As various political parties continue with putting finishing touches on the 2023 Primaries, Plateau Elders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) have warned of any unguided political Activities that might distract the smooth democratic Process in Plateau State.
The message was contained in a press statement by the APC Elders representatives of the 17 LGAs in Plateau state and made available to the media in Jos on Wednesday.
READ:
A PRESS STATEMENT BY APC ELDERS REPRESENTATIVES OF 17 LGAS OF PLATEAU STATE ON SOME UNGUIDED POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY SOME PERSONS THAT MIGHT DISTRACT THE SMOOTH DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN PLATEAU STATE
In recent weeks it has come to our notice that a group of elders have been busy with certain activities clearly inimical to the smooth transition of the electoral process in the state.
It first started as a grumble by a purported group of aspirants whose idea of electioneering campaigns stopped at printing and pasting posters in our urban city and along highways with lofty slogans. While the real men and women were crises-crossing the state sharing ideas, appealing supporters and mobilizing to demographics, they enjoy mere appearances at events and the granting of fanciful press interview to to massage their sense of self-worth! When the point arrived to put world in action and buy the party’s relevant and compulsory notification and nomination forms, they failed. Unfortunately, they would not leave the field quietly. Rather than admit to their ineffective campaign methods or appeal to the people, they turned round to the common habit of pull him down syndrom
On the day the six of them, purporting to be 18, held the Press Conference, only one among them had bought the nomination form for the election! In fact, the Chairman who presided over the Press Conference promising to make all necessary sacrifices to defend the interest of Plateau State, apparently, couldn’t also bother to buy the nomination form though he obviously took luxury in the title of aspirant. In typical fashion of a teeny classroom, the group picked on Dr. Nentawe Yilwada Goshwe and alleged was the imposed candidate by government.
The Conference provided absolutely no evidence. This was in spite of the fact that not long before then His Excellency, Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Simon B. Lalong and the APC State Chairman, Chief Hon. Rufus Bature had on separate occasions addressed the aspirants assuring them that the government and party would remain neutral, but imploring them to collectively resolve on a consensus candidate in order to close the gap. What was ridiculous about this allegation was that the primaries were far ahead and at the time form for nomination was still on sale!
But why we find it necessary to call this Press Conference today is to give a word of caution against the distraction. Firstly, we noticed how this allegation was quickly latched on by a group calling itself the Equity and Justice Forum. Many of us are also members of this noble organization but we are not aware of when meetings have been called or held. It seems likely that only a couple of personages have met in their palours to share some views among themselves and these are what we see peddled in the news space.
So far they continue to peddle the false notion that imposition was responsible for the failure of the PDP in 2015! It was not. It was the refusal of the Government of that time to stay the course of rotating power within the zones. But they say if a man’s sole inheritance is a hammer, he see every problem in life as a nail. This is how the purported Equity and Justice Forum behaves right now. It is almost in a conspiracy to superimpose the 2015 imprint on the wonderful flourish of zoning today in Plateau State with allegation of imposition.
Furthermore, the general public must be warned that certain ways we are expected to conduct ourselves. At least we are supposed to act with maturity, patience, decorum and circumspection. Knowing that what camouflages as protest against imposition is nothing but politics, to what extent should we heed our rule to stay clear of political partisanship. In any case, if indeed APC in Plateau State is having such an issue, it is the role we envisage for the elders council to mediate and reconcile and resolve the crisis, or to demonstrate, beat the war drums and the soapbox to spread acrimony. If we really respect our grey hairs why are we imitating the methods “comrades” our superactive young ones? For them their excuse is that they are youthful, what is our own?
Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, We the representatives of the elders from all the 17 Local Government Areas are gathered here to caution ourselves against actions that can derail this process that has been smooth so far.
For avoidance of doubt, we are opposed to imposition in all elections. It is our desire that the best leadership materials will eventually emerge as leaders in our state. However, is should not be at the expense of any individual.
We wish to commend the Government of Plateau State under Governor SImon Lalong for the credible democratic process so far. Every player has been given a even playing field, in a free and fair environment. No democratic institution of electoral processes has been tampered with in spite of the lies of imposition. We should therefore continue to give support to Governor Lalong and his government to continue to pilot the affairs of the state and people. We should also continue to support the Plateau State APC Chairman, Chief Rufus Bature and his EXCO always as the INEC and its officials in the months ahead so that we shall have a smooth electoral victory.