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Tag: Plateau

  • Elections: I am not afraid of rerun – Lalong

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau says he is not jittery over the March 23 Governorship Election Re-run in the state.

    Lalong expressed this view while speaking with State House correspondents after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The March 9 governorship election in the state was declared inconclusive as the margin between the votes polled by Lalong and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’ s candidate was less than the number of votes cancelled.

    The governor said he was confident of victory as the units where votes were cancelled were his strongholds

    “How can I be afraid when all the votes that were cancelled were my votes? These were areas that I won. `

    “There was no need for cancellation; but then as a lawyer, I still want to comply with the rules; I don’t want to be talking about infringing on the rules when the elections result is very clear.

    “They said registered voters were 49,000 but the votes were not up to 20,000 but people were still saying we need 49,000 and I was already on top with 45,000 votes. So we are going to get the 49,000.

    “ How can you imagine that a sitting governor cannot get 3,000 votes out of 39,000 in an area that I have dominated for a very long time. So for me, election is as good as concluded in Plateau State.

    “I see it as an opportunity for people whose votes were cancelled for them to vote. People came and said their votes were cancelled; it is for them to go back and vote and ensure their vote counts this time around.

    “That is why I support that we go back and conduct the elections. If they (INEC) like, let them conduct the elections more than once, we will soon win.’’

    Lalong, said, however, that his meeting with the president was the usual briefing borne out of his passion for security and peace in the state.

    He said that the last election in the state as peaceful and he would want INEC to also conduct peaceful supplementary elections; hence his briefing with the president on the need for adequate security.

    On the recent attack in the state in which cattle were rustled, he said it had a political undertone but was under control.

    “That was why I said I am concerned about security. Usually it starts like that; they start rustling and killing cattle and the next thing you will hear is that it is farmers-herders crisis.

    “I know that I have addressed that issue for a very long time and the police are handling the issue.

    “ So I informed the president that we are on top of the situation because we wouldn’t want that to escalate into farmers-herdsmen crisis.

    “It is not farmers-herdsmen crisis; it is criminals trying to forment trouble after losing elections.

    “ I always say it has political undertone; why is it happening immediately after elections. It usually happens immediately before or after elections; why is it like that? It has some political connotation.’’

    He said that getting reelected would mean continuation and completion of projects and initiation of new projects.

    Lalong said that civil servants had been worried that they would go back to the era of being owed salaries again if he lost election.

    “ So we want to continue with payment of salaries, gratuities, completion of projects that were started before I came and the ones I have initiated.

    “That is the Next Level in Plateau,’’ he said.

  • INEC promises to free, fair supplemetary polls in Plateau

    INEC promises to free, fair supplemetary polls in Plateau

    Ahead of the governorship supplementary elections scheduled for March 23, INEC has assured critical stakeholders in Plateau that it would conduct a free, fair and credible election in the affected areas.

    Mallam Halilu Pai, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in the state, gave the assurance at a meeting with leaders of various political parties and other stakeholders on Saturday in Jos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the March 9 governorship election in the state was declared inconclusive because the margin in the votes polled by the two leading candidates was less than the votes cancelled in some polling units.

    A total of 48,828 votes were cancelled across 40 polling units in 19 wards of nine local government areas.

    According to Pai, the commission has put all modalities on ground to ensure that a successful and peaceful supplementary election is conducted in the affected areas.

    “As we all know, exactly one week from today, we shall be conducting a supplementary poll for the governorship seat in 40 polling units in 19 Registration Areas spread across nine local governments.

    “So, we have called for this meeting to enable us brief all critical stakeholders of our level of preparedness for the forthcoming supplementary elections.

    “As a commission, we want to assure you that we will conduct a free, fair and credible election. We shall be neutral and ensure that the process is transparent,” he said.

    Pai also commended the political gladiators and residents of the state for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the presidential and governorship elections, and called on them to do better during the forthcoming supplementary polls.

