supreme court judgment settled the uproar .

The 3rd respondent filed a reply on point of law dated 11/07/2023 they adopted as oral argument in the application .

This application is death on arrival been paragraphs 47 subsection 1 the provision said no motion shall be move except on extreme circumstances were we have concluded the Pre-hearing session so bring a fresh application at this stage has no legal jurisprudence where you can’t put nothing on nothing so it is death on arrival whatsoever .

In as much this application seeks the discretion of the trial tribunal that there is non in this ,urged the court to dismiss the application .

By, giwa alex, Jos

While citizens of Mangu LGA are yet to recover from the shock, trauma and pains of the senseless killings and monumental destruction of lives and properties as a result of the attacks by terrorist elements on innocent people across the LGA in the past few weeks and praying for God’s intervention to bring an end to the carnage, we were suddenly stricken with the above caption write up by some Mwaghavul youths.

 Ordinarily we  wouldn’t have bordered to dignify them with a response but for the purpose of clarity, objectivity and keeping the records straight and true representation of  the position of the good people of Pyam Chiefdom in its proper perspective we deem it necessary to respond.

This is contained in a press statement dated 19th July 2023, signed by Abubakar Iliyasu and Wuddeama Samuel for Concerned Pyam Youths, Pyam Chiefdom, 

Mangu LGA, Plateau State

According to the statement, is a fact and on record that from history and time immemorial, the Pyam people are very peaceful and accommodating to all other immigrant tribes and have been coexisting peacefully with all our neighbours including the Mwaghavul people who are the most closest and have intermarried for generations.

Whatever misunderstanding that may arise has always been resolved amicably by elders and traditional rulers to foster and maintain the existing harmonious relationship between the two major tribes of Mangu LGA.

With every sense of honesty and sincerity,the Pyam nation is sympathizing and sharing the same pains of what the Mwaghavul people are going through because the carnage and wantoon destruction of lives and properties and sacking of villages is happening to people we know and people that we relate in our day to day activities and some are having our daughters in marriage and only people without emphaty and humanity that will not be touched and worried about the terrible and disturbing security situation in Mwaghavul land.

We are equally  conscious of the Hausa adage that  says, “idan gyemun dan’uwanka ya kama da wuta ka nemi ruwa ka shafa wa naka”  and what goes around comes around meaning whatever bad  thing that is happening in Mwaghavul land has a tendency of spilling over to Pyam land and therefore, we will never wish the Mwaghavul people  bad thing talk less of a calamity of high proportion as this.

It is our view that whatever grievances,  problems or concern that the Mwaghavul youths have against Pyam people regarding the attacks and killings of their people should have been presented through the appropriate channels to the Sum Pyam and the security agencies for necessary action and not   through the media which is not appropriate and is very disrespectful.

It is even more ridiculous and shameful that the wild, dangerous, reckless and baseless allegations is without any varifiable facts. Evidences indicated that it is ill conceived to portray our good people in bad light in the comity of indigenous ethnic nationalities of Plateau State and beyond, which is unacceptable and condemnable.

It is on record that in the thick of the crisis,the Sum Pyam, HRH Charles Mato Dakat convened a meeting of Pyam Chiefdom Traditional Council that was well attended by all including the village heads, Miyetti Allah, Fulani Ardos in Pyam Chiefdom and other parts of Mangu LGA and Fulani stakeholders,  as well as the DPO Gindiri, STF Commander Gindiri zone, O/C NSDC, and   raised the issue making round that the Fulani people resident in Pyam Chiefdom are harbouring their kinsmen responsible for the attacks and killings in Mwaghavul land but they vehemently denied the allegations  and warned that anyone found complicit to the attacks and killings of innocent people in Mwaghavul land,Mangu LGA and Plateau State  will not be spared and the village heads to report new faces coming to their areas and report suspicious movements and gathering of people.

