Governor Jang’s ex-aide eyes vacant senate seat print
Published on August 20, 2012 by · 1 Comment

Mr Gyang Pwajok, the Plateau Government’s Chief of Staff, who resigned last week, is to contest the Plateau North senatorial by-elections to replace the late Senator Gyang Dantong.

“Yes, I am in the race for the Senate seat and I am confident of picking the PDP ticket and securing victory in the election by God’s grace,’’ Pwajok said today in Jos.

INEC has tentatively fixed 15 September for the bye-election to replace Dantong, who died in a stampede after gunmen attacked mourners in Maseh, a village in Riyom Local Government.

Pwajok said that he accepted to contest for the Senate after much pressure from stakeholders and the constituents who adjudged him most suited for the job.

“I was just doing my work dutifully as Chief of Staff , but my people felt I should take up greater responsibilities; in fact, my principal (Gov Jonah Jang), accepted my decision to quit very reluctantly.

“I had to bow to the pressure because I was equally convinced that Plateau North senatorial district was in dire need of quality representation in view of its current security challenges,’’ he added.

Pwajok, a former political science lecturer with the University of Jos, said that he also viewed the people’s wish as a clarion call for further service because he believed that the Senate was a platform where issues bordering on state/federal relations could be tackled.

“There has been some deep misunderstanding of the Plateau situation at the national level and I intend to work toward a better understanding and appreciation of the situation so as to shore up the image of Plateau before federal authorities.’’

Pwajok also promised to draw the attention of the federal authorities to the massive ecological devastation suffered by his constituents following several decades of mining activities, adding that he would work toward reparations that would address the damages.

On reports that Jang had not been fair to some sections of the society, Pwajok said that nothing could be farther from the truth.

“I have been inside, so I should know; most of such criticisms come from political rivals with mind sets, who would not see anything in whatever Jang does. They play up areas they feel are bad, but will never tell you the numerous achievements that are physically there for anyone to see.’’

He noted that Jang had governed two states – former Gongola, which is predominantly Muslim, and former Benue, which is predominantly Christian, but did very well and was never accused of being unfair to any section because that had never been part of him.

On his chances in the race, 47-year-old Pwajok said he was very optimistic as he was bringing “fresh ideas, new perspectives and an appeal to his constituency, the younger generation’’.

Mr Gyang Pwajok, the Plateau Government’s Chief of Staff, who resigned last week, is to contest the Plateau North senatorial by-elections to replace the late Sen. Gyang Dantong.

“Yes, I am in the race for the Senate seat and I am confident of picking the PDP ticket and securing victory in the election by God’s grace,’’ Pwajok told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Monday .

INEC has tentatively fixed Sept. 15 for the bye-election to replace Dantong, who died in a stampede after gunmen attacked mourners in Maseh, a village in Riyom Local Government.

Pwajok said that he accepted to contest for the Senate after much pressure from stakeholders and the constituents who adjudged him most suited for the job.

“I was just doing my work dutifully as Chief of Staff , but my people felt I should take up greater responsibilities; in fact, my principal (Gov Jonah Jang), accepted my decision to quit very reluctantly.

“I had to bow to the pressure because I was equally convinced that Plateau North senatorial district was in dire need of quality representation in view of its current security challenges,’’ he added.

Pwajok, a former political science lecturer with the University of Jos, said that he also viewed the people’s wish as a clarion call for further service because he believed that the Senate was a platform where issues bordering on state/federal relations could be tackled.

“There has been some deep misunderstanding of the Plateau situation at the national level and I intend to work toward a better understanding and appreciation of the situation so as to shore up the image of Plateau before federal authorities.’’

Pwajok also promised to draw the attention of the federal authorities to the massive ecological devastation suffered by his constituents following several decades of mining activities, adding that he would work toward reparations that would address the damages.

“There are several ponds scattered round Plateau North; apart from the loss of farmlands, there is the radioactive effects my constituents have continued to live with. They sure deserve some compensation and a better deal.’’

While lamenting the colossal destruction following years of bloodbath in Plateau north, the aspirant promised to liaise with stakeholders to initiate a policy of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation to heal wounds, restore mutual confidence and resuscitate development.

“My belief is that we cannot negotiate peace for the people. We must negotiate with them by first seeking and resolving what went wrong in the first place. That way, everyone would be made an active participant in the quest for harmony.’’

He pointed out that the scope of physical damage over the years had gone beyond the capacity of the state to handle alone, and promised to seek more federal attention toward rebuilding Plateau and putting it on the path to greatness once more.

Pwajok also promised to mobilise his constituents to fully support government policies, and lamented the opposition to Plateau policies by even people, who were supposed to be the main beneficiaries.

On reports that Jang had not been fair to some sections of the society, Pwajok said that nothing could be farther from the truth.

“I have been inside, so I should know; most of such criticisms come from political rivals with mind sets, who would not see anything in whatever Jang does. They play up areas they feel are bad, but will never tell you the numerous achievements that are physically there for anyone to see.’’

He noted that Jang had governed two states – former Gongola, which is predominantly Muslim, and former Benue, which is predominantly Christian, but did very well and was never accused of being unfair to any section because that had never been part of him.

On his chances in the race, 47-year-old Pwajok said he was very optimistic as he was bringing “fresh ideas, new perspectives and an appeal to his constituency, the younger generation’’.
You may also like -

ACN passes confidence vote on Senator Akume
Fashola Demands Refund Of N16b Illegal Deductions By FG
Airtel Partners GYADI On Youth Empowerment
Showers Of Encomiums On Tinubu At 60

print

Share:
Posted by 1 day, 8 hours ago on August 20, 2012, 11:57 am. Filed under National, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
1 Comment for “Governor Jang’s ex-aide eyes vacant senate seat”

wilfred
August 20, 2012 - 1:28 pm

This Jang is hopelessly partial. how can he give the Sanatorial Seat to a man from his village, he is from DUN the Paramount Traditional Ruler is from Dun and now the Senate Seat is going to Dun, Haba Gov Jang.Equity demands that the poeple of the Senatorial distrct where the late SENATOR come from should have filled the seat and complete the tenor of the late Senator. This is the major problem
why there appear to be an unending problem in the Plateau because of his stuborn
altitude.