Governship Election tribunal sitting in Jos the state capital has ended it’s Pre-hearing session ,as it has adjourned sitting to 26th June 2023 to kick start proper trial on the matter.
The Tribunal has also told parties in Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023 and Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/02/2023, filed by Dabwan Alfred Clark that sitting and hearing on the two petitions would be holding from Monday to Friday and from 9.30am to 4.00pm, with a break time of one hour thirty minutes in between.
The Tribunal in its Pre-hearing report also told parties that, the Court has distilled 3 issues in Petition No:
EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023, filed by Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who is challenging INEC and the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls, among other issues in the Pre-hearing report.
However, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and the APC as Petitioners are urging the Tribunal to compel INEC to make available the BVAS, and other materials used in the Governorship election in Plateau State.
There are also strong indications that, the Petitioners may also be applying for Subpoena before the next sitting in this regard.
However, at the sitting and hearing of Petition No: EPT/PL/GOV/03/2023, filed by Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda two Interlocutory Applications were determined and ruled upon by the Tribunal.
While the Application for adding additional witnesses by the Petitioners succeeded in part that filed by the 2nd Respondent was refused.
The Tribunal in its ruling on the Application filed by APC and Dr. Nentawe, to add more 4 witnesses held that, the names of two of the witnesses the Applicants intended to add could not be found in the Petition and on the witness’ statements hence, their inclusion were declined because it would amount to introducing new witnesses Into the matter which was not initially front loaded in the beginning of the matter.
While the Interlocutory Application filed by the PDP, was rejected because it was filed out of time as provided by the Electioral Act.
As against the background, in line with electioral law the first phase of the tribunal is completed and the trial proper to commence
The People Democratic Party (PDP),in plateau State has accused the All Progressive Congress (APC)in the state over desperate move to get Justice at all cost through the back door despite knowing that it will not be possible as the party believed inay Justice and the rule of law.
PDP frowned at the behavior of APC in the state for not open to the tribunal panel that would help to fast track the dispensation of Justice in the ongoing Governship Pre-hearing session, is to say the list questionable.
The ruling party in the state raised the alarm on Tuesday 6th June 2023, through it leading Counsel ,P.A Akubo (SAN),during the pre-hearing session of Governship Election Tribunal sitting in the state capital .
The tribunal sitting which has just concluded it Pre-hearing session,was adjourned till Tuesday 6th June 2023 for all parties in the matter to adopt their pending applications.
The tribunal which commence sitting by 12 noon saw the leading Counsel to APC , Professor Kayode Olatoke telling the court that on the last adjourned date , today was fixed for the parties in the matter to commence taking their Applications.
Prof . Kayode further revealed to the tribunal that few minutes after 12 noon,the 2nd Respondent PDP, serve the Petitioner APC their reply to our written address, instead of us to wait for 3 days in line with electioral law ,we plead with the court to allow us 5 minute to reply orally .
On why the 2nd Respondent choose to reply late, Akubo told the court that it was not intentional , but largely from the side of the Petitioner who continued filing multiple processes hence confusing ,and delayed the 2nd respondent reply to their written address.
PDP further described the action of APC as not only a pointer to desperation , but gross abuse of court process which he urged the tribunal to guide against particularly from the Petitioner to save the precious time of the Court , considering the generic nature of Election matter.
In quick succession the APC Counsel told the court that the Petitioner has plead with the court for the withdrawal of 3 of his earlier filed Application which was graciously granted by the tribunal because is their exclusive rights , and was not opposed by neither of the parties in the matter.
Addressing the Tribunal in respond to the preliminary objection filed by Counsel to APC, Professor Kayode Olatoke, P.A Akubo , Counsel to the 2nd Respondent PDP, told the court that the application is just a mere pieces of paper that better for trash- Can because it contained nothing useful.
Akubo further told the court that the Crux of this matter is the issue of nomination of the 2nd Respondent by the 3rd respondent INEC.
The SAN, further stressed that APC are just interloper and busy body in the matter that doesn’t concern them. However summit that the nomination and sponsorship of a candidate by political party,is not justiciable but an internal affairs of political party .To buttress his claim,he copiously cited the case of Ndukwe against Ayu.
However urged the tribunal to hold that as long as the ground one of the Petitioner is anchored on nomination, should be over ruled because the petition of the Petitioner have been over taken by an event.
And further add that even if APC want to ventilate her anger on the issue of nomination of the 2nd respondent by the 3rd respondent , should have been done before Election,not after Election and described the action as putting the cat before the dog.
He accused the party for trying to ambush the 2nd respondent instead of embarking on the evidence that could help to advance their case .
Urged the tribunal to dismiss the Petitioner , petition and sustained the 2nd respondent preliminary objection.
The candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), for Shendam ,Quanpan and Mikang Federal Constituency in the general election in Plateau State ,Hon .John Dafaan , has filed a petition at the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the victory of Hon Isaac Kwallu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Election Commission ,INEC as the first respondent .
In his petition filed by his lawyer, S.S.Obende , the petition was predicated upon three grounds, one of which was the qualification of Hon. Isaac Kwallu for lacking in structures , at the time of the election which he front loaded three judgment.
According to Dafaan and APC ,PDP candidates in Plateau were not qualified to contest the election, and therefore, his election was invalid by reason of non compliance with the Electoral Act .
When the matter was adjourned till 6th June 2023 for applications to be taken, the petitioner counsel responded to the respondents and the petitioner are ready and filed the respond dated 29th June 2023, filed same date and the second respondent dated 03/06 /2023 predicated on motion of counter affidavit .
The first petitioner, with the APC as the second petitioner, further contended that Isaac Kwallu was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the election and the state Exco didn’t participated in Plateau state and the national convention held .
According to the petitioners, in the election conducted by INEC on the 25th of February, 2023 ,Isaac PDP is yet to have authentic structures so he was not qualified, having not been validly nominated or sponsored by the PDP or any political party as a candidate in the contest.
According to Dafaan pleads ,” about two years ago, Mr. Bitrus Kaze and eleven others sued the PDP and 24 others and secured judgement at the Jos High Court, where it was ordered that the party should go and conduct fresh congresses for the election of EXCO members at the ward, local government, and state levels.
Hon .John Dafaan disclosed that the PDP did not conduct the fresh congresses as ordered by the Jos High Court, adding that the PDP later challenged the decision of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission INEC, disqualifying it from sponsoring or participating in an election as a result of its failure to comply with the earlier Court order in respect of Bitrus Kaze and the party.
He averred that on May 6, 2022, the PDP, not satisfied, headed for Court of Appeal Plateau Division and the appeal was unanimously dismissed, adding that the appellate court further affirmed the judgement of the Jos High Court.
He further averred that the PDP was also not satisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal and proceeded to the Supreme Court, where it also lost, and the case was dismissed on December 7th, 2022.
Supported by a series of files to justify his petition, John Dafaan q
disclosed that INEC conducted a bye-election in February last year in the Pankshin South constituency, where the PDP challenged the return of the APC candidate, Ezra Yardi Dakup.
However ,the ongoing pre- trial, the APC is challenging the locus standi of the PDP and its candidate, Isaac Kwallu to contest the election, having not complied with the order of the Jos High Court.