    “It is on record that Plateau is one of the states that elections were conducted in a peaceful manner and this is largely because of the support and cooperation of the critical stakeholders and citizens of the state.

    “So, it will be good that we maintain that status quo and ensure that next Saturday’s supplementary polls is also conducted in a peaceful manner,” he urged

    NAN reports that the supplementary elections will be conducted in Shendam, Kanam, Bokkos, Mangu and Bassa local governments.

    Others include Langtang South, Pankshin, Barkin Ladi and Jos North local governments.

  • INEC declares Plateau governorship polls inclusive

    INEC declares Plateau governorship polls inclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship elections in Plateau inclusive.

    Prof. Richard Kimbir, the Returning Officer for the election in the state announced this on Monday in Jos, after collating results from the 17 local government areas of the state.

    Kimbir, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, said the total number of votes cancelled more than the difference in the number of votes the the two major candidates got, “hence was constrained to declare the polls inclusive”.

    The returning officer said Mr Simon Lalong of the All Progressive Congress (APC) scored 583, 255 votes while his closest opponent, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pulled 538, 326 votes in Saturday’s governorship elections.

    Kimbir said the total number of votes cancelled in the state is 49, 347, which is above the total difference of 44, 929 in the votes scored by the two major candidates.

    “In line with section 179, subsection two of the 1999 constitution as amended I am constrain to declare this election inclusive.

    “This is because the total number of cancelles votes is above the difference that exist in th votes pulled by the two major candidates.

    “So, in line with the electoral act, a supplementary elections will be conducted in the affected areas in 21 days, ” he declared.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LGAs were votes were cancelled include Shendam, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos and Kanam.

    Others affected include Jos North, Langtang South, Mangu and Pankshin.

  • INEC apologises over conduct of “drunk” Returning Officer in Plateau

    Mr Salihu Adamu Musa, the Independent National Electoral Commissoner (INEC) Electoral Officer in Bokkos Local Government of Plateau, on Monday apologised over the “shameful” behaviour of the Returning Officer deployed to the area.

    Musa was responding to a question raised by APC Collation Officer in Pankshin, Mr Emmanuel Bok, who sought to know why he (Musa), was declaring the results of elections for Bokkos, instead of the Returning Officer, as stipulated by law.

    Musa, in his explanation, told the party agents, observers and INEC officials that the Returning Officer, a university lecturer, was drunk on Sunday and was sacked when he could not perform his duty.

    “The Returning Officer’s attitude was appalling; he was drunk and couldn’t do anything at all.

    “I took over the job based on instructions from the INEC headquarters in Jos,” Musa explained.

    Musa apologised to the election officials on behalf of the electoral body, and promised that the situation would not repeat itself.

    Bok, who thanked Musa for the explanation, said that he had intended to reject the result because they were not presented by the officer designated to do so.

    “If not for the explanation you gave to us, I would not have accepted the results until we see the Returning Officer.

    “But, if that was what happened, then it is very unfortunate and bad for us in our journey toward deepening out democracy,” he said.

    In his reaction, Mr Mason Mahli, PDP Collation Officer in the local government, appealed to INEC to always ensure that only reputable people were recruited to assist it in such crucial assignments.

    “INEC must always look for credible persons for serious national assignments like this. Electoral duties are sacred assignments that must be handled seriously and with utter commitment,” he stated.

    Mr Jonathan Mawuyau, another APC Collation Officer and former justice commissioner in Plateau, who also reacted to the removal of the Returning Officer, regretted the “very bitter experience” elections officials had with the sacked official.

    “The officer came to the collation centre drunk. On Sunday, we waited for his arrival up to 2.00 p.m., but when he later arrived and took his seat, he started dozing off before the very eyes of everybody in the hall.

    “Shortly after, he woke up and excused us to go ease himself, but the next thing we heard was that he had driven away. He was later accosted and brought back.

