Opinion

APC’s inaugural rally on the Plateau and scuffle for next speaker

Published

4 years ago

November 21, 2022

vicky

Aside from the poor crowd control at the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign in Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday, personally I will adjudge the rally a huge success. This is more so given the fact that Plateau State is not a stronghold of the party, despite being the governing party in the State.

The common perception among the people of the Plateau is that the APC government failed them on security and they would not reward failure. If this information is anything to go by, then the ruling party might just leave out the State as part of its possible catch both for the governorship and presidential elections in 2023.

Be that as it may, the rally was hugely successful as the turnout was massive. I can confirm that the crowd you saw on your television sets represents about 60 percent of the attendees. The remaining 40 percent of attendance was off the cameras outside the venue. While some made failed attempts to gain entrance into the stadium until the event was over, others were comfortable outside the venue as they were there for a different motive of promoting the political interests of some party candidates. There were non-partisan people who also came around for their brisk businesses.

Different support groups were noticed in their numbers declaring support for the APC presidential candidate and at the same time suggesting their interest in other political positions, if and when the APC forms government in 2023.

The most prominent among these groups were the supporters of the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Muktar Aliyu Betara, and supporters of the majority leader of the House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

While Betara’s supporters conspicuously dominated the crowd both inside and outside the campaign premises, with an uninterrupted display of energy to ensure that their presence was felt, the Doguwa’s group was more noticed by their big buses and posters. The few people around the buses decorated with Doguwa’s posters were probably too tired to display their talent or wait till the end of the event to start their business.

Nevertheless, the statement from the APC campaign rally was that Hon. Betara, who represents Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State and Hon. Doguwa, who is from Doguwa/Tudunwada federal constituency of Kano State, is in the race to clinch the position of speaker when the 10th Assembly is formed next year.

Although the APC is yet to announce its zoning arrangement for the National Assembly positions come June 2023 when the 10th Assembly would be inaugurated, it is becoming clearer that irrespective of the zoning arrangement, the duo of Betara and Doguwa may defy the party arrangement, if it does not favor them individually, to try their luck.

Doguwa, who was first elected to the House in 1992 under the platform of the defunct SDP, is the most senior serving member of the House. He succeeded in returning to the House of Representatives in 2007 and has since been representing his constituents in that capacity since then. Doguwa, who is fighting the fiercest political battle of his life to return to the House, would have been elected into the green chamber for the 6th term and 5th consecutive term since 2007 if he wins the 2023 election.

Just like Doguwa, Betara has been elected to the House for four consecutive terms since 2007 and the 2023 election, which is almost a done deal for him, will make his election the 5th.

Quite strangely, the deputy speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase, who is also an equal match for the duo of Doguwa and Betara, did not record a large crowd of supporters in his home state of Plateau. This, however, does not suggest that Wase is unpopular at home. He is a smooth and silent operator who can not be underrated in any race.

I have it on good authority that Wase will always win elections in his Wase federal constituency, but the case may not be the same if he were to take a shot at senatorial or governorship positions, due to the political demography of Plateau State.

Whether or not the APC makes a clear majority in the green chamber after the February 2023 elections, the three men mentioned above (if re-elected) will most certainly pull their weight when it is time to slug it out for the speakership position in the House, the Jos rally has given us a clue what to expect in 2023.

News

Plateau Information Commissioner Joyce Ramnap, Vindicated as NUJ Rejects Allegations of Journalist Exclusion

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Preport

The Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, have refuted allegations that some journalists and media publishers were deliberately prevented from covering the recent flag-off ceremony of the state’s ultra-modern abattoir project in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The clarification follows a publication circulated on social media claiming that the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, mni, instructed an aide to stop certain journalists from participating in the coverage of the event held at Pwomol in Heipang District.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant in the Office of the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Stanley Smiles, the Ministry described the allegation as false, misleading, and without any factual basis.

According to the statement, the groundbreaking ceremony was a public government event, and media participation was coordinated through the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, the umbrella body representing media organizations in the state.

The Ministry emphasized that neither the Commissioner nor any official of the Ministry issued directives to exclude or restrict any journalist or media organization from covering the programme.

It further noted that journalists from various media platforms attended and reported on the event, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transparency, openness, and equal access to information.

The statement added that Commissioner Joyce Ramnap remains dedicated to promoting government activities and ensuring that citizens receive accurate and timely information about the policies, programmes, and projects of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.

“It is therefore inaccurate to suggest that the Commissioner would deliberately block media coverage of a major government project, as such actions are inconsistent with her responsibilities and established record,” the Ministry stated, urging the public to disregard the publication and rely on verified information from official sources.

In a separate statement, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, also distanced itself from the publication, clarifying that the opinions expressed did not reflect the official position of the Council but were those of the individuals involved.

The statement, jointly signed by NUJ Chairman Ayuku Pwaspo, ANIPR, and Secretary Mary Domtur, acknowledged that while some members were unable to board the vehicles provided for transportation to the venue, they successfully attended the event by making alternative arrangements through personal vehicles and public transportation.

The Council encouraged all concerned parties to adopt dialogue and existing dispute-resolution mechanisms instead of resorting to public narratives capable of creating unnecessary tension within the media industry.

It also observed that administrative decisions relating to media coordination at government functions should not be misconstrued without a proper understanding of established protocols and procedures.

The NUJ commended the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap for maintaining productive engagement with media stakeholders and facilitating effective dissemination of government information.

As part of its resolution, the Council passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner, applauding her commitment to strengthening communication channels between the government and the media.

The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting professionalism in journalism, and fostering mutual respect among journalists, media owners, government institutions, and the public in the overall interest of Plateau State.

News

2027: SDP’s Adebayo kicks against ADC, other parties deregistration

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Preport

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2023 election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has condemned a court ruling which ordered the deregistration of some political parties, describing the development as unconstitutional, undemocratic and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Adebayo, in a post on his X handle, said there was no constitutional, legal or moral justification for alternative political platforms to be suppressed through government action backed by judicial orders.

According to him, the development is particularly troubling as it comes barely days after the nation marked Democracy Day with celebrations, national honors and renewed commitments to democratic values.

He noted that although his party is not among those reportedly affected, remaining silent in the face of injustice would amount to abandoning democratic principles.

The ADP chieftain called on Nigerians and all defenders of democracy to stand in solidarity with the affected parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Action Alliance, AA, Action People’s Party, APP, Accord Party, AP, and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.

Adebayo argued that Nigeria’s vast social, cultural, religious, economic and ideological diversity require a broad range of political platforms through which citizens can freely pursue their political aspirations.

He pledged support to the affected parties in their quest for justice and restoration through lawful means, stressing that democratic participation should never be restricted.

The SDP chieftain also advocated constitutional reforms to remove the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register or deregister political parties, limiting the commission’s role to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

He proposed a system where political associations are free to field candidates, subject to statutory deposits, which parties failing to secure a minimum percentage of votes would forfeit.

Adebayo warned against policies capable of raising political tension in the country, urging leaders to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and promoting national development instead.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court, in a ruling on Monday, had ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Accord Party, and others, and stop them from participating in the 2027 general election.