In the political permutation of who should steer the ship of Mikang Local Government as its elected Chairman inline with Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) announced timetable scheduled to take place on the 9th October, 2024, it is not unexpected that politicians would try to outsmart each other on the political field of play including the use of hand to score cheap political goal and attempt to shift the goalpost halfway into the game.
While the above has sadly, characterized our democracy, it is however alarming and misleading that the harmonious political atmosphere of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Mikang has been stirred by assertions made in a particularly contentious publication titled “Crisis brews in Mikang PDP ahead Plateau LG Polls: A call for justice in Mikang” by a non existent group called “Tehl PDP Vanguard”
Ordinarily, we would have dismissed the disingenuous, halftruth and deliberately fact-distorted publication with the wave of the hand, however, it is an open secret that “a lie told several times without it being corrected is suddenly accepted as the truth”.
It is therefore neceassry to address the falsities and counter the misrepresentative narrative presented in the aforementioned article.
This is to educate and instill confidence in our teeming supporters, respected party leaders and the electorates whom the mischievious publication seek to misinform.
It is imperative to set the records straight as it emphasises the necessity for accurate information dissemination, especially as the electorate prepare for the local government elections
The Misleading Publication:
The article in question has painted a grim picture of internal discord and an impending crisis within the ranks of the Mikang Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that certain district is being unjustly marginalised.
It suggests that if this issue is not addressed promptly and justly, it could detrimentally affect the PDP’s performance in the upcoming local government polls. While such publications can significantly influence public opinion, it is imperative to scrutinise their veracity to maintain an informed voter base and a healthy political environment.
In particular, the group alleged that “there has been a subtle albeit deliberate attempt to alienate a certain district for reasons best known to those who are taking undue advantage of their proximity to the governor.”
The group added that “One would have thought that steps will be taken to correct this injustice but we were shocked when we reliably gathered from the grapevines that these same persons that are close to the Governor are already plotting to zone the chairmanship position to Piapung district which already has a member of the state house of assembly. Haba!!! where is the justice? where is the reward for our 52 percent votes in the last election ? Why are those with the least vote getting more rewards than those who gave out their all to the Party PDP?”
Facts, they say, speak for themselves hence the need to present them unedited without necessarily joining words with the group to expose the deliberate falsehood and provide a clear and unbiased overview of the spread of political offices by district, relying on credible sources and official records.
By scrutinizing the historical data, the group would be educated for free and cured from their ignorance which has beclouded their sense of objectivity and brotherhood. We hope to also promote a more informed discussion and equally affirm that decisions are made based on facts rather than assumptions.
Incontestable Facts and Figures for the 25 Years of Uninterrupted Democracy 1999 to Date:
Let us begin with an examination of the data from Montol District, followed by an analysis of the other districts in our LGA.”
- MONTOL DISTRICT:
LG Council Chairmanship; - Hon. Yakubu Datti – Council Chairman 1999- 2003 (3 years)
- Hon. Dennis Mankum 2003 – Council Chairman (3months)
- Hon.Isa kongwai – Council Chairman 2012-2013 (2years)
- Hon.Ezekiel Vuelgap – Council Chairman 2015- 2021(6 years, uninterrupted)
Total: 11years 3 months rule of Montol as LG Council Chairmanship.
Under the Current Administration of the TIME IS NOW Mantra.
Here are the state appointments from MONTOL district;
- Hon. DioLamul – Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development
- Hon. Precious Nyantel, SSA media to the Governor. 3. Hon. Peter Tongshep – Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on media
- Nungkat Eukuk – MIKANG TIC Secretary. GARKAWA DISTRICT :
LG Council Chairmanship; - Hon. Innocent Tirsel 2009-2010 (1year 6months)
- Hon. Mrs Magdalene Bagudu (5months)
- Hon. Austine Bako 2021-2023 (1year 6 months)
Total: 3years 6 Months rule of Garkawa District as LG Council Chairmanship.
Current Appointments
- Hon.Moses Sule Liaison officer and Immediate Past Speaker, PSHOA
- Hon. Mrs Vera Mamsing – TIC Deputy Chairman
- David Bapman – (SSA media to the Governor)
- Nankin Dafoum – (SSA media) PIAPUNG DISTRICT:
LG Council Chairmanship; - Hon. Felix Penswang – 2003 to 2007 (Caretaker 3months, elected 3yrs)
- Hon. Alfred Koplang – 2007 (6months)
- Hon. Kelvin Yusuf – 2008 (5 months)
- Hon. Boniface Gwotbit – 2021 (7months)
Total: 4 years 9 Months rule of Piapung District as LG Council Chairmanship.
