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Tag: Plateau

  • Plateau governor suspends last-minute  appointments

    Plateau governor suspends last-minute  appointments

    The pleateu state governor Caleb Mutfwang has suspended last-minute appointments into the state’s civil service made by his predecessor, Barr. Simon Lalong.

    Mutfwang’s in a statement issued by his media aide media aide Gyang Bere,  in Jos yesterday said that the governor directed the suspension of the appointments because they were “flagrant abuse of Public Service Rules’’.

    The statement reads:
    “All appointments into the state’s civil service from Oct. 1, 2022, to date are hereby suspended with effect from the same date subject to review in line with due process.

    “All those who have retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty posts either because of extension or contract appointment are to hand over government property in their possession and vacate the offices immediately.

    “All civil servants due for retirement but are yet to tender their letters of retirement or notice of retirement should do so forthwith and proceed on retirement immediately.

    “All civil servants and or persons appointed Permanent Secretaries from January 2023 to date should revert to their previous positions forthwith,’’ the Governor directed.

    The government assured that measures and steps to strengthen and build a result-oriented civil service would be taken in due course.

  • Plateau councillors fault suspension by Mutfwang, describe move as illegal

    Plateau councillors fault suspension by Mutfwang, describe move as illegal

    The  National Councillors Forum of Nigeria (NCFN) in Plateau have described the suspension of 325 local government councillors in the state as illegal.

    The forum’s disapproval is contained in a statement issued by the state Chairman in Plateau, Mr John Dabit in Jos.

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang had on May 31 suspended all democratic structures in the 17 Local Governments Areas following recommendations of the Plateau House of Assembly.

    The forum kicked against the suspension describing their positions in office in line with democratic stipulations.

    ‘’All the 325 councillors who constitute the Legislative Councils allegedly suspended in the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau emerged from a democratic election conducted according to the provisions of Section 7(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 7(2).

    ”The action of the governor is a clear violation of the constitution, State and Local Government Law and the decision of several courts including the supreme court,’’ he said.

    The forum noted that the governor who is a lawyer should be privy to the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the dissolution of the elected structures at the local government.

    “We hereby reject the resolution passed recommending or advising our suspension by the Plateau  House of Assembly and its purported approval by the Governor,’’ he said.

    The councillors therefore urged Mutfwang to rescind his decision in the interest of justice and the rule of law.

    The forum said that the action would foster harmonious and collaborative function of the state and local government for the progress of Plateau and the benefit of the masses.

  • Plateau Assembly holds plenary after 2 month-closure

    Plateau Assembly holds plenary after 2 month-closure

    The Plateau House of Assembly on Tuesday held its plenary after two months of closure and congratulated the new state Gov. Caleb Mutfwang.

    It would be recalled that security operatives sealed the assembly complex since April 4 over leadership tussle.

    The Speaker, Abok Ayuba, who presided over the Tuesday plenary was elected speaker by his colleagues in June 2019 but was impeached on Oct. 28, 2021 by members of the assembly.

    Ayuba, however, challenged his impeachment which he described as illegal, saying that it contravened the rules of the assembly.

    He was eventually reinstated on April 3 by a Plateau High Court presided over Justice Nefisa Musa.

    The speaker who succeeded Ayuba, Assemblyman Yakubu Sanda, challenged High Court judgement and claimed that he was still in charge, the situation led to closure of assembly complex by security agencies to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    The reinstated speaker, during the plenary, decried the time wasted over the needless closure but thanked God that they finally resumed legislative business.

    Also during the plenary, a motion for a matter of urgent public importance was moved by Assemblyman Bala Fwenji, member representing Mangu South State Constituency.

    Fwenji said that he moved the motion in pain because most parts of his constituency came under serious attack with no fewer than 180 people killed, many sustained various degrees of injuries while more than 30,000 were displaced.

    The members unanimously condemned the persistent attacks in the state and called on Plateau and federal governments to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The lawmakers said that according to Nigerian Constitution, security shall be the primary responsibility of government.

    They called for a review of the law establishing Operation Rainbow, the state security outfit to make it more effective in combating the challenges.

    The assemblymen called for roundtable for the key stakeholders in Plateau to find a permanent solution to the attacks.

    They called on government to direct State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the situation and assist the victims to ameliorate their sufferings.

    Plateau Rural Access Agency bill passed second reading during the plenary.