    “In fact, I had to apologise on his behalf. The official was so drunk that he could not do the Job,” Mawuyau explained.

    Mrs. Joan Arabs, INEC official from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, in her response, assured the party agents, journalists and observers, who had gathered at the senatorial collation centre in Pankshin, that the mistake would not be repeated.

    “We have noted this mistake and want to assure you that we will correct it,” she said.

  • Election: Voters protest incomplete ballot boxes at polling unit

    Election: Voters protest incomplete ballot boxes at polling unit

    Voting was delayed on Saturday at the Plateau Hotel polling unit in Jos as the voters protested the non-availability of a third box at their polling unit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at 9:43 a.m., the officials were still awaiting the INEC officials to bring a third box to the polling unit.

    Some voters who spoke to NAN said that they were not happy about the delay and the incomplete ballot boxes.

    Mr Silas Ndam, a voter at the polling unit, said that the presidential box was missing and they were told to go on with the voting.

    “I saw the president voting on television this morning, and there were three boxes before him so why will they bring only two to our units,’’ said Ndam.

    Another voter, Mrs Hanatu Gimba, said that they were aware of their electoral rights and would not condone any disorganisation.

    “By reason of electoral education, we all know we are supposed to have three boxes and not two, and we made it clear to the officials that the presidential box was missing and demanded for it,’’ said Gimba.

    Deborah Isah, a voter, who said that she was at the polling unit as early as 4:00 a.m., said the delay was disheartening and uncalled for.

    Rachael Sale said that she was at the polling unit at 5:00 a.m. and had yet to see them start up the process.

    “In most polling units, they were only given two boxes and they are accepted by the voters but here we know our rights and the fact that the green box was missing,’’ said Sale.

    Yahaya Kwande, an elder statesman in Plateau, described the exercise as highly impressive and hopeful.

    Kwande said that Nigerians were now enlightened about the electoral process and enthusiastic about voting.

    “They had an issue at the polling unit but we were able to sort it out without violence and that is a huge progress,’’ said Kwande.

    NAN reports that the green box was later brought in at about 10:00 a.m. and the people queued up orderly to vote for their candidates.

  • Lassa fever kills four in Plateau

    Four people have died of Lassa fever in Plateau State.

    The state commissioner of health, Kunde Deyin, confirmed the deaths on Thursday.

    The incident is coming barely one week after the Nigerian Army announced the death of a soldier in Plateau from the disease.

    The deaths also come two days after the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control announced a Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

    While confirming the Plateau deaths, Mr Deyin also said 16 people tested positive of the disease. He said the 16 are currently receiving treatment at Bingham Teaching Hospital Jos (Jankwano) and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

  • Gunmen launch fresh attack in Plateau, kill four

    The Plateau State Police command on Monday confirmed that four people were killed in another round of attack in Nding village of Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

    Typev Terna, the police spokesperson who confirmed the incident also said two people were critically injured and are currently receiving treatment at the Barikin Ladi General Hospital.

    The incident is coming six days after five people were killed in Rawuru village of Fan District of Barikin LGA of the state.

    “On 30/12/2018 at about 1815hrs, the Plateau State Police Command, Jos received a distress call from SAMSON BITRUS of Gwom Nding Village that on the same date, at about 1800hrs, some unknown gunmen attacked a Peugeot 504 Station Wagon on the way to Nding Village.

    “The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Austin I Agbonlahor, having received the information, immediately assembled a team that raced to the scene of crime but discovered on arrival that the attackers had left the scene of crime.

    “On the scene of crime, three persons were seen motionless and they were immediately taken to the Barkin Ladi General Hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Three injured persons were also taken to the Hospital.

    “Out of the three persons that were injured, one of them died while receiving treatment. The remaining two persons in the hospital are responding to treatment.

    “Citizens are advised to go about their lawful businesses and volunteer information that could lead to the timely arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act to face the full weight of the law, ” the police added.