According to him, in September last year, the National Assembly and Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal held that the PDP was yet to comply with the order of the Jos High Court in the case of Bitrus Kaze and others.
Dafaan said that PDP having dissatisfied with the decision of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, the PDP appealed the outcome at the Court of Appeal, and in October last year, it was dismissed.
The Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of the House of Representatives election, where Musa Agah was earlier returned as the winner of the election the election tribunal upheld that PDP is not having structures in Plateau state and then disqualified Agah
He further stated that the PRP and its candidate challenged the victory of Agah on the basis of the fact that he was not qualified to contest the election, having not been sponsored by the PDP, which was yet to comply with the order of the Jos High Court.
The PDP Rep. candidate Isaac Kwallu disclosed that, till date, the PDP is yet to comply with the mandatory court order in the Bitrus Kaze case.
Pius Akubo (SAN) argued that PDP have solid Exco that the exercise is professional misconduct calling on the Tribunal to disregard the petitioner and dismiss the petition for lacking in merit .
He moved his applications for the pre hearing notice file and exchange dated 22/05/2023 in response to their petitioner preliminary objection raised .
The counsel to the 3rd respondent ,Barr. Friday O.Shaibu urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitioner petition for lacking in merit in 5 paragraphs counter affidavit and three issues for determination .
He adopted all processes filed and was reserve to deliver ruling together with judgment on petitioner prayers dated 28/05/2023 ,and filed on 29 /05/2023 for determination.
The court adjourned to the 9th of June ,2023 for final conclusion of Pre-hearing and adoption of contentious issues to be resolve .
Forum under the auspacies of National Councillors of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter has called on the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop the statutory allocations accrued to plateau state local government henceforth because of fragrant dismantle of the third tires of government structure in the state by barrister Caleb Mutfwang led government.
That Local Government as the third tires of government in Nigeria were democratically elected local government council , against the background was passed into Law in 2016,upon which the election of the Councillors and Chairmen were conducted. This Law is still subsisting, has not been repealed or nullified by any court of law.
The Forum made the call today 5th June 2023 during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (Nuj), Secretariat in Jos , plateau state capital.
The forum said the reason behind their actions is necessitated by the undue interference of the state government in the affairs of the local government administration in the state,and the recent illegal suspension of the 17 Local Government Chairmen in the state by the state using the instrumentality of the State House of Assembly.
“The National Councillors Forum further said with the absence of compliance with the law by the Plateau State House Of Assembly,we request Mr. President in line with our functions of appropriation and oversight of the expenditures and resources of our respective Local Governments, that Statutory Allocations be given to only democratic structures in Plateau State and none other as clearly envisaged by the law.”
The Forum Press statement which reads in part said:
“We find it worrisome, that the Executive Governor of Plateau State Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, as part of his first official function as Governor will supervise over the suspension of Democratic Structures, the same system upon which he was inaugurated as Governor. “
“Gentlement of the Press, it is not in doubt that the Peoples Democratic Party’s legal challenge of their claim to be entitled to participate in the Local Government elections conducted in 2021 was unsuccessful from the High Court to the Supreme Court. Confronted with this seeming disadvantage, the Caleb Mutfwang Administration has opted to toe the line of embarking on illegality to achieve what the Party was unable to achieve at the polls.”
“The system of Local Government by democratically elected local government council is constitutionally guaranteed. It is in furtherance of this constitutional guarantee that the Plateau State Local Government Law, 2016 was passed into law, upon which the election of the Councillors and Chairmen were conducted. This Law is still subsisting, has not been repealed or nullified by any court of law. “
“We are aware that there is no provision in the Plateau State Local Government Law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that empowers the Governor or the Plateau State Assembly to pass resolution or an advisory or recommendation to suspend democratic structures at the Local Governments. “
“This action by the Governor of Plateau State is a clear violation of the Constitution, the Plateau State Local Government Law and the decisions of the several courts including the Supreme Court. In the recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of BASHORUN MAJEED BOSUN AJUWON & ORS VS GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ORS (2021) LPELR – 55339 (SC) AT PP 31-40, the Court said in “
Summary that;
“The Law on this point or issue is well established and it is no longer a scholarly secret that a democratically elected Local Government Council does not exist at the pleasure of whims and caprice of either Governor or the House of Assembly. “
“The misconception by the state authorities that the constitution does not intend to grant and guarantee autonomy to the Local Government is only a brain wave nurtured by sheer aggrandizement and megtomaniac instinct to conquer and make the Local Government a mere parastatals of the state. “
“That is the very mischief, section 7(1) of the constitution has set out to address and it must be so real and construed purportedly. The constitution and its provisions are to be read and construed broadly and liberally to promote their purpose: “
“NAFIU-RABIU VS THE STATE (1980) 9-11 SC 130, ONYEMA VS OPUTA (1987) 6 SC 362 AT 371, thus as Nweze JSC, had put is in GOVERNOR PF EKITI STATE VS OLUBUNMO (supra) the intendment of the constitution is to vouchsafe. The inviolability of the sacred mandate which the electorate at that level democratically donated to the Local Government Chairman and Councillors – EZE & ORS VS GOVERNOR, ABIA STATE (supra).…It is almost becoming a universal phenomena that democratically elected Governors have constituted themselves a specific most dangerous to democracy in this country.”
“They disdainfully disregard and disrupt democratically elected Local Governments. It should be reiterated as Abdullahi PCA and Ndukwe-Anyawu JCA – did say respectively in ABUBAKAR VS A.G FEDERATION (2007 3 NWLR PT 1072 601 CA AT 619 AND A.G BENUE STATE VS UMAR (CA)”
(SUPRA) AT 363, that an elected person is not an employee of anybody except the electorate that voted him in. it is only the electorate that voted him in that can fire him out. Democratically elections should always be sacrosanct in this country like in any other country for democracy to thrive. Local Government Chairman and Councillors being persons duly elected by the people cannot just be removed and their council dissolved whimsically and arbitrarily by any other elected persons in clear abuse of their office and powers. It is not right in law and under the constitution to do that”
Our Governor, who is a Legal Practitioner cannot claim not to be aware of the decision of the Supreme Court in the fact that no Gvoernor of a State or House of Assembly has any power to do what he has done. Indeed, the action in the opinion of the Supreme Court amounts to clear ‘abuse of office and powers’. We find it even more worrisome that the
“Governor of Plateau State, who in 2015 challenged his removal as Chairman of Mangu Local Government will do the same thing he complained about some 8 years ago.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, although we have not been served as Legislative Councils in the 17 Local Governments with any official correspondence with regards to our suspension WE HEREBY REJECT the resolution passed recommending or advising our suspension by the Plateau State House of Assembly and its purported approval by the Governor. “
“All the 325 Councillors who constitute the Legislative Councils allegedly suspended in the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State emerged out of democratic elections conducted in accordance with Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 7(2) of the Plateau State Local Government Law 2016 and that of PLASIEC Law 2011.
There is no justification for the action of the Plateau State Government acting in concert with the Ayuba Abok leadership of the Plateau State House of Assembly purportedly passed a resolution suspending the legislative council of the Local Government Area Councils. “
“It is indeed very strange that Governor Caleb Mutfwang can purport to have acted on a resolution passed by the House presided over by Mr. Ayuba Abok, who had ceased to be a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, when his seat was declared vacant in 2021 and has not been challenged or reversed. This is illegality taking too far.