  • 50 Baptist Church members killed in Plateau attacks

    50 Baptist Church members killed in Plateau attacks

    Rev. Keoleh Saleh, the President of the Baptist Conference in Plateau, says that 50 members of the church, including a pastor, were killed in recent attacks in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    Saleh disclosed this to NAN on Sunday in Jos, adding that over 500 of its members were also displaced.

    ”This unfortunate carnage affected the Baptist Church seriously; In Kantoma where we have a big church, we lost over 31 members, including a Moderator.

    ”Twenty three women were made widows on account of the attack. We lost nine members in Jwak Maitumbi, and a member in Kombili.

    ”Most of our members displaced in over 10 local churches are taking refuge in different places.

    ”We have located four centres in Jos metropolis where a family is hosting between 10 to 20 people, and we have over 200 displaced persons in Jos.

    ”We have 50 in Barkin Ladi, over 200 in Salama Baptist Church in Mangu and 78 others that included 44 little children at Bwarak, Pankshin,” he said.

    Saleh explained that in the last one week, the church spent over N3 million to cater for the needs of its displaced members taking refuge in its various local churches.

    ”Within one week, we have spent about N2m to get relief materials, but this is not enough, and our Baptist partners assisted us with N1m to make it N3m. But it is still not enough. We provided foodstuffs, clothing, shoes, mats, blankets and other items,” he said.

    Rev. Israel Akanji, the National President of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, who visited the displaced members, offered prayers and financial assistance to the victims of the attacks.

    He called on government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward bringing succour to the victims and finding lasting solution to the spate of killings in the state and nation at large.

    ”This is a farming season, and the government should think of returning these people to go to their farms.

    ”Whatever we are doing now will not be forever, government should wake up to its responsibility and ensure a safe place for these people to return to their farms,” he said.

  • Gunmen attack Plateau village, killing scores

    Gunmen attack Plateau village, killing scores

    Gunmen have killed over 30 persons in Bwoi District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.

    DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident in a statement.

    Alabo said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who described the incident as unfortunate has directed immediate deployment of armed personnel to the area.

    ”The commissioner of police expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that has claimed the lives of yet to be identified persons from various villages within the area.

    ”At about 11:56 p.m. on Tuesday, we received a distress call from one of our Police officers in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu, that some gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village.

    ”The commissioner immediately mobilised all assets in the command to the scene to ensure that the suspects are arrested and brought to book.

    ”Further information from the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), ACP Bawa Sale, who was also present at the scene, reveals that with help from other security agencies in the command, the hoodlums were chased away,”he said.

    He explained that due to the superior fire power of the security personnel, the hoodlums abandoned four motorcycles, a Sharon vehicle and some items used for their nefarious activities.

    ”As we speak, the culprits are on the run while our officers are still on their trail with the aim to ensure that they are neutralised and arrested,”he added.

    Alabo maintained that the commissioner of police has called on residents of the area to remain peaceful adding that security agencies have modalities on ground to nip the criminals.

    He also called on the residents with useful information to avail it to the security agencies for prompt action.

  • Plateau governor-elect promises to return displaced persons to ancestral homes

    Plateau governor-elect promises to return displaced persons to ancestral homes

    Plateau governor-elect Caleb Mutfwang has promised to work with other leaders toward returning persons displaced by violent attacks, to their ancestral homes.

    Mutfwang made the promise in Jos during the 2023 Nzem Berom celebration, the cultural day of the Berom people.

    He prayed for an end to the renewed killings in Plateau, to enable citizens who have laboured over the years to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    The governor-elect praised the Berom people for their resilience and commitment towards the rebuilding of Plateau, urging them not to relent as it was for the greater good of the state.

    “By the grace of God, I will work together with other leaders to ensure that our people that are displaced from their villages are returned to their ancestral land. 

    “Berom land will flourish again; Plateau will flourish again; and Nzem Berom will attract other people, not only from Plateau, but other states in Nigeria and internationally.

    “The history of Plateau cannot be complete without the history of the Berom. You cannot say you have developed Plateau without developing Berom land; you cannot secure the state without securing Berom land.

    “I am glad that today, other ethnic nationalities on the Plateau are gathered in solidarity with the Berom nation. This is the direction that we must go as people of Plateau from May 29,” he said.

    Mutfwang stated that his administration would focus on uniting Plateau and ensuring that cultural festivals were developed and packaged so that the state would regain its name as a home of peace and tourism.

