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Tag: Plateau

  • No-work-no-pay: Plateau Govt. reverses policy, redeems workers’ salary

    No-work-no-pay: Plateau Govt. reverses policy, redeems workers’ salary

    The Plateau Government on Tuesday commenced payment of workers in 17 councils of the state who suffered the no-work-no-pay policy of former Governor, Jonah Jang.

    Jang had  in 2014, refused to pay workers four months’ salaries when they went on strike in protest over non-implementation of payment of their minimum wage during the period.

    Mr Paul Seku, Chairman, Plateau Central Zone Committee on Payment of No-work-no-pay for Local Government Staff, disclosed this during the committee’s visit to the Chairman of Pankshin Local Government.

    “We are in this council today to commence the payment of the No-work-no-pay to all the local government staff of this council and the remaining four local governments within the Plateau Central Zone including, Mangu, Bokkos, Kanke and Kanam.

    “This is in fulfillment of the promise made to the staff by our loving Governor Simon Lalong, when he asked the workers to withdraw the court case in Abuja for amicable settlement.

    “We are starting with Pankshin Local Government, and thereafter, move to other local governments where we hope to complete payment within this week, ’’  Sheku pledged.

    Sheku, who is also the Director General, Plateau Debt Management Committee, explained that the verification would give the committee the opportunity to pay one month out of the four months owed the workers in cash.

    According to him, “after this payment, the remaining three months salaries will be paid to them through their accounts in their various banks’’.

    Responding, Mrs Naomi Golmwen, Chairman, Pankshin Local Government, expressed happiness over the magnanimity of  Gov. Lalong and described it as a welcome development.

    She expressed the hope and belief that the payment of the fund would go a long way to mobilise the people of Pankshin to retain the governor in 2019.

    “This is a long awaited goodwill of the governor that has become a reality today; our community depends largely on salary, and I believe the payment will touch many homes and build their confidence on the government.

    “To us as politicians and leaders, it will build a strong support for us to go all and mobilise the people for their cooperation and support for this administration both now and come 2019, when we shall seek their mandate, ’’ she said.

    Golmwen assured the committee of the orderliness of the council’s staff and advised the cashiers to cooperate with the committee for successful verification and payment.

    The Council NULGE Chairman, Mr Pankyes Benwuk, described the exercise as a “dream come true’’ and commended Lalong for keeping to his promise.

    “We hope that the four months being owed us will be completely settled before the end of this year as early pledged by the government, ’’ Benwuk said.

  • Plateau LG Polls: APC begins screening of aspirants

    Plateau LG Polls: APC begins screening of aspirants

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Plateau chapter, has commenced the screening of aspirants for chairmanship and councillorship positions on the forthcoming Local Government Areas (LGAs) polls in the state.

    The party’s state secretary, Mr Bashir Musa, who disclosed this to newsmen in Jos, noted that the exercise would be held separately at designated points in the three senatorial districts on Tuesday.

    Musa explained that the three-day exercise would end on Thursday, Nov. 9.

    “Because of the importance of this screening, we have decided to decentralise the manner and process with which it is done.

    “Aspirants from the southern zone will be screened at the party’s zonal office in Shendam, the one for central zone will hold in our party’s office in Pankshin.

    “The screening for northern zone will hold at the party’s state secretariat in Jos,” he explained.

    Musa advised all aspirants to unfailingly appear before the screening committees with their credentials.

    A statement recently released by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Chairman, Mr Fabian Ntung said the election will hold on Feb. 17, 2018, while a run-off and/or re-run, if any, will hold on Feb. 24, 2018.

    Read Also: Olusola’s adoption can’t threaten APC, says Awe

  • Aisha Buhari tasks women on participation in active politics

    Aisha Buhari tasks women on participation in active politics

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Wednesday stressed the need for more women to show interest and participate in partisan politics.

    Buhari made this assertion at a 2-day Nigeria Women Political Stakeholders Summit in Abuja with the theme: “Increasing the Participation of Women in  Governance process in Nigeria,” organised by the National Council of Women Societies ( NCWS ).