It is laughable that the legislative Councils whose functions as stated in the Plateau State Local Government Law 2016 is limited to appropriation and oversight with no dealings whatsoever with the financial administration of their respective Local Governments can be said to be suspended for reasons of the alleged inability of Council Chairmen and NOT the LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS to submit financial statements to the House of Assembly. “
“How also can anyone justify the suspension of the entire Democratic structures at the entire 17 Local Governments for an alleged investigation of Financial Impropriety arising out of alleged inability of Council Chairmen to submit financial statements to the House of Assembly?”
“How can it be justified that the Councillors forming the Legislative Councils can be said to be guilty of not honouring a request in a letter requesting for Financial Statement allegedly routed through the ALGON Chairman when they have totally no dealings with the said letter not being part of ALGON. These amongst several queries are clear signals of the deliberateness of the use of the Public offices to flout the law and we beg to disagree with these steps.”
“We are further aware, that these actions of the Plateau State Government, are made in clear disregard and also deliberately calculated to make mockery and overreach the pending judicial proceedings before the Hon. Justice Kunda of the High Court of Justice No. 3 Plateau State over the same issue of interference with the offices of elected officials at the 17 Local Governments in Plateau State.”
THE POSITION OF THE LAW & OUR RESOLUTION
“In accordance with Section 7 of the Constitution and the commitment of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to govern by the rule of law and the recent decision of the Supreme Court on interference by State Government officials with Democratic structures at the Local Government, you will agree with me that the actions of the Governor and house of Assembly are clearly not in accordance with the rule of law.
Our resolutions arising out of the foregoing for the avoidance of doubt once more are as follows;
Our tenure as spelt out by the law is three years and is still in existence and the action and the alleged suspension in order to truncate our lawful tenure and mandate of three years provided by Section 23 of the Plateau State Local Government Law 2016 is not in accordance with the law. The plan to replace the suspended democratic structures in the 17 Local Government Areas with illegal caretaker or management committees to be appointed from the PDP is not supported by any law of the land.”
“We further reject the alleged approval of our suspension from office being circulated in the social media and credited to Gyang Bere Media Assistant to the Governor and the resolution of the Plateau State House of Assembly. These actions are out rightly illegal because there is no law empowering them to interfere with the Democratic structures of the Legislative Councils in the 17 Local Government Councils in Plateau State in the manner being done.”
“We are ready to challenge through every lawful means these illegalities being perpetrated against us and call on the Inspector General of Police through the Commissioner of Police Plateau State and all Security Agencies to resist lending aid to the perpetration of these illegalities and we ask for protection in the course of the discharge of our lawful functions at our Chambers of the Legislative Councils in the 17 Local Government Areas because we have no means of using any brute force except the force of the law.”
“We are willing to attend to any lawful investigation of financial impropriety by the agencies with the mandate under the law should it be considered necessary.”
“We request the Governor in the interest of justice and the rule of law to rescind his decision in order to make way for the harmonious and collaborative existence of the State and Local Government for the benefit and interest of the people of Plateau State who are directly affected by this avoidable disruption.”
“We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu being the Commander in Chief to request the authorities in Plateau State to respect the rule of law, and also await and abide by pending judicial proceedings to be concluded on this matter. “
“In the absence of compliance with the law, we request Mr. President in line with our functions of appropriation and oversight of the expenditures and resources of our respective Local Governments, that Statutory Allocations be given to only democratic structures in Plateau State and none other as clearly envisaged by the law.”
In a publication by opr.news on May 31, 2023 with a screaming headline: ‘Group Decries Plateau State’s Lack of Development, Questions Gomos’ Competence’, which trended on some new media platforms, if anything at all, it was laughable as it makes nonsense of their motives.
While we do not question the rights of any group to interrogate the activities of any public officer, we hasten to state that the leadership of the group is a beer parlour concoction; even as their real identities are questionable as they are filled with bile to tarnish Nde Gomos’ reputation.
If they thought they were stirring the hornet’s nest, they failed woefully without achieving their aim.
Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statement of the faceless Concerned Plateau Citizens Group because we suspect that they were sponsored by people who are unfamiliar of the functions and operations of the Economic Advisory Council of Plateau State, or they are just a bunch of ignoramus or both.
However, in order to put the records straight especially because the hard-earned reputation of Nde Ezekiel Gomos, OFR is being soiled in the public domain, we have taken time to educate them and their likes, on the basic issues regarding the economy of the Plateau State.
To do this, we took our time to ask questions, seek answers, seek for information and even interviewed some members of the Plateau State Economic Advisory Council.
First, it is important for the public to know that the Plateau State Economic Council was set up by Governor Simon Lalong in 2015 purely as an advisory body with about 13 members being drawn from the academia, the private sector and several commissioners including the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, the DG PLASMIDA .
As the name implies, it is purely an advisory body, and so
“DOES NOT HAVE ANY POWERS OR AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE OR IMPLEMENT “
its ideas, suggestions or recommendations. Like any advisory body, its recommendations can either be accepted, rejected or noted.
Apart from the public sector members like Commissioners, all its members including Nde Ezekiel Gomos are NOT paid any salary by the Government of Plateau State but are given occasional honorarium as appreciation for their sacrifice, and we understand that even this honorarium was later stopped in 2021.
The Council meets occasionally or as the situation demands, to deliberate on issues sent to it by the Governor of the State. In some months, its meetings can be very frequent depending on the issues at stake. At the end of its meetings, its recommendations are sent directly to the Governor who decides what to do with same.
We understand that Nde Gomos, OFR was appointed to the Economic Advisory Council in February 2016 as a member but was made acting Chairman in June 2016 when the substantive Chairman was given a national assignment. He remained acting Chairman of this Council until the end of the Lalong government, though along the line, he was made an Honorary Economic Adviser to the Governor in December 2021 – a purely nominal and non-salaried position. Of course, all Honorary Advisers to the Governor do not have any offices and are appointed purely in recognition of the expertise, and the range of advice they may be called upon to provide, and do not have any structure or office to implement their recommendations.
State of the Plateau State Economy 2015-2023
Since the crux of the write up of this faceless hirelings is the “lamentable” state of the Plateau state economy in the period 2015 to date, it is only fair that we take another look at the state of the economy.
Unfortunately, the writers did not tell us what criteria they used in assessing the performance of the State economy for them to arrive at their jaundiced conclusions.
Neither did they provide any indices or statistics to back up their claims.
In addition, they did not make any bench marking comparison to other states in terms of figures and data.
All we have is sweeping pedestrian descriptions- these are hallmarks of hatched jobbers who have been paid by some envious and angry person, sitting in some beer joint and concocting how else to destroy Nde Gomos’ reputation since previous attempts have failed woefully.
For Nde Gomos to be singled out of a 13-member purely Advisory Council and to be blamed for the lack of economic progress of the State when such a body has no power to implement its recommendations is laughable.
Where in the world do advisers implement their inputs?