It is pertinent to mention here that because of our peaceful disposition we have embraced every other tribe in Pyam Chiefdom, that is ready to leave peacefully with us including the Fulani and Mwaghavul without discrimination of any kind but will NOT condone criminality and harbouring of terrorist elements under whatsoever guise because we are not terrorists. 

As a matter of fact because of the peaceful coexistence between the Pyam and Mwaghavul, our people have offered farm lands to the Mwaghavul for rainy and dry season farming beneficial to all and many families in Pyam Chiefdom will be adversely affected by the crisis because they were dependant on the Mwaghavul farmers for food and economic sustainability through the farms they give out that are now completely abandoned.

It is pertinent to state that due to the attacks and killings in Mwaghavul land so many Fulani heardsmen displaced by the crisis from Mwaghavul land came to Pyam Chiefdom, while most of them passed  to various parts of Bauchi State, others stayed with their relatives that have been living in Pyam Chiefdom for many years and we don’t have any evidence that indicates that they are the terrorists attacking Mwaghavul people.

  We therefore,  challenge anyone especially the authors of the above write up to go beyond mere allegations and state the exact locations of the  bandits and persons harbouring them if really they know what they are saying.

Even as we don’t want to believe that the Concerned Mangu Youths are speaking the minds of the Mwaghavul people, we wish to make a humble  appeal to the respected Mwaghavul Elders to call them to order and avoid doing anything that will cause needless suspicion, animosity and apprehension between the Pyam and Mwaghavul people and instead come together and profer solutions to the crisis.

It is also very important to state that in the wake of the crisis the Sum Pyam ordered the village heads and the security agencies to checkmate the activities of criminal elements taking advantage of the crisis to loot domestic animals, properties and food stuffs from the abandoned Mwaghavul and Pyam villages eg Changal, Washna, Kombili, Dumulong,Angwan Baraya, Bukwang,Tyop Gudum etc,  and so far the police have arrested many of the looters and are currently under detention.

We are also the victim of this unrest, as it’s now most of our people within the  border areas mentioned above are finding it difficult to access their farms and among the images displayed by this same Concerned United Mangu Youth was a Pyam man farm destroyed with cattle grazing in.

Just yesterday 17-7-2023 our people with the combined efforts of securities particularly Division Police personnel in Gindiri intercepted vehicles loaded with suspected looted items  passing through our Chiefdom and among the 8 suspects at the time of the arrest non is pyam, infact three among them are Mwaghavul.

Our people are not harbouring any Fulani Militia in any part of Pyam Chiefdom and we are willing to fully coorperate with the Mwaghavul youths and the security agencies to flush out the terrorists if they know are hiding in Pyam Chiefdom.

It is very dangerous for us at this critical time to engage ourselves in needless outbursts when we are supposed to come together and confront our common enemy responsible for the unprovoked attacks and destruction of lives and properties in Mangu LGA.

By,giwa alex,Jos

The Riyom/Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency Election Tribunal sitting in Plateau State has adjourned for adoption of final written addresses between Hon. Fom  Dalyop Chollom of the Labour Party  (LP) challenging the declaration of the  People Democratic party (PDP) ,  as the 3rd respondent , PDP closed their defense on Monday .

The matter was adjourned to the  17th July 2023 for hearing and presentation of witnesses, but  however stood down to 2:30 pm when  counsel to the 3rd Respondent Counsel PDP, Barr. D.P Dusu told the tribunal that they are currently handicap following  two  subpoenaed witnesses were served  to INEC to bring vital documents that will assist the 3rd respondent in his case couldn’t be present  because the subpoenaed witness is currently at  Appeal court  with the CTC documents and Federal High Court   attending to certification of the documents. 

The application  which was earlier made by the 3rd Respondent to stand down  the matter for him to get the documents involve was however granted for the interest of Justice to enable the subpoenaed Witness to come with the documents ,and the court was stand down  to 2:30pm.