    The wife of the president noted that the decline in participation of women in governance has led to poor national development in the country.

    According to her, in spite of the good intention of this administration to actively engage women in governance, there has been an alarming decline of women participation.

    Mrs Buhari, who was re‎presented by the former deputy governor of Plateau State, Dame Tallen, lamented the alarming decline in the statistics of women participation in governance, saying it would not augur well for national development.

    “Since 1999 there has been an alarming decline in the statistics of women in governance, something has gone terribly wrong, and we women need to speak out and do something about it.

    “We make up 50 per cent of this country’s population and we cannot continue to be sidelined in the decision making process of this country”.

    Earlier, Gloria Shoda, President of NCWS, said that insensitivity of the government was responsible for most problems confronting women.

    She opined that the recurring issues of women are not limited to poverty, unemployment, lack of access, lack of any social support system, inequality and the abysmal levels of women participation and representation in decision making in the political parties structures an in government.

    Shoda added that the society has decided to fight for the thirty five percent affirmative action to help change the narratives of Nigeria’s politics.

    She said that going forward the society would, henceforth, negotiate with and partner with any political party that would implement the 35 per cent affirmative action in filling it’s political party leadership positions.

    “We will partner with parties that will respect the 35 per cent affirmative action in selection of candidates for the 2019 general elections, prioritise women issues in its manifestos, and implement the 35 per cent action in its appointments when it wins the elections”.

    The chairman House of Representative ‎on Women Affairs and Social Development,  Mrs Stella Ugwu representing the Speaker of the House of representative, noted that the representation of women in the house was quite low.

    According to her, in the house of representatives there are only 22 women out of the 360 members, which is not too impressive.

    NAN

  • ‘Oando Foundation equips 80 primary schools in 22 states’

    ‘Oando Foundation equips 80 primary schools in 22 states’

    Oando Foundation, an independent charity organisation has equipped  80 primary schools in 22 states and the FCT, in its efforts to boost access to quality education in the country.

    Mrs Adekanla Adegoke, Head of the foundation, made the disclosure at the inauguration of a block of three classrooms, ICT Centre and toilet facility at LEA Primary School Rido in Kaduna on Wednesday.

    The  facilities were donated to the school by the foundation, as part of Oando’s corporate social responsibility.

    According to her, the foundation has initiated a programme tagged Adopt-A-School Initiative (AASI), aimed at  holistic improvement of public primary schools.

    “AASI was initiated in 2007 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards in line with Oando Foundation’s mission of transforming lives through education.

    “AASI is focused on improving the overall quality of basic education in public primary schools and to create a sustainable model for effective teaching and learning in all adopted schools.”

    She said that the 80 schools adopted by Oando Foundation were located in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara and Lagos states.

    Others are in Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and the FCT.

    She disclosed that the foundation had adopted two schools in Kaduna state, namely LEA Primary School, Rido, and LEA Primary School Rigasa.

    “The foundation has so far spent about N50 million in LEA Rido since its adoption in 2011.

    “We constructed two blocks of five classrooms and sanitation facilities to improve hygiene.

    “We equally offered scholarship to 22 students to support their secondary education, provided over 1,000 units of teaching and learning materials to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in the school.

    “We have also built the capacity of teachers and head teachers in modern teaching techniques,” the official said.

    She added that the foundation also partnered Sumitomo Chemical, a Japanese company, to establish the solar powered ICT centres in public primary schools in Kaduna, Lagos and Taraba states.

    “While most children in rural areas do not have access to a computer, three out of every five children in the urban areas lack basic ICT skills.

    “To reverse this negative trend, the foundation has established 15 ICT/Creative Centres in its adopted schools, serving the learning needs of over 16,000 pupils.

    “Together with Sumitomo Chemical and other well-meaning organisations like the Educate-A-Child Qatar, we are creating an enabling environment to provide pupils from marginalised backgrounds invaluable 21st century technology skills, “Adegoke said.

    Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Malam Nasir Umar thanked the foundation for the gesture, saying that “education is a collective responsibility”.

    Represented by a Permanent Member of the board, Mrs Mary Ambi, the chairman called on other corporate organizations to emulate the gesture.

    Similarly, the Village Head of the community, Alhaji Hamisu Haruna also commended the effort, adding that it would reduce current congestion of over 300 pupils per class.

    He said that the school, built in the 1960s and with a population of about 2,000 pupils, has only seven classrooms, stressing that much would be required to bridge the gap.

    NAN

  • NGO provides shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau

    NGO provides shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau

    An NGO, Societal Socialize Children Villages International, established to meet the children’s needs and protect their rights, has given shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau since 2010.

    The Programme Director of the organisation, Mr Stephen Davou, made this known in an interview on Wednesday in Jos.

    Davou said that the beneficiaries had either lost a parent or about to lose, and thus, had no economic and emotional stability to secure their future.

    He said that the children were selected from social development welfare offices across the 17 LGAs of Plateau with guardianship from the court of law.

    “The 99 children are in 12 family houses, with 33 in secondary school and 66 in the primary school.
    “We offer them parental care using family-based care model because the family is the best place for the child to grow.
    “We have a mother figure to care for them throughout their period with us. It is a long-term programme in which their education, health, morals are catered for.

    “They can stay with us till university level and leave the shelter when they are self-sustaining; then, we re-integrate them into the society,” he said.

    The official said that the organisation had also trained youths on entrepreneurial skills and secured their internship in various organisations.

    According to Davou, some of the youths eventually get employed in their places on internship.

    He urged the Plateau Government to gazette the Child Rights Law passed in the state since 2005, noting that child abusers were perpetrating the act because the law had yet to be operational.

    “We are pleading for functional family courts according to the provisions of the Child Rights Law because prosecution on issues affecting children’s welfare will be better handled there than in the conventional courts,’’ he said.

    He said that crisis in Plateau had rendered many children homeless.

    According to him, parents should be close to their children, know their friends, monitor where they go and sensitise them to the need to identify and report any form of abuse from anybody for appropriate actions.

    The organization, which has headquarters in Austria, has offices in seven states in Nigeria.

    NAN

  • PLSG decries increase of women in child trafficking

    PLSG decries increase of women in child trafficking

    Plateau Government on Wednesday expressed concern over increasing number of women in drug abuse and child trafficking-related issues in the state.

    Mrs Rufina Gurumyen, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social development, made this known at Stakeholders’ Validation workshop in Jos.

    The workshop was organised by the UN to review and adopt the Plateau State Action Plan (SAP) on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.

    The commissioner, represented by Mrs Hassana Ayika, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said suspected drug abusers were main culprits in the trafficking of children.

    She also said that there was a spillover of terrorists activities, proliferation of firearms and armed robbery cases in the state, resulting in women and girls being kidnapped.

    Gurumyen said “these activities have adverse effects on women and children, who are one of the most vulnerable groups in the society.

    “If women were optimally engaged in peace building process, there may not be crisis in Plateau.”

    She, however, stressed the need to enlighten and engage women to identify early warning signs of crisis to forestall its occurrence.

    The commissioner said that emerging issues affecting women posed threat to the progress of the state.

    She added that “participants of this workshop should, therefore, ensure that the SAP on UNCSR incorporated women engagement in governance, their numbers increased and extended in traditional council in various communities in Plateau.

    “The plan should also provide enabling environment for women to actively participate in the forth coming local government polls in Plateau.”

    In her remarks, Ms Sewuese Surma, the UN Women Gender and Technical Advisor in Plateau, said the objective of the workshop was to ensure that women rights were protected and promoted in peace and security plan in Plateau.

    She said validation was necessary to capture and bridge the identified gaps and emerging security challenges in Plateau, which was not previously captured in the 2015 Plateau SAP.

    Mrs Fatima Suleiman, the Coordinator, Women Peace and Security Network (WPSN), stressed the need to establish desk officers for women and children in all organisations.

