Nicholas Vongsing expressed happiness for the peacefully conducted PLHA Re-run election

All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Plateau State House of Assembly by-election. The poll was held in Langtang South State Constituency sequel to a Federal High Court judgement which invalidated the victory of Vincent Bulus, the PDP candidate in the April 14, 2015 elections after it was proved that he was an ex-convict. 

The candidate of the APC Jackson Nimmwang won the seat with 3,688 votes, with Rinsmicit Emmanuel of the Mega Progressives Peoples Party (MPPP) coming second with only 83 votes. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Returning Officer, Prof. Tor Iorapuu, while declaring APC winner in the election said that the turn out at the election was very low as only 13 per cent of the 48,615 registered voters participated in the election held in 68 polling units. 

Iorapuu, however, described the election as “very free and fair’’.  He said only 6,571 of the 6,631 accredited voters voted during the election. A total of 400 trained ad-hoc staff, drawn from NYSC and tertiary institutions, conducted the election, supervised by the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Jacob Jatau.

Commenting on the outcome, Mr Nicholas Vongsing, Management Chairman, Lantang South Local Government, expressed happiness that the election went on peacefully and devoid of any rancour in the council.

Hon. George Daika expressed concerned over the flagrant abuse of power by the APC

Former Member of House of Representative, from Mikang, Shendam and Quanpan Federal constituency in Plateau state, Hon. George Daika expressed concerned over the flagrant abuse of power by the APC led government.

Speaking to Journalist immediately after a stakeholders meeting in Jos which held on Friday 10 2017 at the party start secretariat. Hon. George Daika said, “Well, regarding the meeting, it is a usual routine that has to do with the caucus in the sake of the party and other committees. Successfully we were able to adopt and endorse unanimously, His Excellency Sir Fidelis Tapgun as the chairman of the elder’s forum, with Barr. Justina Vrengle as his secretary.

 Daika said, “We did it unanimously based on the understanding and qualities we have seen in them and the need for them to further strengthen the party. On the issue of INEC, well, the injunction is being given by the court. I didn’t go there but I was told that the judge addressed both parties and told INEC clearly that they shouldn’t conduct the Re-Run election and if they do, then I will see the recklessness in INEC, which means they don’t seem to obey the rule of law, and it is something that is very common with the present administration of people who came with change agenda but don’t seem to adhere to any other norms and values guiding our nation, which is quite sad.

He said “I heard that the governor [Simon Lalong], during a campaign in Langtang South,  Mabudi, directed INEC to go ahead and conduct election or else he will declare an APC candidate a winner, which sounds so funny, myopic and childish and I don’t expect that from a leader. I want to at this point call on the entire PDP members, our teeming supporters and well wishers to be calm and law abiding, whatever happens, even to the contrary they should not react and should remain peaceful. I also call on the security agencies to be mindful of constitutional provisions and the legal backing”.

speaking on what the people of Plateau State should expect from the PDP being the opposition. Hon. Daika said, “First and Foremost, the people of Plateau State and other Nigerians are yearning, by calling on PDP to come back to power because they are really tired and they are in abject poverty. This present administration has further impoverished people that they find it difficult to get food to eat, even a square meal a day and death toll rises all over, and also unemployment rate is very high.

He Said “Government is meant to serve the people, to provide people with all the necessary facilities and amenities such as infrastructures. So people are really tired and are just praying for 2019, which to me might be too far but too close because it is up to the people to decide by ballot, either they still prefer PDP or APC, but am sure with the unity of purpose with what is happening in PDP today, we are making a very good impact on the lives of the people and we are making progress which at the end of the day PDP might emerge victorious

Commenting on the preparedness of PDP towards the forth coming local government election, he said “We are waiting for the PLASIEC to set up the time table; if the PLASIEC is ready then we will start mobilization.  I can see clearly that Plateau people have had enough from APC, and by God’s grace, with the good work PDP will still emerge winner of the coming LG election.

PDP accuses INEC of disregarding court order, as Sir Fidelis Tapgun, emerged Chairman of the elder’s forum

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State chapter, has decried what it describes as flagrant abuse of power by the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), by encouraging Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct an election that is pending before a court of law.

 A chieftain of the state chapter of the party and member elders’ forum, Prof. Dakum Shown, who spoke to journalists on Friday during the election of executives for the party’s elder’s forum, said that there will be no democracy in the country if rule of law was not obeyed.