When the court  resumed hearing by 2:30pm ,the second 3rd respondent told the court that the documents were ready ,and pray the tribunal to tender them through the bar in line with Pre-hearing resport, that all the non contentious documents should be tender through the bar,and the contentious ones be through the witness.

Dusu however tendered the documents through the bar. The list of the documents mainly contained the various court judgements which clear the legal coast for the People Democratic party in the state to conduct congresses and  participate in  the general election.

The subpoenaed documents where accepted and tender as Exibit ,marked 3R4a, 3R4b,3R4c and 4R4d which is subject to address during final written address.

However, the Petitioner through his Counsel E.G Pwajok vehemently objected to the admissibility of the documents, reserved his objection to final written address.

Following the tendering of the documents,the Counsel to PDP used the opportunity to tell the tribunal his intention to close their case.

The Petitioner reminded the tribunal of  pre-hearing report , which allocated 7 days to the Respondents,5 days to the Petitioners and three days for the Petitioner to reply  on point of law.

The court however adjourned the matter to 3rd August 2023 for the adoption of  final written address.

Honorable Dalyop Chollom of  LP, is challenging the declaration of the candidate of PDP as the winner of Riyom /Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency Election on the ground that PDP is not having structure in the state, that the election which brought PDP candidate is not only legally wrong,

but morally faulty.

The case is however adjourned to 3rd August 2023 for adoption of final written address. 

By, giwa alex,jos

The election tribunal sitting in Jos , plateau state capital has adjourned the case involving the former Chief of Staff to the Immediate Governor plateau State Rt.honorable   Simon Bako Lalong Vs Issac Kallu to the 4th August 2023 for adoption final written addresses.

Dafaan is Challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in the suite for declaring Issac Kallu as the winner for the house of Representatives Election in Quanpan federal Constituency in 2023 general election.

The case which is for the Continuation of hearing,the Petitioner  told the tribunal that they are closing their case after they called witnesses and present documents at the bar in line with Pre-hearing result.

However the Counsel to the Petitioner , S.S Obende, seek the leave of the court to summit more documents at the bar in line with Pre-hearing result that a contentious  should be tendered through the Witnesses, while nor contentious documents are tendered through the bar.

However,the application of the Petitioner to tender contentious documents through bar was vehemently objected to separately by the respondents who note that the Petitioners application to tender contentious documents  through the bar go grossly against the final report of the tribunal pre-hearing report .

Further add that the documents were neither subpoenaed nor (CTC).

S.Y Tsok Counsel to 2nd Respondent had informed the tribunal that they equally review their case and saw the need for a witness, hence they brought Panshak Elijah Dakyen.

His deposition was signed on the 25th April, 2023 is contained on page 52 of the petition as the Respondent Witness (RW), referred to several court judgments in some paragraphs of the RW deposition on oath.

The Counsel for the 2nd Respondent applied for Exhibit 2R3, 2R4, 2R5 – 2R12 which was shown to the RW and was asked whether they are the judgments and other relevant documents he was referring to in his deposition which the answered was in affirmative.

Leading the RW during the cross examination,  the Petitioner counsel laid the foundation by asking the RW if he can identify the PDP constitution, guidelines for Ward, LG, State and National Convention, guidelines for party primaries, as well as two letters on a PDP Letterhead dated 10th June, 2021 and 19 September, 2021 which the legal counsel sought the leave of the court to tender as exhibit was granted and marked accordingly.

Counsel for the Petitioner asked RW if sponsorship of candidates aroused from party primaries which was answered in the affirmative, the Petitioner requested for exhibit 2R2&3 and asked if this documents were nullified by the court  which the RW answered equally in the affirmative, he further asked if it were the same delegate lists who participated in the 2R2 are the same delegates who participated in the report of INEC, the RW answered in the negative; On whether the INEC Report was credible the RW answered in the affirmative.

