Healing wounds for peace, progress in Plateau
Before the emergence of Dr. Nentawe Yiltwada as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, other eminent contestants were also in the race for Little Rayfield. Most of them are from the Central Zone of the state which is generally believed to be the zone to produce the governor of […]
Before the emergence of Dr. Nentawe Yiltwada as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, other eminent contestants were also in the race for Little Rayfield. Most of them are from the Central Zone of the state which is generally believed to be the zone to produce the governor of the state. This rotation as agreed by politicians is to give some semblance of equity as politicians jostle for political offices. Therefore, right now, it turns out to favour the Central Zone of the state which comprises Mangu, Bokkos, Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam.
This understanding which is irrespective of political party seems to be binding on all, in the state. So far, this arrangement has been generally upheld except in 2015 when the then governor of the state, Da Jonah Jang, failed in his attempt to disregard it. It was vehemently resisted by the electorate with the trumping of the then governor’s candidate and this has taught politicians in the state a valuable lesson.
The outcome of the APC governorship primary which produced Dr. Yilwatda did not come without resentment from some contestants who lost out. Some aspirants staged a walkout as the event got underway, alleging a skewed process in favour of the eventual winner. Little wonder that when the result eventually came out, aggrieved aspirants believed that the winner, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda was a government-backed candidate. Even the deputy governor who was a co-aspirant staged a walkout.
My position on the matter is not intended to stir further debate or conversation since the primary has come and gone but to steer a course of action towards healing the wounds for a peaceful, progressive Plateau State. The task before all the former aspirants is to move on. They should be able to chart the path of reconciliation if the party is to capture and retain power in the state. Though, the task before them is herculean, they cannot afford to go to the polls with a divided house.
Even if the governor had an interest in who emerged as the party’s standard-bearer, it is only human that one should be interested in one’s successor for the sake of continuity.
Some have gone on to argue that former governor Jang attempted to impose a successor but was resisted. True, but the scenarios are different. Jang did not respect the zoning formula of the state. He brought someone eminently qualified but that was against the sentiment then because the person he brought came from his clan. This was the crux of the matter and Plateau resisted it. If he had brought someone from the Southern zone in accordance with the principle of rotation, the story would have been different.
The primary election which was held peacefully merely produced what I call “first among equals”. All the aspirants as l mentioned earlier are eminently qualified to govern the state. However, what worked in favour of Dr. Nentawe was that he had won the hearts of many in the state with impeccable achievements. He had everything working for him. His accomplishments at an early age placed him head and shoulders above many of his peers and accorded him the recognition he now enjoys.
I have interacted with many people and l have not seen or heard anything untoward about his character. Even if there is any, not being infallible as anyone else, it is apparently not enough to make anyone lose sleep.
The central message here is that the whole APC family should rally round the winner and ensure victory at the polls. Plateau is a unique state and we must remember that a house divided against itself will not stand. It will be in the interest of all APC members to sheathe their swords and work for victory. With due respect to the former aspirants, it is good to show grace in defeat while the winner shows magnanimity in victory.
The act of magnanimity will start the process of healing. It entails meeting all co-aspirants, and discussing how to move the party forward for the purpose of winning the next election.
Stephen Kwande lives in Abuja