    UNSCR 1325 is basically on gender parity at all levels of decision making among, others.

    Read Also:

    Plateau: Not again!

  • Killings on the Plateau

    SIR: With mindless terror attacks by deranged adherents of the Boko Haram Islamist sect reasonably under control, a feat that has earned Nigeria tremendous accolades, here comes a fresh security threat posed by amorphous killer herdsmen on a mission to wipe out innocent Nigerians across villages in some parts of the country, especially within the North-central.

    States like Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi and Plateau have had their fair share of murderous attacks perpetrated by blood-thirsty characters we often call herdsmen. They visit villages and leave sorrow, tears and blood as regular trademarks. Sadly, while these undesirable elements are becoming daring in their acts, we, including security agencies, have become helpless.

    This is certainly one ugly development that authorities cannot afford to gloss over. It is capable of reversing the modest achievements recorded in the security sub-sector in the last two years. The truth is, it appears relevant government establishments, especially security organizations lack the needed capacity to deal with these guys once and for all.

    Last weekend’s midnight attack on the Plateau by suspected killer herdsmen clearly indicates that there is indeed no respite in sight for our security men. The explanations so far offered by concerned authorities on how these assailants invaded Miango, in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, a community under security watch, are not in sync with common sense. The statements are as indicting as worrisome.

    The unsolved puzzle surrounding the activities of these killers is further compounded by the sheer inability of security agencies to emphatically tell us who these guys are. Their inability to put a face or name to these murderous acts daily fuels suspicion, especially by those who feel government hasn’t shown enough seriousness in unmasking the characters behind the madness. Undoubtedly, while the frequencies of these attacks are troubling, the audacity with which the attackers operate should give us cause for concern. How do we explain a situation whereby arm-wielding herdsmen trail defenseless citizens to where they were camped after being chased out of their homes by the assailants and have their throats slashed?

    One worrisome development is that, in recent times, critical government agencies have become very lethargic in responding to issues within their statutory mandates. A situation where the Nigerian Police which is domiciled in every nook and cranny of the country finds it almost difficult to respond swiftly to emergency calls within their areas of operations should be a source of concern to all discerning minds.

    I listened to the incoherent explanation offered by the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Jeremiah Undie on why the assailants took them unaware. He said, the “attackers did not adhere to the order on the restriction of movement”. Was he really expecting criminal elements to obey law and order? It is indeed quite shocking that a 21st century security team would go to sleep simply because it earlier issued security directives.

    Also, lack of synergy and cooperation among security agencies could be the missing link as to why these merchants of death are having the upper hand. Ideally, security forces should be able to gather and share intelligence on how best to monitor, track, isolate and deal with potential threat. Both the leaderships of Operation Safe Haven and Plateau Police Command contradicted each other in their separate submissions on the callous attack in Miango. This is an indication that both establishments neither share information nor work together. It is a sad reality.

    President Muhammadu Buhari should urgently, beyond verbal condemnation, direct his security chiefs to evolve measures that would unmask and also put names and faces to these killer herdsmen. It is altogether sad and disturbing that our entire security apparatchik is unable to tell who these guys are after series of attacks linked to them. Putting names and faces to these characters isn’t rocket science. It isn’t a task that requires so much to achieve results.

    Beyond condemning the atrocious acts, we expect the President to ensure that heads of security agencies swing into action immediately. A stitch in time saves nine. God bless Nigeria.

     

    • Abdullahi Yunusa

    FHA, Lugbe, Abuja.

  • Plateau: Not again!

    Plateau State is one of the most spectacular places in Nigeria. And that in many ways. Let us begin with the natural features of it picturesque charming sprawling topography. Whether approached through Bauchi, Nassarawa, Kaduna or Taraba states by land or bird’s view from the air, its stunning natural scenery is simply breathtaking. It has temperate weather for the most part. What government institutions and commercial organisations elsewhere invest huge sums of money on to develop tourism, nature so freely endows the state. Sprawling flora, springs, water falls, mountain ranges and valleys, grandiose rock formations, grand caves, resplendent lakes, inselbergs and all, make the place so cosmic.

    So it should not be difficult to understand why one is worried that serious tension is brewing again leading to killings in the state in the past few days. For those that were born, who lived, schooled or spent some part of their career in Jos, the state’s capital or its environment before, a feeling of nostalgia about Plateau State is almost like their second nature. It transpires as it were that Jos itself was the permanent abode of some British colonial masters who resided there for their mining business as far back as the early 20th century. Even first time visitors often make up their minds to permanently reside in Jos for its ambience.

    In the time past one could easily point to some significant senior citizens including police, army, air-force officers or other senior civil servants in the country who felt good enough to own property there. Many leaders were groomed in Plateau State. If a list of great Nigerians and non-Nigerians who cut their teeth in Jos is made, it will simply be endless—from John Major, the former British Prime Minister to Nigeria’s second Military Head of State General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon, President Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Inspectors General of Police Muhammadu Gambo, Aliyu Attah, Sunday Ehindero, Mike Okiro, Hafiz Ringim, Mohamed Dahiru Abubakar and Suleiman Abba among others. For some of these top police, military and paramilitary and other personnel, their sojourn to Jos other than on tour of duty to various formations, obviously had a nexus with three major institutions namely the University of Jos, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and the Police Staff College in Jos.

    There are many others in diverse fields including politicians like the second republic Deputy Senate President John Wash Pam, first civilian governor of Plateau State and PDP Chairman Solomon Daushep Lar, first women leader of the Nigerian’s People’s Party (NPP) the late Ngo Hannatu Chollom who grew up there. You can also trace legendary and great footballers like Aloysius Atuegbu, Celestine Babayaro, Victor Moses, Mikel Obi among others of the Green and Super Eagles fame to Jos. What about musicians? Bongus Ikwue, Dan Maraya Jos, Jude Abaga alias MI, Pankshin Zamani alias Ice Prince, Doug Kaze, Jeremiah Pam Gyang, Jesse Garba Abaga aka Jesse Jagz, Ngohide Ann Gyang better known as Rubby. Others include Innocent Ujah Idibia alias 2Face and Peter and Paul Okoye, the twin brothers who make up P-Square. We can go on and on, and only one book may not contain the list of celebrities that Plateau State has produced, perhaps mostly due to its cosmopolitan nature. Some hold the belief that its high altitude may have something to do with personality trait of some of these celebrities.

    To say the least, Jos was pure fun, so much fun back in the days, up to the late 90s. The city was not only serene but very safe. And you can underscore the word safe. And so was the entire state. There were few incidents of minor robberies and other petty thievery; but there were no kidnappings, bombings, mass killings, and attacks by Fulani herdsmen or reprisal by the locals. A retrospect of growing up days brings to memory several young men like Nzoh Ngandembou Zachee, the Cameroonian proprietor of EDEN newspaper who also owns EDEN FM and founder of CERUT (an NGO), Joshua Dariye former governor of the state and now senator, Simon Lalong, former Speaker of the House of Assembly and now governor of Plateau State, amongst others that are quite successful in life today who grew up there.

    Regrettably all that sanctity, all that tranquility and all that traditional placidity has since passed off. How sad it is that Plateau State’s honorific sobriquet has been replaced by mutual suspicion, political crises, incessant mass killings, herdsmen attacks, maiming, arson, occasional bomb blasts, kidnappings, heinous robberies and all kinds of violent crimes.

    The past few days have witnessed a number of such ugly incidents as in the case of the Monday, October 15, pre-down attacks in some communities in Bassa and Barkin Ladi Local Government areas respectively by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia. Those and other attacks occurred despite the fact that the state government had pre-emptively  imposed  curfew in Jos North and South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government areas respectively due to mounting tensions to stem further nervousness.