N.A Idoko, Counsel to 1st Respondent asked in relations to the RW deposition on paragraphs 6A&E on page 33 of the petition, whether the election conducted by the 1st Respondent was substantially credible, peaceful in most of the polling units in the registration area (RA) which the answers were in affirmative, when asked whether the RW was aware of over voting in review of the results, he said not in his knowledge.

F.O Shuaibu counsel to the 3rd Respondent requested for the documents tendered through RW1; PDP constitution, guidelines for Ward, LG, State and National Convention, guidelines for party primaries, as well as two letters on a PDP Letterhead dated 10th June, 2021 and 19 September, 2021 be shown to the RW and requested that the RW to confirm if it concerned the internal affairs of the 3rd respondent which the answers were in affirmative.

The Counsel to the 3rd Respondent applied for exhibit 2R3 to be shown to the witness and was asked if anyone or group has  challenge or is challenging the document, the RW answered in negative when asked about the legitimacy of the PDP State Exco using exhibit 2R7 page 44 a decision of the Federal High Court which was delivered on the 2nd December, 2022 and thereafter a Court of Appeal Judgment delivered on the 11th February, 2023 in the case of Augustine Timkuk against INEC which inevitably a substantive and most current decisions on the leadership tussle of the Plateau State Chapter of the Party both in favour of the party.

When the legal counsel sought to inquire whether it’s the duty of National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to conduct party primaries, the respondent witness answered in affirmative and further asserted that it’s the constitutional duty of the NWC to conduct party primaries for Presidential, Governorship, National and State Houses of Assemblies; he further reiterated that the State Working Committee in dispute did not in any way participated, conduct nor front loaded the name of Hon. Isa’ac Kyale Kwallu as the candidate for the House of Representatives for Qua’an Pan, Mikang and Shendam Federal Constituency.

Counsel for the 2nd Respondent, S.Y Tsok, notified the tribunal that they are not calling any further witness thereby closing their defense subsequently, counsel for the 3rd Respondent, FO Shuaibu equally informed the court that they didn’t intended presenting any witness or tendering any further document through the bar thereby equally closing their defense, while matter was adjourned to the 4th August, 2023 for the adoption of final written addresses by counsels.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The immediate past Chairman of Jos South Local Government of plateau state ,honorable Gideon Davou Danderg has said that the substitution of the Candidacy of one Rose Adams of Labour  Party at the die minutes did not only violated the electioral Act ,but wrongly done.

As the he alleged that the candidate of the PDP who was declared winner for seat of house of Representatives in the above mentioned Constituency was done in error because as at the time the act was done by INEC the party lacked legal backing exco.

Ambassador Gideon Danderg revealed this before the election tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State capital 14th July 2023.

The former Chairman of Jos South Local Government Chairman,who doubled as witness ,PW1 predicated his argument on two grounds, which includes, PDP lack of legal backing to have field candidate in the election for lacking structure in the state, and labor Party wrongful Substituting the hitherto candidate of the party.

Hon.Gideon who contested for House of Representatives to represent Jos South/East federal Constituency in the last general election 2023 , told the tribunal that the candidate paraded by people Democratic  party PDP, is illegal without legal  backing because the foundation upon which he was elected Candidate of the party was faulty.

He added that  the candidate of labor party which  later became the the party candidate is done in error because the same  person is his delegate in the  Election that make hon. Gideon the candidate of APC , under which he contested and came 3rd position. 

The matter which was slated  for 14th July 2023 is for Continuation of hearing, when the case file was called, the Counsel to the Petitioners told the tribunal that the Petitioner has documents to tender at the bar.

 But however objected to separately  by the Respondents, reserved reasons for their objection to final written address in line with Pre-hearing report,  documents where admitted and marked  accordingly by the tribunal panel.

In cross examination, the former Chairman of Jos South who adopted his statement on oath dated the April 13th 2023.

He was asked to confirm that the list of all the political parties where published by INEC, he said yes. 

