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2023: APC governorship candidate, Dr Nentawe vows to end tribalism, unite Plateau people
Plateau State Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Nentawe Yilwatda has pledged to end tribalism and unite all Plateau tribes for the development of the state if elected Governor come 2023.
Yilwatda disclosed this on Thursday while presenting his running mate, Hon. Pam Bot-Mang to the Jos South traditional rulers, held at the palace of Dagwom Rwey of Jos South, Da. Ngah Dangyang.
“I want to be a Governor of Plateau State not a Governor of my tribe, from 1991 to date what has divided Plateau State is tribalism and if elected Governor we will end tribalism, our focus will be Plateau State only, and we will redeem our image as United People”
According to him, he will run a free, fair and all-inclusive government, where Plateau youths will be engaged, and empowered to become economically self-reliant if given the mandate.
He explained that Pam Bot-Mang was not picked as the running mate because he is Berom from Jos South but because of his track record of integrity, self-reliance and humility to add electoral value to the ticket.
Yilwatda added that his relationship with Bot-Mang started during his secondary school days about 40 years ago when he served him as a schoolboy diligently for four years without revolting.
He praised the Berom nation for grooming and raising credible children with the fair of God and noted that he was also raised by a Berom man who moulded and impacted him positively to overcome societal challenges.
“We will engage, empower and employ Plateau youths and dedicate 10 per cent of our resources to the youths to enable them to become economically self-reliant.
“We will be transparent, free, fair and run an all-inclusive government while the youths will be mentored and appointed as commissioners and other positions.”
He acknowledged the insecurity, kidnapping and another form of criminality that is ravaging the state and said stringent measures would be taken to address the menace to secure the people.
The Dagwom Rwey of Jos South, Da. Ngah Dangyang who received Pam Bot-Mang praised his styling leadership quality and said history is about to repeat itself where he is preparing to fill the vacuum of his late father, who was a Deputy Governor to former Governor Joshua Dariye.
He urged them to work together as partners in progress by complementing each other and prayed for their success during the election.
The Deputy Governorship Candidate, Pam Bot-Mang who spoke earlier, appreciated the Berom nation for supporting him and said he will not disappoint the Berom nation and the people of Plateau State entrusted with the mandate.
He described the visit as significant and said the APC place a high premium on Jos South Local Government Area where they are trusted with the Deputy Governorship ticket, Plateau North Senatorial ticket and the House of Representatives ticket.
Bot-Mang solicited the support of the people and assured them that if elected, they will right the wrongs made in the past for the prosperity of the people.
Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area and House of Representatives candidate for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Hon. Gideon Davou said the Berom nation is blessed with the State party chairmanship position, Deputy Governorship candidate and a Senatorial candidate, and urged the people to support the APC during the general election.
The team also visited the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO), Berom Women Development Association (BWDA) and the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) and canvassed support ahead of the 2023 election.
The BECO President, Da. Gyang Dudu said the Berom people are accommodated and hospitable, and urged them to manage the ethnic and religious diversity.
He urged Yilwatda to work assiduously to give Plateau State its identity of peace, and unity and wish him well during the election.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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