Current Appointments
- Hon. George Daika – (SA on National Assembly matters)
2.Longmam Penswang, Member PLASIEC KOENOEM DISTRICT:
LG Council Chairmanship; - Hon. Daniel Kungmi -2010 – 2011 (1year 6months)
- Hon. Daniel Kungmi – 2014 – 2015 (1year 2months)
- Hon. Daniel Kungmi – 2023 – date (1 year 3 months)
Total: 3 years 11 Months rule of Koenoem District as LG Council Chairmanship.
Current appointments;
- Hon.Caroline Dafur (Commissioner for Women Affairs) Summary of Statistics:
Total years of Council Chairmanship held by each district: - MONTOL: 11yrs 3months
- PIAPUNG: 4yrs 9months
- GARKAWA: 3yrs 6months
- KOENOEM: 3yrs 11months
- Total number of Current Appointment
MONTOL: 4
GARKAWA: 4
PIAPUNG: 2
KOENOEM: 1
Facts and figures, they say are stubborn because they put to bed any falsehood and misrepresentation.
The public is humbly invited to judge that amongst the four districts of Mikang Local Government, is Montol District truly marginalized as deliberately publicized by Tehl PDP Vanguard?
Let the public also compare Past Commissioners appointments by districts as shown below to objectively judge for themselves whether Montol is marginalized as purposely misrepresented to attrack sympathy:
Montol District;
a. 4 Commissioners; Hon. Yakubu Datti (Appointed 3 times), Hon. Naanniep Pyenwai (Nigeria), Hon. Dungsak Putgah, Hon. Tuma Dalok.
Garkawa District;
b. 3 Commissioners: Hon. Nankin Bagudu, Hon. Prof. Paul Wai, Hon. Patrick Mamgin
Piapung District;
a. Zero Commissioner
Koenoem District;
a. 1.Commissioner: Joseph Mariga.
Again we ask, is Montol District truly marginalized?
Examination of Facts and Fallacies:
A thorough analysis of the political realities of Mikang as presented above has distinguished between fact and fiction, and illuminated several mistruths embedded in the laughable article. And this incontestably puts to rest whether or not Montol District is marginalized.
Instead, it is Koenoem District that is marginalized. However, for fairness, equity and inclusivity that our great party the PDP is known for, the Chairmanship of Mikang based on the agreed stakeholders zoning, unanimously at the LGA stakeholders meeting held in the LGA Secretariat where all stakeholders from every district were all present unanimously ceded the Chairmanship seat for 2024 to PIAPUNG.
This is done in good faith to preserve the integrity of the party and sustain the unity of the Local Government and it’s people.
We wish to further place on records that against the falsehood peddled in the article, discussion with the party officials and a review of internal communications reveal that rather than facing a crisis, the party is actually in the midst of a reconciliation and consolidation process, aimed at strengthening its unity ahead of the elections.
Contrary to the claims of disenfranchisement and factional marginalisation, it is verifiable through the statistics presented that inclusive and transparent candidate selection mechanisms have been implemented through the zoning formula. This measure is explicitly designed to cater to the diverse interests within the Local Government and ensure fair representation of all members regardless of factional alignments.
To further invalidate the allegations of injustice, it is necessary to comprehend the broader political dynamics at play in Mikang. Historically, the PDP in Mikang has been a melting pot of various interest groups, each with its stake in the political affairs of the Local Government.
Rather than exasperating tensions, the party leadership has been actively engaged in balancing these interests, as reflected in the harmonious resolutions achieved at recent stakeholders meeting which came up with the following zoning arrangements:
a. Chairmanship Seat: PIAPUNG
b. HOA 2027: Garkawa
In light of the misleading information, one thing is pertinent, the spread of false claims and unfounded suspicions can only detract from the genuine issues facing the constituents of Mikang and the goals they wish to achieve through their electing a credible candidate.
The myopic supposedly voter strength presented only goes further to expose in public the writers’ ignorance. For the records, the votes from MONTOL includes 30% voters strength from the Tarok and Tahl settlers, in addition to Votes from the tribes of the other 3 districts resident at the LG headquarters.
If other districts, wards and local governments were to be given prominence in politics based on number of votes cast, will Mikang get any appointment from the state considering the fact that the whole local government votes cast does not equate to some wards in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa, Qua’anpan and Mangu LGAs to mention but a few.
In conclusion, the erroneous publication titled “Crisis brews in Mikang PDP ahead Plateau LG Polls: A call for justice in Mikang” only reveals a falsehood – an act that must be relentlessly challenged by truth, facts and figures to safeguard the unity of our dear local government.
It is also imperative to stress our research team is embarking on a research to show the impact of the performances of each district in terms of projects executed, and spread in each of the districts to clearly shows which district is in fact, more development oriented.
This is what we must emphasize as we move our Local Government forward.
MIKANG INTEGRITY GROUP.