Even if one is to question the quality of their advice, how did the so-called Concerned Group know if the recommendations of the Economic Advisory Council are not top notch, afterall its recommendations are never made public.
Moreover, the Economic Advisory Council has never been heard in the media making claims as to what advice they have given to the Governor and on what issue.
It is left for the receiver of the advice/recommendations to accept, reject or note and thereafter direct the next cause of action. He/She may not even acknowledge that the advice was received from the Economic Advisory Council.
In taking a look at the state economy, it is necessary to state that since 2015, both at the national and subnational levels, the Nigerian economy has suffered seriously from various external and internal shocks.
The country went through two severe recessions and bungled through the COVID19 pandemic which in turn seriously eroded growth prospects.
Nigeria has not fully recovered from this scenario – with inflation @22% at its highest peak in 20 and unemployment especially youth unemployment, is at an all-time high of about 50%.
This has been exacerbated by the widespread insecurity and dwindling revenue at all levels.
No state in Nigeria was spared this economic headwinds and most were in deficit mode, and even states like Lagos and Rivers, who are the only states to have balanced their budget in this period, are not spared from the shocks of the global and national economic challenges.
Unless these witless writers are telling us that Plateau State is an island that was shielded from these economic headwinds. Naturally the economic fortunes of the State, like most states was bound to stagnate. It is a fact that most states depend on the monthly FAAC since revenue growth equally faced revere challenges.
This is a State that was collecting an average of N5bn every month from the FAAC in the period 2011-2014, suddenly found itself collecting on average, only about N3bn monthly.
But let us look at some indices that will rubbish the pedestrian argument of the so-called Concerned Citizens Group
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
This remains one of the common methods to measure the performance of a state economy since payment of revenue is a reflection of the revenue generating activities of the economy and the seriousness of a state government in collecting same.
The IGR of Plateau State grew by 209% from N6.9bn in 2015 per annum to N21.4bn in 2021 thus making Governor Lalong the 4th best performing among the outgone governors in Nigeria. El Rufai was the best performer while Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State was the last with 47%.
This impressive growth may not be the optimum and while there is still room for improvement, but it is obvious that the Plateau State economy is not as hopeless as these writers have portrayed, and although we cannot divulge the role of the Economic Advisory Council in this growth, we must acknowledge that in terms of IGR, the state economy didn’t stagnate as claimed. Various initiatives and reforms are some of the factors responsible for this improvement.
ii) Ease of Doing Business
The ease of doing business in a state or a country has always been used by the World Bank and the Federal Government as a measure of the seriousness with which a government takes to attract new investments or to encourage existing investors to expand.
This is done by rating all the 36 states in Nigeria including the FCT – the rating and evaluation used to be done by the World bank but is now being done by the Presidency through an agency called PEBEC.
Using a set of criteria, the ranking is taken very seriously by all states in the Federation.
In 2016, Plateau State was ranked as 26 out of 36 states and the FCT.
In 2021, Plateau State moved up to 14 out of 36 States and the FCT.
In 2023, Plateau was ranked 10 out of 36 states and the FCT.
This remarkable improvement was made possible through a series of policy initiatives implemented by the Lalong administration which include setting up of the State One Stop Investment Center,( PS-OSIC) the Small Claims Court, Alternative Despite Resolution Center, the review of various land and tax policies etc that will make it easier for investors to come to Plateau.
The impacts of such an improvement, in concert with the diligent implement of other initiatives, will be felt more in the future and not immediately.
The improvement in the state ease of doing business environment has led to the springing up may new businesses. A survey by State of States showed that enterprises of all types in the State grew from 788,694 in 2016 to 818, 578 in 2020 just before the COVID pandemic. A cursory drive around the city of Jos/ Bukuru will show that several new hotels and entertainment centers have been established between 2015 and 2022 ,e.g. Crispan Hotel, Jagogarand etc, thus contributing to employment and revenue generation.
Similarly, there have been new agro-allied projects like the Derby Farms Lamingo which is geared for the exports of flowers and exotic fruits from Jos, the massive expansion of the NASCO Group Cornflakes Factory into the biggest in Nigeria in 2022- all with significant multiplier effects on the state economy.
Size of the State Economy- GDP
There are several attempts to rank states in terms of GDP, which is a measure of the total economic activities in a state, but below is the GDP of some selected Nigerian States in 2021
It is obvious that the severe challenges experienced by the global and the Nigerian economy will definitely affect all States and Plateau cannot be an exception. The Economic Advisory Council could offer recommendations on improving the state economy but it is very unfair to hold it responsible for the challenges being experienced by the State economy.
Debt Management
A state’s ability to manage its debt to the extent that it allows it sufficient headroom to undertake its obligations to the citizens, is one measure of economic performance.
This is more valid if the debt is deployed properly.
A check at the Federal DMO revealed that as at June 2015, Plateau State domestic debt was slightly under N100bn, and this climbed to N149bn in December 2022 an increase of less than N50bn in nearly 8 years. Compare this to the following states- Bauchi N59bn in 2015 to N145bn in 2022, Benue N31bn in 2015 to N149bn in 2022 or Kwara N31bn in 2015 to N109bn in 2022.
This level of borrowing by Plateau State Government is considered a disciplined approach and should be commended especially considering the significant drop in the share of FAAC from average of N5bn per month to N3bn per month, against the backdrop of the need to pay backlog of salaries and pension arrears left behind by Dara Jang, resume/complete the many uncompleted projects like the Mararaban Jama’a -to Secretariat Road junction including its flyover, Little Rayfield – Bukuru Yelwa Club etc .
An example of a strategic and creative debt management approach, which we must applaud the Government of Simon Lalong for, is the innovative financing loan-to-IGR model for the construction of the British-American junction flyover that was recently completed and commissioned. It is hoped that the new administration will study this case and adopt it for future project development like the Jos Main Market Redevelopment.
Performance of the other sectors
A careful study of the internet will reveal that the performance of the Plateau state economy within the period 2015 to 2023 is not significantly different from other Nigerian states. Apart from Kaduna and Ogun States that attracted massive new investments, and Lagos and Rivers which consistently balance their budgets, most of the other states had mixed stories.
These cases are exceptions rather than the rule and require special case study which is not the aim of our write up.
In Agriculture, the State Government in 2017 attracted a N3.3bn loan from the African Development Bank, 70% of was used to build 18 Community Markets, 12 Diffuse Light stores, 2 Processing facilities, 17 Spring Captures, 26 Water Harvesting Structures for Dry Season Irrigation as well as a 200km “Spot Road Improvement” across the 17 LGAs of the State. According to the then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, the fund would create 60,000 jobs, benefitting 100,000 families across the State’s 17 LGAs. -imagine the potential economic impact.
With the support of GIZ, the State Government was able to offer technical and organizational training on group formation for 800 potato farmers and facilitated contracts between farmers and two supermarkets (Shoprite and Park’n’Shop) giving the Plateau potato farmers the opportunity to deliver 30 tons per month of Marabel potatoes.
The State Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (PLASMIDA) created by Governor Lalong, was able to encourage the formalization and registration 100,000 businesses between 2015 and 2020, and during Covid-19, the agency disbursed MSME “survival fund” to over 38,000 business owners as Artisans/Transport grants, payroll support, Business formalization etc. With the support of GIZ, the agency trained over 60,000 businesses.
