Acting chairman of Plateau State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. HARUNA DABIN, speaks with JUDE IDU on return of peace in the state, development efforts of Governor Jonah Jang’s administration and his party’s agenda for 2015, among other issues…
Relative peace in Plateau
Dr. Haruna Dabin
It is as a result of the good work of my governor and, indeed, all that are in his cabinet, including indigenes of the state. All have come to embrace peace to allow development take place. From what is obtainable in the state, no one is willing to fight. There is rather the desire by all to make head way and see that the state returns to what is used to be.
What was missed at the period of unrest
A great deal! I don’t know if you are aware of what Jos used to be in the past. But I believe that the present government led by Governor Jang has restored at least 75 per cent of what was destroyed at the period of the unrest. This is a state loved by all due to its beautiful landscape and natural weather. Foreigners and indeed companies and corporate organisations loved it.
Issues leading to crisis resolved by government
You may not be out of place if you say that because it takes a man to know his people and deal with their individual problems. The problems began during the past administration, which the present administration inherited. The governor took it upon himself to wade in and see that the problem was brought to its logical conclusion. However, problems in human existence cannot be brought to an end as far as the race continues to exist. Politically, one may see some level of disagreements, but these can also be handled. We all have our differences politically. It would be out of place to say that everyone should reason like you.
Cohesion in Plateau PDP
Well, internal party politics yes; but any opposition in my state, I am not aware of that for now. What I am saying is that Governor Jang has brought everybody on under one umbrella that accommodates every one and gives every one equal opportunity to air their views. We have one party, which is the PDP in Plateau. As the chairman of the state PDP, we are an indivisible entity.
Plateau PDP readiness for 2015
Of course, our duty is to ensure that the best candidate emerges; the one who is to give back the people their political mandate and the one that will not fail the forefathers in the state and at the national level. That is the choice of candidate. Yet, the choice is for the people to make. That is the tradition the national body of the ruling party has adopted now. No more Abuja campaign methods.
Abuja campaign methods
Yes, it means when some people secure political mandate from an Abuja godfather, without being grassroots politicians; they come here to buy their mandate and come home to impose it on the people, whether they like it or not. I must tell you, that is no more the trend.
Zoning Plateau governorship seat
The question is quite irrelevant since zones and ethnicity may not come into play here. In my state, we are looking at who the people want. It is not for me to say because I might be wrong. Left for me, we should be giving chance to a person who will continue from the policies and legacies in the state, which has been brought back from the near decay caused by civil unrest. I think the present administration has carved such a niche to set a standard for the next governor of the state.
The person should be one who will continue with the educational programmes and ideology; one who will continue with our agricultural projects and building of infrastructure for job creation.
But above all, he should be one who will not derail the transformation agenda of Mr. President.
Returnees to Plateau PDP
Yes, of course; but we are planning how to welcome them back into the party. We are going to invite the national chairman and indeed every Nigerian who wishes to come to witness their return to the party. However, their names are being withheld for now.