Gideon was asked to confirm that the exhibit giving to him  contains the names of all the eligible candidate for the election under contention, he answered yes.

He was also ask to confirm number 27& 31 on the party political list whether his name as candidate for the APC and Musa Bagos is on it .He answer yes.

He was futher asked to confirm that the 2nd Respondent beat the 2nd Petitioner who scored total votes of 170 , while the 2nd Respondent scored total votes cast of 270.he said yes.

Honorable Gideon who told the court that he voted at Sot Gyel, further told the tribunal that he didn’t come 2nd but 3rd Position  in the election as APC scored 27,235 while PDP 95,637.

When asked to confirm that the names of all the political parties were published by INEC, including his name which appeared number 27 of the list ,while the 1st respondent name was 31 on the INEC final publication list, he said yes.

In further cross examination, Hon Gideon was asked to confirm that he didn’t go round all polling Units during election that he has agents in all the polling Units, it was the  information given to him by the agent of  those polling Units detained to monitor the  various polling Units that informed his Petition ,he said yes.

Can you now agree that your petition is based on hear say because there was no eyes witness report on what transpired at the polling Units,he said he trusted the reports of his various polling agents.

When asked by the Counsel to the 3rd & 4th respondents S.M Salisu that one of his major complaint is the substitution of one Rose Adams by Alfred Ajang , he said I didn’t know  about the substitution.

Barrister Salisu further urged the Petitioner who doubled as witness to tell the court what is his Crux with Alfred , the witness who could not hide his annoyance told the court that Alfred was among the delegates that produced him as candidate of APC for Jos South/East Federal Constituency,but suddenly  jump the ship to contest with me under the platform of labour party and emerged 1st runner-off.

The case have been adjourned to 20th July 2023 for Continuation of hearing and presentation of witnesses.

By, giwa alex,Jos

The 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Training School has graduated the students of Second Quarter Basic Battle Course 2023, with a call on the graduands to employ the skills acquired to deal with all forms of criminality confronting the country. The graduation ceremony held today 14 July 2023  at the 3 Division Small Arms Range Miango Jos also witnessed practical demonstration by the students. 

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division NA and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General AE Abubakar noted that the scourge of insecurity in the country and the world at large requires consistent training to develop the capacity of troops towards containing the menace. He noted that the training of the young soldiers became necessary to achieve effective battle-focused result which will enable the troops respond swiftly to security threats. 

The GOC and Commander OPSH remarked that the NA has recently prioritized training, to equip its personnel with the necessary professional knowledge and skills in line with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy ” To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving Our Constitutional Responsibilities in a Joint Environment”.  

Earlier in his welcome address, the Division Training Officer, Brigadier General Suleiman Adamu revealed that the participants were drawn from all the units and formations under 3 Division. He commended the good conduct displayed by the students during their training period and urged them to be good ambassadors of the school in their future engagements.

Highlights of the graduation ceremony were the demonstration on the stripling and assembling of weapons, presentation of certificates and group photograph

By, giwa alex, Jos

Despite the deteriorating security challenges confronting Plateau State, the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has said he remains resolute in tackling the menace and exploring the huge solid mineral deposits the state is blessed with in order to grow the economy.

Governor Mutfwang made the remark when he visited the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogba in her office at the Federal  Secretariat, Abuja.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration in collaboration with the Federal Government, to develop the solid minerals sector and reclaim the abandoned mining sites scattered across the state to make them useful for agriculture,  recreation and tourism.

The Governor explained that morden techniques of mining exploration will be adopted in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines to generate revenue that will be beneficial to the people of Plateau State.

He  informed critical stakeholders in the solid minerals sector of the  intention of his administration to enter into mutually benefitting partnerships to explore minerals in the state for the greater development of the people.

“In the Nigerian Mining Corporation, there are some of the assets which were left untouched, especially in the NESCO, which is the first Hydro Electricity Generating Company which the mining Corporation had about 9 percent of the shares. 