    Earlier, Bauchi State governor Bala Muhammad had described the Berom people as hospitable and accommodative, promising to work in collaboration with the incoming governor to bring development to Plateau.

    Muhammad expressed confidence that the incoming governor would surpass the expectations of Plateau people in view of his competent leadership qualities exhibited over the years.

    Similarly, Senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang, stated that the Berom economy had undergone phases and stages of metamorphosis from the pre-colonial era which was widely regimented and characterised by farming, hunting, animal husbandry, among others.

    Gyang noted that the annual festival offers an opportunity to strengthen the bond of unity and brotherhood among the Berom people and other ethnicities in the state.

    He expressed hope that the incoming administration would address prevailing insecurity that had dislodged various communities.

  • Governor-elect, Mutfwang condemns Plateau killings

    Governor-elect, Mutfwang condemns Plateau killings

    Mr Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau Governor-elect, has condemned the killing of six persons at Farin lamba community in Jos South Local Government Area of the state

    Mutfwang, in a statement on Thursday in Jos, tasked security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the evil deed and bring them to justice.

    The statement was signed by Gyang Bere, the governor-elect’s Special Assistant on Media. He

    ”We condemn this attack in totality and appeal to security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    ”We call on security personnel to do all within their power to halt further attacks on our communities; we cannot afford to allow acts of impunity to continue against peace-loving people,” the statement said.

    Muftwang appealed to Plateau residents to remain peaceful at all times, and report any suspicious movement in their vicinities to security agencies for prompt action.

    The governor-elect commiserated with those who lost loved ones, but advised residents against taking laws into their hands.

  • BREAKING: Security operatives seal Plateau House of Assembly complex

    BREAKING: Security operatives seal Plateau House of Assembly complex

    Security operatives have sealed off the entrance of the Plateau House of Assembly as the tussle for the assembly speakership deepens.

    According to reports, no fewer than 15 security vehicles were seen stationed in strategic locations around the complex.

    It was observed that stern-looking Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security personnel manned the gates and surroundings.

    The road linking the Terminus Market from the Plateau Specialist Hospital through the assembly complex was blocked from traffic.

    The Plateau Police Spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, said that the move was to forestall any breakdown of law of order around the assembly.

    ”We learnt that supporters of some politicians will be coming around the assembly to protest.

    “If the politicians’ supporters come around, it is going to affect traffic and it may lead to breakdown of law and order.

    “In order to save lives and property, we took this action so that we can control security arrangements within the Plateau house of assembly area.

    “If nothing happens, the security will be relaxed and everything will return to normal,” he explained

    Abok Ayuba who was impeached on Oct. 28, 2021 was reinstated by the Plateau High Court on Monday.

    He resumed duties on Tuesday and presided over plenary.

    But Ayuba’s successor, Yakubu Sanda and 12 others filed an appeal and stay of execution on Tuesday.

    Both Sanda and Ayuba are laying claim to speakership of the assembly.

    While Ayuba is relying on his reinstatement, Sanda is holding unto the stay of execution.

    NAN

  • HoA elections: Plateau Speaker floored by female contestant

    HoA elections: Plateau Speaker floored by female contestant

    The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Yakubu Sanda, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost his bid to return to the House.

    He was defeated by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Happiness Matthew Akawu, in last Saturday’s elections for the Pengana State Constituency seat.

    The PDP candidate scored 9,926 votes to defeat the Speaker who polled 7,936 votes. While the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) scored 6,721 votes, the Labour Party raked in 1,028 votes.

    Find the Pengana State Assembly results below:

    APC – 7,936

    PDP – 9,926

    PRP – 6,721

    LP – 1,028

  • INEC shifts election for Bokkos LGA in Plateau to Sunday

    INEC shifts election for Bokkos LGA in Plateau to Sunday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted Saturday’s governorship and States Houses of Assembly elections in Butura Ward in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau to Sunday, due to a logistics problem.

    Dr. Oliver Agundu, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) said this when he spoke with newsmen in Jos on Saturday.

    Agundu said that election materials such as ballot papers meant for the ward were taken to another LGA in error.

    He said that in order not to disenfranchise members of the community, the election in the area would now hold on Sunday, March 19.

    He regretted any inconveniences caused by the delay and eventual shift of the election while calling on members of the community to come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise.