Plateau Creatives declare support for APC governorship candidate, describes PMAN’s endorsement of PDP fallacious

Members of the Creative industry under the Generation Next Movement in Plateau State have watered down the recent endorsement of the PDP Gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang by the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Plateau state chapter.

The group described the endorsement as “an endorsement from a Kangaroo Group which they alleged is “fallacious, misleading, and a lie from the pit of hell”.

This was disclosed in a rejoinder statement signed by Adu Deme, the Chairman, of Creative Directorate Generation Next, and Makut A. Mashat (Seemo Da Black Czar) P.R.O in response to a press conference by the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) on the 7th of March.

The group went further to declare Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as their Preferred Gubernatorial candidate.

The press release reads that the attention of members of the Creative industry on the Plateau that cut across the membership of PMAN, Nollywood, Thespians, Comedians, Poets Dancers, and Creatives under the Generation Next movement has been drawn to a misleading and fictitious press statement by a kangaroo group of comrades parading as PMAN executives claiming the endorsement of the PDP Governorship candidate in Plateau state, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.

The group is headed by Humphrey Iroegbu (color) who has been a caretaker Chairman since Sachmicit Solomon (Saksolo handed the association over to him to conduct elections) and his click of handpicked executives of the union pledged their unalloyed support to Barr Caleb Mutfwang while addressing the media in a press conference at the PMAN Secretariat, Tafawa Belewa, Jos Plateau State on the 7th of March,2023.

In the charade of a press conference, Comrade Humphrey uttered a White lie by telling gentlemen of the Press on camera that has met with all the Governorship candidates of the various political parties, the decision of the union to endorse the PDP candidate was reached and is based on the fact that amongst all the candidates Hon. Caleb Mutfwang is the only candidate that is passionate about the industry in the State, this is only a delusional figment of the imagination of Mr. Color who has changed the color and ideals of PMAN as a non -partisan union to a Student Union Group going about seeking for a brown envelope from politicians for audio endorsements in the name of the association.

Humphrey was quoted as saying;
“In light of the above the Union wishes to inform all its members that after thorough consultation with all entertainment stakeholders on the Plateau, PMAN National body, and its legal advisers it has officially endorsed the PDP Gubernatorial candidate in the person of Hon. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.”

This is fallacious, misleading, and a lie from the pit of hell as no key stakeholders were consulted on the Plateau before the charade of a Press conference of 5 Comrades parading as executives of PMAN was orchestrated for political capital.

For the records, The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association Of Nigeria and abbreviated as (PMAN) is an organization founded by Christy Essien-Igbokwe and Sunny Okosun in 1984 to guide, protect and promote the interests of Musicians in Nigeria, Authorized by the government of Nigeria under the Trade Unions Act, the organization also has the responsibility to regulate the practice of music profession in the country.

PMAN is a union like the National Union of Journalists that does not engage in partisan politics as a professional body, members can support political parties but PMAN as a union is non-partisan and cannot be seen endorsing a particular political party or a candidate whatsoever.

As of the 1st of August 2022, the president of PMAN is Pretty Okafor, the 1st Vice President is Sunny Neji, and 2nd Vice Zaaky Azay; National Treasurer is Asha Gangali; Ruggedman is Chairman Media while Ital Bonnie Aka Boniface Itodo is the General Secretary.

We want to use this opportunity to call on the National Leadership of PMAN to call Color and his comrades to order not to ridicule the integrity of the association in the eyes of the general public.

Subsection 3 (iv) of the PMAN Constitution states that the main objective of the association is;

To support members bearing in mind their area of musical interest and their geographical area of operation.

To engage in and organize the training and education of members generally and set up an institution to facilitate such training and education in Nigeria.

To eradicate or reduce the infringement of copyright throughout Nigeria by promoting the legalization and enforcement of relevant laws.

To protect members of the Association from persons) whose character and circumstance render them unworthy of practice and participation in the music industry.

To protect the creative and performing rights of all member musicians in Nigeria.

To enter into Agreements with Phonograph Producers, Record label Owners, manufacturers of Phonograph records and music cassettes, Broadcasting Organizations, Hotels, Night Clubs, Concert Halls, Cinema Houses, and other venues where music is used for public entertainment, for the payment of Royalties to members through the Association, as PMAN deems fit. This rule relieves anybody or group from the responsibility and places it entirely on PMAN henceforth.

To take such action as may be necessary and desirable for avoiding industrial disputes.

To give members all possible assistance that is considered proper and desirable in the opinion of the Members of the Association.

In light of the above, we as creatives want to state that no candidate has shown passion, commitment, and dedication to the plight of the creative industry like Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe as captured in his ACEES AGENDA.

“Plateau is the pivot of creativity and we will invest and develop the creative sector” ~ Prof NENTAWE

The Generation Next Movement called on Humphrey Iroegbo to make arrangements for the election of capable individuals into various positions of the association.

We want to unequivocally state that we are calling on Humphrey Iroegbo (a.k.a Color) to stop parading himself as PMAN Governor of Plateau State with his co-travelers, he should with immediate effect set up modalities for elections into various positions of the noble association as it is not a tea and bread union and a conduit pipe for milking politicians in the name of endorsements.