“Although the company is not doing well now and if we can enter into discussions under the Public Private Partnership, PPP, we will be able to bring together, all the shareholders to see what we can make out of it for the benefit of the state” he stated.

The Managing Director, Plateau Investments and Property Development Company, Hon. Danlami Jelka described the mining sector as one of the key drivers of the economy of the state under the present administration.

He noted that government is willing to work in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Impact Nigeria  Alliance to make the mining sector more productive and habitable for citizens of the state.

Director, Mines Environmental Compliance, Dr Okono Vivian and Deputy Director Public Private Partnership, Salamatu Umar said Plateau has the highest abandoned mining sites that require reclamation.

According to them, a study conducted by the Ministry indicates that Plateau has over 700 of the 1,260 abandoned mining sites across the country and said Plateau has been enlisted among states to have such sites reclaimed this year.

By,giwa alex, Jos

The former speaker of plateau state House of Assembly in the 9th Assembly has said the primaries that produced people’s Democratic party PDP Candidate Happiness Mathew Akawu as candidate of Pengana Constituency in Bassa LG of plateau State in the last election is a fraudulent structure that lack legal back.

Urged the Election Tribunal to nullify the election that declared Mathew Akawu winner of Pengana Constituency house of Assembly Election , or better still declare him winner of said Constitueny in the state house of Assembly instead of the 2nd respondent.

Hon. Sanda Yakubu  Jackson who is PW2 , Star witness doubled as the Petitioner in a case between himself Vs Mathew Happiness Akawu 2nd respondent make the request during his testimony before the National/State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in plateau state.

When the case file was called, the Counsel to the Petitioner told the court that the matter is slated today for  commencement of hearing and has two witnesses in court.

And further sort the permission of the court to tender some documents at the bar in line with the tribunal’s Pre-hearing result, the application to tender documents was objected to by the respondents , and reserved their separate reasons to final written address.

The PW2 who gives his name as hon. Sanda Yakubu Jackson ,leave in  Low Cost , a Politician by profession disposed to his statement on oath dated 7th April 2023.

On cross examination by the Counsel to 2nd/3rd Respondent whether he is member of PDP, he said no.

He was further asked because you are not member of PDP, and you don’t participate actively in their Political activities, you wouldn’t know wether the 1st respondent conducted  primary that produced the 2nd respondent as it candidate, he said no.

In further cross examination the former speaker was asked to confirm that INEC is in position to publish the names of all the political parties,and that INEC did all that ,he said yes. When asked whether he challeged the illegal emergence of the 2nd respondent as the candidate of the 3rd respondent, he said no , that is why I am here now,he maintained.

In further cross examination, he was asked that as not a member of PDP, you may not know that the 3rd respondent conducted her primary that qualify the 2nd respondent to a legal candidate of the 3rd respondent ,he said yes.

wether anybody from APC ,and the Petitioner himself challeged the the sponsorship of the 2nd respondent,if he was able to see the signed 2nd respondent normination form he said no.  

 in a further cross if is aware of any judgement that nullified the PDP Congress , Hon. Sanda Yakubu Jackson said examination.

The Petitioner applied to tender another documents , which was vehemently objected by the 2nd &3rd repondent and reserved reasons for final written address.

Earlier, PW1 who give his name as Sambo Emmanuel leaving in Mista Ali and a student and politican by profession told the tribunal that he doesn’t participate on the election that produced the 2nd respondent.

On wether he read the petition before signing, he said yes as the witness claimed he was the one that signed his different, three disposition and sign by himself.

Counsel to the 2nd/3rd respondent debunked the witness claim that he write the three dispositions and a result, he was asked to sign three sets of signature to authenticate the veracity of his claim which was tender before the tribunal.

The matter is adjourned to 18th July 2023 for the Continuation of hearing and presentation of more witnesses by the Petitioner.