To enable the state economy to navigate the COVID19 pandemic, the State Government keyed into the NG-CARES World Bank project in 2021where the state is benefiting from the N8bn World Bank grant to Nigerian states. The Plateau NG-CAREs project is expected benefit over 60,129 citizens of Plateau State.
The State Government developed a policy to guide ICT development which has been identified by Governor Lalong as one of the key enablers of the State Strategic future, and part of this is the actualisation of the Silicon Plateau initiative which is aimed at driving ICT growth in the state; consequently the State Government through PICDTA launched the CODE PLATEAU Project in January 2019, a training program for software development and digital marketing skills trainings. By January 2023, over 5000 young persons have been trained and about 300 have been obtained rewarding jobs/ventures.
The multiplier effect of this on the state economy in the near future is definitely going to be massive.
CONCLUSION
All these listed above are just snippets of the some of the changes recorded in the state economy from 2015 to 2023. The writers have no way of knowing the role of the Economic Advisory Council in all this.
We are not sure but may be the definition of economic development to the faceless writers is only the building of factories etc. It may interest them to know that the services sector is today is the biggest contributor to the Nigeria’s GDP growth and most of the activities in this sector are invisible like telecom etc.
Plateau state economy may not have witnessed factories in the last eight years but when last did we see any factories built in Jos? The Jang era? No. The Dariye era? No. There is nothing wrong in moving in the direction of services sector like ICT where a lot of value can be created.
A careful study of the celebrated Plateau State Development Strategy which was midwifed by Nde Ezekiel Gomos and the Economic Advisory Council in 2019 clearly advised on what specific steps and strategies the state should take to get it out of poverty. Clear implementation strategies were outlined in the Strategy. It was not the duty of the Council to implement the Strategy.
It is not the fault of Nde Ezekiel Gomos that he has been found to be relevant by successive governments since the time of Governor Fidelis Tapgun who is credited with bringing him to set up the PIPC which was adjudged to be the among the best state investment companies at its peak.
If Governor Mana, Governor Shuaibu, Governor Joshua Dariye, Governor Jonah David Jang and Governor Simon Bako Lalong had found him suitable to contribute to the economic development of Plateau State, what is his fault? They must have found him with value . If the writers say he is a cat with nine lives, it is because he knows that if one has ideas; he can rule the world.
The so-called duo of Gofwen Amos Gofwen and Nengak Musa were probably not yet born when Nde Ezekiel Gomos used the power of the radio in the 90s to reach every nook and cranny of the state to inculcate simple entrepreneurship message under Business Foundation that made Plateau State a toast of investors through the PIPC, as well as ensuring that the government bought for itself and civil servants shares in blue chip corporations.
Today, like it or not, in more ways than one, the state has continued to reap from such investments; even as individuals who listened to him are today millionaires through the ownership of shares from different companies.
It was not Nde Ezekiel Gomos who created the sobriquet of Plateau State being a ‘civil service state’. Such people like the face less characters could be disciples of many who got laid back, only assuming that government work was all they needed without venturing into other sources to survive. Have they asked themselves why many non-indigenes arrived Jos from other parts of Nigeria with only a bagco bag filled with a few clothes and have since refused to return home as they found life attractive to do business here?
Today, such people are multi-millionaires and perhaps employing some of our brothers or sisters, who thought nothing good, could come out of Plateau State except white collar jobs, or be happy being called Concerned Citizens and be used as faceless hatched jobbers.
Final word – let the faceless writers be educated that by and large, the Economic Advisory Council headed by Nde Gomos can only make suggestions and recommendations to the state Chief Executive but does not have any authority to implement any of its advice.
The member Representing Mikang Constituency in plateau state of Assembly in the 9th Assembly Hon. Nalong Daniel has Condemned the fragrant disobedient of court order by the embattled PDP led speaker in the house Hon.Abok Nuhu Ayuba when the court has pronounced that all the parties in the matter should maintained Status Quo.
He said the action of Abok and his co-travellers demonstrate how the self acclaimed speaker which suppose to uphold the tenet of the rules of law is even the one violating it with impunity because he feels they now own the government.
Honorable Naalong Daniel who doubled as the majority leader in the house on the platform of the All Progressive Congress APC,made the Condemnation in an interview with journalists during the appeal between Honorable Abok Nuhu Ayuba member representing Jos East Constituency in the state house of Assembly who was recently restated by the court after Impeached by some few members of dissidents of the house and replaced by Hon.Yakubu Sanda member representing Pengana Constituency of Bassa LGC.
With the restatement of Abok by the High court sitting in the state capital, Sanda headed for an appeal court to challenge the judgement that restated Abok as speaker, the majority leader nalong Daniel called other of his colleagues who are currently in the same page with him in the fight against Nuhu Ayuba returning as the speaker of the house after more than one year he was removed as speaker.
Hon.Naalong said “I am not a lawyer, but common sense ,it’s a clear issues without ambiguity that when the judgement was delivered ,it was immediately appealed, which, means all parties in the matter should maintained Status Quo pending the ruling of the court on the matter.”
He further said the judgement of the appeal has not been determined, that status quo should be maintained , which by interpretation the judgement earlier entered in favor of the respondent, Abok Ayuba should not been executed because it has been appealed against.
He said otherwise ,the person recognize by law as speaker is Honorable Yakubu Sanda by virtue of what the court has said .I think it’s a common sense ,and you don’t
need to be a lawyer to interpret the language.
He said the alleged sitting going on at the state house of Assembly presided over by the embattled speaker Hon.Abok is not only illegal, and not know in law and fragrant abuse of Court order.
Further stressed that what is currently happening in the state now is case of intruders which is the story I heard outside.
As far as plateau State House of Assembly is concerned ,is governed by rules, laws and procedures, and you can’t just come into the house of Assembly ,and just start having sitting without following the layed down rules.
Honorable Daniel said as Chairman of rules and business, nobody informed me or my deputy of any sitting in the house,so you can’t build illegality on legality and you expect it to stand .
And added that as far as plateau state house of Assembly is concerned, nothing has taken place in the state until the layed rules and procedures are adhered to because he who must go to equity most go with clean hands.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no Sitting in the plateau house of Assembly ,I challenge anybody to go to the house and asked for the notice of the sitting whether or not the procedures for the sitting are followed that you can hold on to as what is happening in the house.”
Honorable Daniel who doubled as majority leader lamented the far reaching implications of the prolonged crisis in the leadership of the house , which is affecting his Constituency of Mikang as there are some pending bills that suppose to have direct impact on the people including my Constituency,but this continued crisis in the house stalled the passage of those bills.
“To be honest,the development at this moment is quite unfortunate and critical .As members of the house of Assembly, it’s expected that we demonstrate our activities with high level of decorum , unfortunately we have people from different background with different characters manifesting themselves , whether rightly or wrongly.”
On it implications on the state,the honorable member said that there are critical bills pending in the house that can go long way impact positively on the life of Plateau state.
Condemned the antic of the ruling people Democratic party PDP, in the state who have not abide by the rules, cash on the slightest opportunity to undermain democracy , rule of law , even the order of the Court.