    Sporadic attacks, counter-attacks and reprisals as phenomenal occurrences in Plateau State date back to the Jos riots of September 7, 2001. That particular conflict was immediately caused by the appointment of one Alhaji Muktar Mohammed as the coordinator of a local unit of the Federal Government Poverty Alleviation Programme. The violence lasted for almost two weeks resulting in the gruesome death of about 1,000 persons; many others got maimed, with so many property destroyed. A noteworthy issue here about the recurrent conflict in Plateau State is its remote cause to wit: lingering suspicion between the majority Christian indigenes and the so-called minority settler Hausa-Fulani Muslim elements, which has brewed into longstanding political misgivings. It is this lingering cycle of mutual suspicion and political misgiving that snow-balled into and culminated in the reprisal killing of about 600 persons in Yelwa Shedam back in 2004. The Yelwa incident resulted to the imposition of a state of emergency on the state by the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo in May 2004. By that time, over 2000 persons were alleged to have been massacred while over 5000 others were either displaced and/or severely injured in sporadic attacks.

    It is not only pathetic but thoroughly heartbroken and disconsolate that persistent and sustainably workable peace has since eluded Plateau State. Even more disconcerting is the fact that the state government has, with the support of the federal government, spent so much resources to no avail on security through the deployment of Operation Safe Haven; one of the longest internal security operations in the country. One of the most worrisome issues about the situation in Plateau State is the fact that the perceived root causes of acrimonious ethnicity, religion and political belligerence have seemingly defied all resolution efforts so far. In this lies the bigger fear of what could happen if the conflict is not curtailed, contained and resolved once and for all. The implication of allowing it to conflagrate can only be imagined. Whatever it would take therefore to resolve it once and for all must be employed to deal with the situation. And not again should things be allowed to degenerate to the 2001 or 2004 experiences.

     

    • Bassey, President, African Council on Narcotics (ACON) writes from Abuja.
  • NAF deploys fighter jets to Plateau to check violence

    NAF deploys fighter jets to Plateau to check violence

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday said its has deployed its air assets and personnel to Jos, Plateau State, to curtail the spread of violence and maintain peace.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the development was in accordance with the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar in line with the directive issued by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Service Chiefs.

    Adesanya maintained in a statement that the deployment of the air assets would also prevent reprisal attacks and escalation of the crisis.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed some of its air assets and personnel to Jos, the Plateau State capital, to support Operation SAFE HAVEN to maintain peace and curtail senseless killings as well as possible spread of violence in some parts of the State.

    “The deployment was ordered by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in compliance with the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that an end is put to the current spate of violence and killings in the state.

    Read: Plateau killings: ‘How gunmen rained bullets on us’

    ” The deployment is also to ensure the prevention of reprisal attacks, which could escalate the conflict. The deployed NAF assets include the L-39ZA aircraft and the EC-135 helicopter, which are to provide necessary air cover to the surface forces participating in the Operation in the State.

    “It would be recalled that the NAF has always acted in aid of civil authority, whenever called upon to do so, in line with its statutory role.

    “The NAF, apart from its presence in the North East to fight Boko Haram insurgents, has also deployed its air assets and personnel in recent times to Kafachan in Southern Kaduna and Takum in Taraba State to stop incessant communal clashes.

    ” The NAF remains focused on its primary responsibility of ensuring the security of the citizenry while continuing to count on their support and understanding”.

    Read Also: NAF joins Operation Python Dance II

     

  • Plateau set for peaceful LG polls

    Plateau set for peaceful LG polls

    Gov. Mr Simon Lalong of Plateau signed the act establishing Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission on Aug. 9, indicating further empowerment of the commission to regulate local government elections.

    The signing of the act to law also gives the commission the impetus to set the ball rolling for the conduct of the next local government polls in the state on Feb. 17, 2018.

    The commission began with a familiarisation visit to the 17 local government areas of the state, meeting with the traditional rulers and other stakeholders and intimating them of its plans to conduct free, fair and peaceful polls.

    Also to ensure free, fair and credible council polls in the state, the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Good Governance recently, engaged the commission, security agencies, political parties and some key stakeholders in a town hall meeting in Jos.

    The town hall meeting was supported by Community Action for Popular Participation Actionaid Nigeria, Ukaid and BBC Media Action.