Prof. Shown expressed dismay that a government that was supposed to be responsible for law and order in the state was encouraging abuse of the rule of law.

 He accused Governor Simon Lalong of being undemocratic and quoting the governor saying: “away with the court’s decision”, regarding the controversial elections embroiled in court case.

 On enquiry by BC NEWS, concerning the botched House of Representatives elections in Langtang South, a Deputy Director in charge of publicity, PLASIEC, Osaretin Imahiyereobo, said there was no court injunction, and as such the elections will go on.

 Mr Imahiyereobo said the presiding judge, Justice D.V Agishi made only verbal comments which was not binding on their decision to carry on with the elections; he said besides, since the court adjoined the motion for hearing to 16^th of February, 2017, there was no way, a stay of action would be effective.

 A reliable source wishing to remain anonymous claimed that the ruling party was banking on the delayed process of court proceedings: after elections have been conducted and won by APC, they occupy the contested office, of Langtang South constituency, before the next national primaries comes up again, then there will not be any case to answer to, the source said.

The PDP state chapter Publicity Secretary, Hon. John Akans, said the party would oppose any outcome of the elections scheduled today by INEC, in Langtang South.

He said: “Once a matter is before the court of law all actions most stay. Especially when there is an application for injunction, parties must restrain themselves for taking any action that is inimical to the unfinished proceedings.

 The Publicity Secretary further said all relevant security agencies including INEC have been served with the court order, and none should claim ignorance.

 Earlier, the PDP state party chairman, Damishi Sango presided over the elders committee executive election; Sir Fidelis Tapgun, emerged as the Chairman of the PDP state party elders forum, while a former top management staff of PRTV, Barr. Justina Vrengle was elected Secretary of the forum.

Federal High Court Jos Stops Re-Run Election into Langtang South Seat of PLHA for Saturday

A Federal high Court siting in Jos has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, , from conducting re-run election in Langtang south for  the state House of Assembly seat on Saturday.

In a suit No :FHC/J/M/16/2017  motion, the judge charged counsel to Independent National Electoral commission  (INEC) to ensure that no election takes place on Saturday, until the determination of matter brought by PDP challenging them.

Justice Dorcas Agishi while delivering her ruling on the application brought by the People Democratic Party, PDP, warned INEC not to go ahead with the conduct of the election on Saturday which she said will be amounting to contempt of court order.

According to her, the court adjourned to 16th of February, 2017 for continuation of hearing and to enable the two counsels harmonize their differences as the PDP counsel will proceed with their response according law.

The appellant counsel, F. O Shaibu applauded the court for the ruling that the judiciary is working

He has earlier filled an application for the stay of execution seeking the court ‘ order of injunction restraining the respondent from conducting rerun election into the seat of member representing Langtang south constituency in the plateau state House of Assembly pending the determination of the appellant to the court of appeal ‘.

The grounds of the application motion of injunction to stop INEC from conducting election in Langtang south seat, the appellant dissatisfied by the decision of the court has appealed to the court of appeal.

Shaibu told the court that if the respondent is not restrained from conducting the election and it goes ahead to do, the appeal of the appellant shall be rendered nugatory.

He said, appeal is the conduct of election with the appellant participating, but if the election is concluded without it and it succeeds on appeal, the success will be empty and money can’t compensate it.

The counsel, Barr Shaibu argues that section 6,6 order 26 rule 2(1) 32 rules of this honourable court, has he entered appearance for,  the Judge warned INEC with contempt of court order if it didn’t stop bye-election in Langtang south.

“If you go ahead you know what the court is capable doing, Court the affidavits was supported with 10 paragraphs and the notice of appeal is hereto annexed as Exhibit, “PDP 1 he said

“You would recalled that the election of Hon Vincent Venman Bulus was quashed over criminal involvement and money laundering by EFCC Two years ago”, he explained.

Hon Bulus was accused defrauding the daughter of the former daughter of Sen Jonah David Jang which affected the primary of PDP in Langtang south member of PLHA.

Governor Lalong Loses Appeal Against Sacked 271 Councillors

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has lost an appeal filed against 271 elected Councillors he sacked in July 2015, before the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos.