He however described the development as very unfortunate that Abok by virtue of the Constitution ,stayed out of legislative business for almost 128 days out side the chamber , which is deemed that you have vacated your seat. Apart from 128 days,but decamped from APC to PDP, which by the Constitutional provision was acted accordingly , and his seat was declared vacant.
And described the judgement the respondent is currently holding on to as black market judgement and forcing himself on the legitimate member of the state house of Assembly using other means of the present PDP government in the state to intimidate the rule of law and the people who believe on the doctrine of truth , honest, Justice and fair play.
He said they have confident on the judiciary that on the next adjourned date of 8th June 2023 ,the pronouncement will be clear that the whole world will know who is on the side the truth.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos Professor Tanko Ishaya has lauded an erudite scholar Professor Emeka Ozoji for giving back to the University.
The Vice Chancellor who is an expert in computer studies, security and forensics, congratulated Professor Ozoji of the Department of Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation Sciences for giving back his Festschrift, and assured him that the publications will be judiciously and widely read from the university’s libraries .
Professor Ishaya who is the 10th substantive Vice Chancellor of the university emphasized that the citadel of learning has a clear vision and mission of inclusiveness for students with special needs and will continue to leverage on scholarly contributions such as those of the 2023 Festschrift donor,Prof Emeka Ozoji.
In the presentation of the Festschrift during the university management meeting on Wednesday 31st May, 2023, Prof Ozoji noted that the three volume-seven section Festschrift was titled Special Needs Education from the Lens of Interdisciplinary Dialogue.
The Awardee’s vision of the Festschrift was to make it inclusive in every of its significant entity
“concept, author contribution, content, academic writing style and tone”.
According to him, the Festschrift was based on the Salamanca Statement 1994 “Framework for Action” that deposes that everything done for special needs children must follow inclusiveness.
He also asserted that the Festschrift adopted the new perspective of special needs education as opposed to the old concept of special education: the old negates the principle of inclusion, while the new enhances inclusive education.
He emphasized that the concept of dialogue is to forge partnership between special needs education professionals and their neighbouring professionals from other disciplines who are needed related service providers in proper understanding of students with special needs and in providing adequate inclusive services to them.
The university don went further to explain that the involvement of one to the exclusion of the other is inadequate to meet the needs of these students.
Prof. Ozoji cited the comment by Emeritus Prof. PAI Obanya the retired Director of the Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA) who forwarded and described the Festschrift as a “monumental encyclopedia”.
The Emeritus Professor added that the DIALOGUE posture of the Festschrift” will serve a useful guide to all classes of users” which is a major achievement of the awardee.
The Festschrift Honouree who donated the three- volume set to the University of Jos described his gesture as a token give back to the institution that nurtured him to the highest point of his career ship. In addition, the aim of the donation is to achieve inclusiveness in the readership of the Festschrift.
The three sets of the Festschrift according to him were donated to the three libraries of the University: Central, Faculty and Department to enhance wider readership and to grow better understanding of the students with special needs.
The fourth set was for the Vice Chancellor’s personal library as a token of appreciation of his uncommon interest and commitment to the course of students with special needs in this university.
Professor Ozoji finally and humbly requested the Vice Chancellor to leave a legacy for his special students before the end of his tenure.
Highpoints were the onward presentation of the Festschrift by the vice chancellor to the beneficiaries Doctor Thomas Adigun the Librarian of the University, Prof. Musa Maina Dean faculty of education and Doctor (Sister) Juliana Bodang the Head Of Department Special Education,University of Jos.
The Association of local Government of Nigeria Plateau State Chapter (ALGON) has said the suspension of the 17 Local Government Chairmen to give way for investigation on their financial recklessness on the years they hold sway in office has been described as fragrant disobedient to the law that set up Local Government as the third tires of government in Nigeria.
Under our Constitution, we have opted for separation of powers among the three arms of Government:
the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. It is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution that any of the three arms should interfere with the other in the performance of its functions. If that is allowed to happen, it will lead to chaos, lawlessness, and the destruction of the Constitution.
We have no force of brute power, but we believe in the force of the law, and we believe that the force of the law will prevail.
The Chairmen of the 17 Local Government of the state stated this in a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (Nuj) Secretariat read by the Chairman of ALGON plateau state Hon. Alex Naantuan recently in reaction to a Press Release issued by Gyang Bere, Special Assistant Media, to the Governor .
Hon.Naantuan who doubled as the chairman of Shendam local government of the state,said the purported decision of the Governor of Plateau State, approving with immediate effect the suspension of the 17 Local Government Council Structures to pave the way for the investigation being carried out by the Government,having painstakingly gone through the said Press Release, we make the following preliminary observations :
The Governor did not cite any constitutional or statutory support, enabling him to suspend what they described as ‘17 Local Government area structures,” a phrase which does not lend itself to easy comprehension.
If we do indeed understand the actions contemplated by the State Assembly, it was a mere resolution, which is Advisory to the Governor.
In any case, such advise will not override existing legislations establishing the Local Government Councils, as enshrined in the constitution, which is domesticated by relevant laws on the same subject matter in Plateau state.
We have gone through the Plateau State Local Government Council Law and we have found out that there is no part or whole of the law donating such powers to the House of Assembly.
The powers of the House of Assembly may neither be used to encumber the smooth operations of the Local Councils nor request or recommend the Governor to suspend or remove any Local Government Chairman or Councillor.
The Plateau State House of Assembly is the maker of the Plateau State Local Government Council Law. To act in contempt and in utter disregard of the laws made by them is to devalue their functions.
They may be reminded of the admonition of D.V. Rangarajan that” the lawmaker should not be a lawbreaker. Indeed, the bias of Priene, a Greek philosopher, was right. When he said that “when he who makes the law breaks the law, he becomes not a lawmaker,”
The dispatch with which the Governor acted on the said unconstitutional request leaves no discerning mind in any jot of doubt that the request was procured.
Clearly, the Governor hid behind the finger of the said request to inflict this potential damage on our democratic order.
The resolution of the House upon which the Governor allegedly acted is said to be rooted in a petition by an unknown and unascertainable person alleging undisclosed financial improprieties or malfeasance against the 17 LGC Chairmen and members of the Legislative Councils of the 17 Local Government Councils. The petition was not served on any of us. This is nothing but a Machiavellian ambush to achieve a premeditated goal.
In the light of the foregoing:In any event, the power to remove the Chairmen for any gross misconduct does not reside with the House of Assembly or the Governor. The procedure for removing a Local Government Chairman is explicitly set out in Section 37 of the Local Government Council Law.
Just like the Governor, who cannot be suspended from office because he is the Chief Executive of the State, so it is with the Chairmen of Local Government Councils.
Before the purported suspension, the 17 Local Government Chairmen and the Legislative Councils had approached the court, invoking its interpretative jurisdiction to determine, among others, whether the Governor has the power to terminate, suspend, truncate, or disturb their tenure in the light of Section 7 of the Constitution, which states that “The system of Local Government by democratically elected Local Government Councils is under this Constitution guaranteed.
“Pursuant to the said suit, we filed a motion for interlocutory injunction seeking the Court’s Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the Governor, either by himself or his privies, from disturbing, disputing, terminating, suspending, or truncating the tenure of the Local Government Chairmen and the Legislative Council.