    In a keynote address at the meeting, the Senior Adviser, Search for Common Ground in Nigeria, Mr Chom Bagu, stated reasons why the commission must conduct local government elections that would be acceptable to the majority of the people.

    According to him, credible and acceptable polls would further consolidate the peace being enjoyed in the state.

    “It is also important to ensure that the poll is not only free and fair, but it should be credible and acceptable by a majority of the citizens.

    “Democratic process must be adhered to so that the people can attest and accept the outcome of the elections.

    “We have gone through turbulent times in the state; now we are enjoying relative peace. So we will not want a situation whereby the local government elections will draw us backwards.

    “We advise that the commission to improve on its past efforts and ensure that the elections are conducted in a manner that will consolidate on the existing peace in the state,’’ he said.

    Bagu further advised the electoral umpire to be transparent and show a high degree of credibility while conducting the council polls.

    Also speaking at the event, a public affairs commentator, Mr Steve Aloko, said the onus lay on the police to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable local government elections in Plateau.

    He noted that the police reserved the duty to ensure the forthcoming local government polls in the state were conducted in an environment devoid of electoral frauds.

    “The onus lies on the police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful atmosphere is provided for free, fair and credible local government elections in Plateau.

    “As an institution, it reserves the right and powers to prevent people from committing electoral crime before, during and after elections.

    “We rely solely on them to ensure hoodlums and desperate politicians do not hijack the electoral process, but to provide an environment where every citizen can exercise their civic rights,’’ he advised.

    Aloko further urged the police to discharge their duties devoid of fears or favours, and called on the public to support and cooperate with them.

    He also charged the police to give serious considerations to improving rural policing before, during and after elections.

    “The bulk of the issues that mars free and free elections in Nigeria emanates from the rural areas, and it is a serious challenge,’’ he observed.

    He said the police should work towards confidence-building as most populace had, over the years, lost confidence in the police.

    He also called on government to adequately mobilise the police with all that would be needed in the discharge of their duties to minimise the risk of compromise.

    In his view, the Policy and Governance Advisor, Actionaid Nigeria, Mr Kenneth Okoineme, urged political parties to entrench internal party democracy to ensure peaceful and acceptable local government polls.

    According to him, the forthcoming local government polls would only be free, fair and credible when parties adhere and ensure inclusiveness.

    “We all know that political parties play key role in deepening and shaping our polity, but the most important thing is the issue of parties adhering to the principle of internal democracy.

    “There is also the need for parties to ensure an all-inclusive system that accommodates and engages all of its members; a situation where people should be the centre of its decision.

    “So sentiment, personal interest and things that may breed conflicts and disagreements within the parties must be kept aside to ensure peaceful polls in the state,’’ he said.

    Okoineme also urged parties to desist from hate campaigns and canvass for votes, using matured and more civilised ways.

    He cautioned candidates against campaigns that could truncate the existing fragile peace being enjoyed in the state.

    “You have very important role to play in ensuring that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state is sustained, and if possible consolidated.

    “Personal sentiments within your parties must be jettisoned and the interest of the majority should always take the day.

    “That way, we will have not only free and fair, but also a peaceful and acceptable local government election in Plateau,’’ he said.

    Okoineme also charged the party leaders to create rooms for youths to contest elections on the platforms of their (leaders) parties.

    He said the council poll was coming at the time when Nigerians were yearning for the younger generation to take up leadership roles and the parties ought to support their aspirations.

    Beside this, Mr Nelson Ananza, Acting Director, Community Action for Popular Participation, said the meeting was aimed at engaging critical stakeholders with a view to improving the electoral process through active citizen participation.

    Ananza expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the end of the meeting would further add value to the electoral process and ensure credible council polls in Plateau.

    Considering the importance of an electoral commission to credible elections, Mr Fabian Ntung, Chairman, Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, promised to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

    He, nonetheless, appealed to concerned political stakeholders to abide by the laid down rules and regulations during the electioneering to deliver a peaceful and acceptable polls.

    NAN