It would be recalled that the sacked Councillors, through their Counsel, Gyang Zi, had taken Governor Lalong, the State Attorney General and the State House of Assembly to Court for their removal from office.

They described their removal as “illegal and unconstitutional’’.

The case against the trio was filed before Justice David Mann of the State High ourt III.

But the Governor challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and its decision to take the Councillors’ preliminary objection along with the substantive case.

However, Lalong failed in the suit and quickly appealed against the ruling.

The appellants, through their Counsel, Victor Paul, had prayed the appellate Court to set aside the decision of the lower court.

Paul also sought an order that the preliminary objection of his clients should be heard first before the substantive suit.

But the appellate court, presided by Justices, A.G. Mshelia (lead Judge), A.H. Abiru and E.O. Williams, faulted the objection of the decision of the lower court by Lalong and others.

While upholding the decision of the lower court, the appellate court said “there is no problem with the lower court hearing both the substantive and the preliminary objection at the same time’’.

The judges said the appeal lacked merit and as such, dismissed it forthwith.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgment, Counsel to the Councillors, Gyang Zi said the decision was, “very satisfactory’’ as it has gone to show that there was hope for the common man.

Zi said, “We are happy that the appellate court saw reasons with the decision of the lower court and upheld it by dismissing the appeal of Governor Lalong”.

He maintained that his clients would go back to the High Court to continue in pursuance of their rights, having been wrongfully sacked by the state government.

Plateau State Government uncovered 579 ghost workers and 101 persons to refund over N76 millions naira

Plateau State Government has uncovered 579 ghost workers and 101 persons to refund N76, 763,551.15  to the State government for staying in service beyond their terminal dates including fake employment letter.

The state commissioner for information and communication, Alh Muhammadu Nazif gave this disclosure during a press Conference at the Joseph Secretariat, Jos.

 

The government scooped the money through the ongoing BVN matching service for state employees and pensioners was carried out at the end of the exercise, 579 were taken off the salary payroll for various reasons, he explains.

Hon Nazif 68,554.694.27 monthly for the state government there had been improper documentation and some of them were employed with underage reading 2003 to 2017 which enjoy double promotion in less than ten, 10, years as senior officer.

According to him, the state government under its skills development program, the ministry trained nineteen people in knitting, sewing, cosmetology, catering and bead making at the end of which they received some support for takeoff. Adding, the state collaboration with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation trains 100 women and youth on catering, fabric, dyeing, poultry and cosmetic.

Nazif added a partnership was also entered into with the industrial Training Fund, ITF, to train 60 women, youths in garment making and catering in the state.

He noted that the ministry in collaboration with the plateau Aids Control Agency assisted by the World Bank enrolled  50 persons living with HIV, Aids, orphans and vulnerable children and care givers for training in the following as a form of empowerment tailoring  knitting, shoe making, catering, hair dressing and computer applications.

Furthermore ,the ministry developed the state specific priority actions across sector relevant to child protection following which the final documents was launched by the state governor in September 2016.

collaboration with State Governments Over Condemned Convicts

The Controller of Prisons Plateau State Command, Ailewon Noel open rooms for collaboration with state Governments over Condemned Convicts within His Command.

Speaking on behalf of the controller of Prisons, the state command public Relation officer, Assistant Superintendent of Prison, Asp, Luka Ayedoo at the state headquarters on Monday in Jos, said the comptroller is calling for partnership with the private sector, NGO and the states governors within her jurisdiction over condemned Convicts.

The Controller stressed that safe custody, reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates in order to ensure a crime free society is the cardinal objectives of the Nigerian prisons service.

He explained that Jos Prison Houses Condemned Convicts from the North-East and North Central which informs the current swelling in the number of condemned prisoners in the Command.

He opined  that the Nigerian Prisons Like any other Security Organization in the  country is bedeviled by challenges ranging from the stigmatization of discharged inmates, prolonged neglect by the society  and over stretched facilities.

Noel reiterated that custodial education has been one of the major instrument utilized by the NPS to reduce the rate of crime in the state.

The NPS has employed all the strategies and policies into her custodian education program for the de-radicalization of inmates. The program includes tertiary education, secondary education, adult literacy, vocational and skills acquisition programs.

He disclosed that these are programs are employed by the department to ensure productiveness of the inmate who return back to the society nationwide.