The said motion was served on the Governor on June 1, 2023, at 12:43 p.m.The manifest implication of the above is that, having had notice of the said motion, the Governor was under an obligation by law to await the decision of the court on the said Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
Instead, the Governor poked his hand into the Eye of the Law. He resorted to self-help. He treated the court process with disdain and went ahead to act in spite of it.
Since 1988, the Supreme Court in Saidu Garba v. Federal Civil Service Commission and ANOR has said that once parties submit their grievances to court, resorting to self-help is outlawed.
The court said:”The full implication of this country opting for a Rule of Law is that once parties have turned over their disputes to the courts, none of them, be they a government or an individual, should do anything in the nature of self-help that could frustrate the courts from performing their functions or render whatever judgement it may give nugatory.
Under our Constitution, we have opted for separation of powers among the three arms of Government:
the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. It is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution that any of the three arms should interfere with the other in the performance of its functions. If that is allowed to happen, it will lead to chaos, lawlessness, and the destruction of the Constitution.
We have no force of brute power, but we believe in the force of the law, and we believe that the force of the law will prevail. We will report this brazen affront to the law court, to which we had run for protection.
We have abiding faith in the Judiciary to invoke its disciplinary powers to overturn this unconstitutional behaviour. In the eyes of the law, we remain Chairmen and Councillors, respectively, until the court determines otherwise.
That democratically elected Local Government Council does not exist at the pleasure, whims, or caprice of either the Governor or the House of Assembly.
The Local Government is not a mere parastatal of the State. Section 7(1) of the Constitution guarantees the autonomy of Local Government Councils.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council lPAC Plateau state chapter has congratulates His Excellency Barr Caleb mutfwang and his Deputy Piyo on their assumption of office as the duly elected governor and Deputy of plateau state after the March, 2023 governorship and state assembly elections across the state.
The congratulary message is contained in a press statement dated 3rd June 2023 , signed by IPAC Chairman in the state ,Hon Dogara Abubarkar and made available to this medium in Jos.
The IPAC Chairman said the emergence of Governor Mutfwang as in keenly contested Election was a clear position of the majority of the citizens and the trust the plateau people have on his team.
He Adviced the governor to stick and abide by his inaugural speech and match it with an immediate action plan,email in the area of security, rural-uban migration, and inclusivity in the act of governance.
The body equally congratulates the parties that have won one position or the other in the state for in the 2023 elections and demands the parties to ensure that those elected under their respective platforms adhere to the manifestos of the party and other mutual agreements with the electorates and other relevant groups.
However,called on all the good citizens of the state to rally round support the new administration in the state and encourages healthy criticism from the citizens.
An election tribunal sitting in plateau state has adjourned the pre-hearing case of lbrahim Kanje Bawa of People Democratic against the deputy speaker of the 9th Assembly of the house of Representatives Ahmed Wase of the All Progressive Congress APC to 9th June 2023 for continuation of Pre-hearing .
As Lalong’s Pre-Hearing Election file challenging the Election of AVM Bali which concided with that of deputy speaker was stall as New application was raised.
As against this background, three Man Panel led by Justice Bello Muhammad fixed 9th June, 2023 for the continuation of Pre-hearing of Ibrahim Kanje Bawa and PDP’s petition against the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following successful conclusion of the prehearing. Parties expressed satisfaction with reports of pre-hearing as read out by the Court though with few observations.
Election Petitions are said to be status barred. Meaning they are time bound, hence the need for fast tracking every judicial process. For an election petition tribunal, a matter is expected to be heard and determined within 180 days from the date of filing. Conscious of this fact, panels urge parties to always ensure due diligence in prosecuting the their petitions in order to meet up the time frame.
Recall, at the last adjourned date, 30th May,2023, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Plateau State, sitting in Jos, adjourned the petition of the Plateau State immediate past Governor, Simon Bako Lalong to 2nd June, for trashing out all pending applications and to conclude prehearing. However, reconvening on Friday, 2nd June in Jos, counsel to parties informed the Tribunal of new processes that were served on them some of which served in the courtroom during the prehearing.
Notwithstanding the newly filed and served motions, counter affidavits and written addresses, Lalong’s Counsel, Professor Kayode Olatoke , SAN, insisted that the Court adhered to what parties had agreed to, at the last adjourned date by proceeding to resolve all applications and conclude the pre-hearing. Prof. Kayode, further suggested that the respondents’ Counsel could make verbal respond on points of law to the new processes.
Counsel to respondents, particularly that of the 2nd Responent, Mr. Arome Okwori vehemently objected, stressing that “Justice rushed is justice crushed.” The respondents’ counsel therefore, unanimously asked the Court to ignore the petitioners’ counsel and allow them to thoroughly go through the new processes served on them particularly that so many judicial authorities were cited therein and file their replies before the next adjourned date.
The matter was eventually adjourned to 9th June, 2023 for continuation of pre-hearing session.
Recall, the petitioners, Former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were defeated by the 2nd respondent, Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali (RTD) and the 3rd Respondent, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with more than 57,000 votes in the 25th February 2023 Election for the Plateau-South Senatorial District.
Relying on the notion that the PDP has no structure in Plateau State, Lalong and APC approached the Tribunal to wrest the mandate given to Napoleon and PDP by the people of the Plateau South.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the 1st respondent in the petition for declaring the 2nd Respondent, Napoleon Bali of the PDP, winner of the said Election and returning him elected.
From issues for determinations; applications to undermine requests by parties; time for examination in-chief; cross examination and reexamination of regular and star/expert witnesses; number of days for parties to present their case to time for court session among others were all read out for confirmation of parties.
Ibrahim Bawa, SAN and the PDP have 21 days to establish their case before the Tribunal while the respondents have 10 days each to put their defence.
Recall, Bawa and the PDP are challenging declaration of Ahmed Wase as winner of the 2023 Election for Wase Federal Constituency alleging that the Deputy Speaker, Wase was not the right winner of the said election as he did not win the majority of the lawful votes cast.
The Plateau Southern and Central Zones Unity Forum (PLASCUF), has fecilitated with His Excellency Governor, Caleb Manessah Mutfwang, as he took mantle of leadership of the State.
The Forum in a signed statement issued by its Chairman, Hon Panshak John Verengkat, said that Governor Mutfwang, was duly elected by majority of the electorates and has subsequently, occupied office are worthy of felicitations and prayers for him to deliver a just, fair and purposeful leadership.
“His Eexcellency Barr Caleb Mutfwang Manessah, sir your victory is a victory to all, and a weakup call to Serve Plateau state,” it said.
The PLASCUF, called on Governor Mutfwang, to discharge his duties without fear or favour and devoids of god fatherism, ill-fillings whatsoever, against his political opponents.
“Do not adhere to godfatherism as used to be, may God give you the wisdom to salvage the good people of Plateau State from poverty, hunger and insecurity,” it said.
The Forum further urged high profile politicians in the State, as well as, well meaning People of the State to support good policies and programme of the government, and to also remain prayerful for its to succeed.