    The attack occurred despite police deploying over 2,000 officers to maintain peace in the state, during the Christmas and New Year season.

    Barkin Ladi is one of the communities in Plateau State that has suffered from repeated violence, often between herders and farming communities. The violence sometimes, takes ethnic and religious forms.

     

  • Unidentified gunmen kill four passengers, injure two in Plateau

    Unidentified gunmen in Plateau attacked and killed four persons in Nding community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

    DSP Terna Tyopev, the Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO), in the state Police Command confirmed the incident to the News of Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos.

    Tyopev said the ugly incident occurred Sunday evening, adding that the villagers were attacked while returning to the village in a Peugeot 504 station wagon.

    “Yesterday, at about 6: 15 p.m, we received a distress call from one Mr Samson Bitrus of Gwom Nding Village that at about 6 p.m. of the same day, some unknown gunmen attacked a Peugeot 504 Station Wagon on the way to the village.

    “On receipt of the information, Mr Austin Agbonlahor, the Commissioner of Police in the state immediately assembled a team that went to the scene of crime but discovered on arrival that the attackers had left already.

    “The team discovered that three persons were seen motionless and they were immediately taken to the Barkin Ladi General Hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

    “Of the three injured persons taken to the hospital, one later died while the remaining two are still receiving treatment,” he said

    The PPRO said the command had commenced investigation on the matter and called on citizens with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to urgently avail it to the police.

    He advised residents of the state to be law abiding as they go about their lawful businesses

    NAN

  • Gunmen kill five, injure two others returning from birthday party in Plateau

    There was pandemonium again in Plateau State on Wednesday (Boxing Day) as gunmen descended on some people returning from a birthday party.

    Police confirmed that at least five people were, while two others were injured.

    The attack occurred in Rawuru village of Fan District in Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau STate

    Two other people were injured in the attack said to be targeted at people returning from a party at about 9 p.m.

    The Plateau police spokesperson, Tyopev Terna, said the victims were attacked while returning from a birthday party in Pugu Village.

    “On the 27/12/2018 at about 0800hrs the Plateau State Police Command received information from Kim Timothy, the Youth Leader of Rawuru Village, Fan District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    “That on the 26/12/2018 at about 2115hrs some unknown gunmen attacked some people when they were returning from a birthday party from Pugu Village.

    “As a result of the attack, five people were killed and two were injured,” the spokesperson said.

    He said the dead have been buried while the two injured are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi. The police also pledged to investigate the incident and apprehend the culprits.

    Barkin Ladi is one of the communities in Plateau State that have suffered from repeated violence often between herders and farming communities. The violence sometimes takes ethnic and religious forms.

    The attack occurred despite the police in Plateau deploying over 2,000 officers to maintain peace in the state during the Christmas season

    Announcing the deployment before Christmas, Terna said patrol vehicles had been stationed at strategic locations to respond to distress calls without delay.

    “We want to assure residents of Plateau State that we have put in place comprehensive security strategies to prevent crime before, during and after Christmas.

    “As such, a total of 2046 police personnel have been carefully selected, trained and deployed to protect lives and property of citizens.

    “Also, we have professionally position patrol vehicles in strategic areas to respond promptly to distress calls from members of society,” he said.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler in Plateau

    Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped Mr. David Dongbam, a second class traditional ruler of Dorock Kingdom in Shandam Local Government Area of Plateau State, the Police have said.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Terna Tyopev, who stated this on Tuesday, said that Dongbam was abducted at his residence in Shandam on Monday night.

    “Yesterday, at about 10pm, we received information that unknown gunmen stormed the residence of the Longdorock, Mr David Dongbam, a second-class chief of Dorock Kingdom of Shandam LGA and took him to unknown destination.

    “On receipt of the information, we immediately formed a search-and-rescue team which is working assiduously to rescue the traditional ruler unhurt,” Tyopev told News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

    The PPRO said the command would update members of the public on developments on the issue, adding that efforts were on to rescue the monarch.