The Plateau Southern and Central Zones Unity Forum (PLASCUF), has fecilitated with His Excellency Governor, Caleb Manessah Mutfwang, as he took mantle of leadership of the State.
The Forum in a signed statement issued by its Chairman, Hon Panshak John Verengkat, said that Governor Mutfwang, was duly elected by majority of the electorates and has subsequently, occupied office are worthy of felicitations and prayers for him to deliver a just, fair and purposeful leadership.
“His Eexcellency Barr Caleb Mutfwang Manessah, sir your victory is a victory to all, and a weakup call to Serve Plateau state,” it said.
The PLASCUF, called on Governor Mutfwang, to discharge his duties without fear or favour and devoids of god fatherism, ill-fillings whatsoever, against his political opponents.
“Do not adhere to godfatherism as used to be, may God give you the wisdom to salvage the good people of Plateau State from poverty, hunger and insecurity,” it said.
The Forum further urged high profile politicians in the State, as well as, well meaning People of the State to support good policies and programme of the government, and to also remain prayerful for its to succeed.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim has noted that, good training increases troops’ chances of survival on the battlefield. He made this know today 1 June 2023, while inaugurating Officers and Soldiers inducted for 9 weeks training on Basic Battle Drill at the 3 Division Small Arms Range Miango, Jos.
General Abdulsalami while sharing his battle experience in Sierra-Leone noted the significance of training in the live of a soldier. He emphasized that training hard guarantees less battle hazard and less casualties. He explained that the myriad of insecurity challenges in the country and the world at large was responsible for the constant training and retraining of troops to effectively perform their duties of securing the lives and property of the citizens.
He stressed that the training was organized by all Divisions in the NA to enhance the skills of participants towards effective and battle-focused tactics in eliminating the enemies of the state, noting that the training would enhance their tactical skills and effective employment of weapons both day and night to counter emerging security challenges.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Division Training Officer ( DTO) 3 Division NA, Brigadier General Suleiman Adamu noted that, the course curriculum was spelt out by the Army Headquarters Department of Training which he averred will cover the basic knowledge of battle drills required of a professional soldier to effectively eliminate adversaries.
He further noted that, participants will benefit from training packages from other paramilitary agencies to diversify their knowledge on Internal Security Operations.
Gen Adamu noted that the school was prepare to give the best of training to the students while expecting them to be focused, as any form of indiscipline would not be condoned.
The event featured tree planting campaign flagged off by the GOC/ Comd OPSH and senior officers to reduce the effect of wind storm on structures at the range accommodation area.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim has noted that, good training increases troops’ chances of survival on the battlefield. He made this know today 1 June 2023, while inaugurating Officers and Soldiers inducted for 9 weeks training on Basic Battle Drill at the 3 Division Small Arms Range Miango, Jos.
General Abdulsalami while sharing his battle experience in Sierra-Leone noted the significance of training in the live of a soldier. He emphasized that training hard guarantees less battle hazard and less casualties. He explained that the myriad of insecurity challenges in the country and the world at large was responsible for the constant training and retraining of troops to effectively perform their duties of securing the lives and property of the citizens.
He stressed that the training was organized by all Divisions in the NA to enhance the skills of participants towards effective and battle-focused tactics in eliminating the enemies of the state, noting that the training would enhance their tactical skills and effective employment of weapons both day and night to counter emerging security challenges.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Division Training Officer ( DTO) 3 Division NA, Brigadier General Suleiman Adamu noted that, the course curriculum was spelt out by the Army Headquarters Department of Training which he averred will cover the basic knowledge of battle drills required of a professional soldier to effectively eliminate adversaries.
He further noted that, participants will benefit from training packages from other paramilitary agencies to diversify their knowledge on Internal Security Operations.
Gen Adamu noted that the school was prepare to give the best of training to the students while expecting them to be focused, as any form of indiscipline would not be condoned.
The event featured tree planting campaign flagged off by the GOC/ Comd OPSH and senior officers to reduce the effect of wind storm on structures at the range accommodation area.
The National ,State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Jos presided over by three man panel chaired by Justice Bello Muhammad has adopted most of prehearing processes and adjourned sitting to 2nd Friday for continuation of Pre-hearing session .
The petitioner and the respondents have already adopted their respective processes to conclude the pre-hearing to pave way for the commencement of proper hearing into originating surmount .
The petitioners Barr.Ibrahim Kanje Bawa and People Democratic Party ,PDP , has dragged the respondents before the Tribunal for substantial non compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act in the conduct of the 2023 National Assembly Election for Wase Federal Constituency and the wrongful declaration and return of the first respondent as the winner of the said Election by the third respondent among other issues.
However ,in continuation of pre-hearing session, on Tuesday Counsel petitioners informed the Three-Man Panel .
However, Counsel to the First and Second petitioners, Ibrahim Kanje Bawa and the PDP, Sharafu Yusuf informed the Tribunal that the petitioners had two motions which were duly filed and served on all the respondents but sought to withdraw one of the motions which was filed on the 14th day of May 2023 and leave as well as adopt the one that was filed and served later which the Counsel, Yusuf said is accompanied by a four paragraph affidavit and a written address.
In the motion the petitioners/applicants sought leave of the Tribunal to adopt, are requests to the Court to strike out some paragraphs from the respondents’ replies, maintaining that the identified paragraphs did not border on election matters while the Court is meant to entertain only issues arising from the conduct of 2023 National Assembly elections no more no less.
Tribunal is neither for pre-election issues nor for issues revolving around inter-party squabbles.
Counsel to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris who is the First Respondent in the petition, Sunday Obende and that of the 3rd Responent, INEC did not object to the withdrawal of one of the petitioners’ applications and adoption of the other but counsel to the 2nd respondent, the APC vehemently objected by way of a counter affidavit and citing the practice direction of the honourable Tribunal.
However, the petitioners’ lead Counsel tackled the second respondent’s counsel by drawing attention of the Court to the fact that the Court came up with the said practice direction after they had filed their motions. The Court noted and asked whether there were other applications.
Having exhausted all applications in respect of the Petition, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Bello Muhammad adjourned the matter to Friday, the 2nd day of June, 2023 for reports of the prehearing.
Lead counsel to the petitioners, Sharafu Yusuf spoke to journalists after the session regarding what actually transpired before the Court but the lead counsel for the respondents, Mr. Obende declined comment.
Proper and accelerated hearing of the Petition is expected to commence after release of the prehearing reports considering the fact that election matters are time bound, sue-generis.
They are expected to be heard and determined within 180 days from the day of filing and so far more than 60 days have gone.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal also adjourned to 2nd day of June, 2023 the petition between the immediate past Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong of the APC and the Plateau-South Senator-Elect, Air Vice Marshall Napoleon Binkap Bali (RTD) of the PDP for trashing all applications to pave way for prehearing reports and commencement of proper hearing of the Petition.
The former Governor, Lalong approached the Tribunal after been roundly defeated by the 2nd and 3rd respondents, Napoleon Bali and the PDP with more than 57,000 votes, following a wrong or mistaken belief widely held by the APC stalwarts and supporters in Plateau State that the PDP does not have a legitimate structure and that all PDP victories in the State would be returned to them eventually.
To say that such myopic thinking is a blatant self deception is an understatement.
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