On behalf of the Executive council, Legislative Arm, traditional council, staff and indeed the entire good and hospitable people of Pankshin local government area, I Hon Sir John Danladi Damap (ksm), the Executive chairman of Pankshin local government council, congratulate our dear Governor, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong, the Executive Governor of Plateau state and Chairman Northern states Governors forum over his well-deserved victory at the Plateau state governorship election petition tribunal which upheld his election.
To us in Pankshin local government area, we are proud to say, Governor Lalong’s resounding victory during the general elections was a clear endorsement of his leadership qualities envinced in his commitment towards the development of Plateau state.
Also his victory at the tribunal was a true reflection of the wishes of the people of the state, as expressed in the march 23rd governorship election , we are of the great belief that the judgement has proven Plateau people voted massively and stood by the Lalong’s Administration and the All Progressives Congress in this journey to the rebirth of a stronger and more united Plateau.
May I also congratulate the Nigerian Judiciary for living up to expectations by doing the right thing. With this judgement, a precedent has been set for electoral matters in the Country.
Once again, congratulations, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong.
Congratulations, All Progressives Congress.
Congratulations good people of Plateau state.
Sign
Hon Sir John Danladi Damap (ksm)
Executive Chairman
Pankshin Lgc.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  requested for a fresh amended charges on the allegation of Money laundering and diversion of public funds by  former Governor Jonah David Jang and Honourable Justice Daniel Longji has reserved ruling  for that to Friday 11th October, 2019.

The counsel to the 1st defendant ,Sen. Jonah David Jang ,Barr. Edward Pwajok ,SAN, confirmed the services to his client by the EFCC ,Rotimi Jacobs dated 30-09-2019 ,saying we have on behalf of the first defendant responded by filing a motion on notice dated 08-10-2019 and filed on the 09-10-2019 .

My Lord the application seeking to quash some of the amended charge ,we have that motion better on the presentation responded ,I submitted that we are bringing this application in time ahead of issue that might likely script in .

According to him ,the reasons for pushing this fresh application for paragraph 13,14,15,16 &17 ,18 are not in law violation of the federal government section 36 of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended .

He explained further that ,I only  bring an applications which is ready on the last adjourn date fresh charge was brought by the by EFCC

Apply to quash some changes within the amended charge served the motion on the Petitioners and 2nd defendant submits that without going to the merit of the application…

Objection to the sections of the charges are paragraph 18 are not within the law and are against section 36 of the Constitution

Petitioners said they have an addendum, attention of Lordships drawn to amended charge and Defendant confirmed.

We have been served with the amended charge and the matter was adjourned to deliberate on the amended charge.

The objection was on grounds of certain charges that are against the Constitution, pray to go through the application because it was just served yesterday; surprisingly the counsel to the 1st defendant application cannot be possible or be entertained under sections 236, of administrative of criminal justice, section 221 of plateau State criminal justice.

Justice Daniel Longji drew his attention to the Supreme Court ruling that once an application has been placed it must be heard or determined.

EFCC counsel said they are ready to respond orally despite been served yesterday.

Odey in his response said have been served this morning by 8:49am and have not gone through the application to determine the content. .. The judge overruled him.

Odey insisted that they are not ready for the application.

Pwajok, drew section 36(12) of Constitution and the inherent decision of the jurisdiction.

Order of court to 13,14,16,27 of the amended charge are defective and capable of embarrassing the 1st defendant with an affidavit of 8 paragraph and annexed filed written address of  3 issues, for

Paragraph 3:0 sum the issue together, citing section 36, and raised in that, count 13,14,15,16

Transfer by approving.

Sec 32(5)

Challenge the counts brought i n by the EFCC said they are misleading and tantamount to prejudicing the court process Ibrahim against the state,2015, 11 .

Don’t file any counters affidavit to there application and it is presumed there application has come to stand and that they failed to file any written address and it means that the their own written address is a waver to the own written address..

Sec 236 as earlier state.

To allow the amended charge to scale through, it will amount to breech of the Constitution 36(12).

They are seeking to subject the accuse person to an unknown offence.

On an event of uncertainty of law, Constitution takes charge.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum sends his warm felicitations to the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu on his 60th birthday.
Governor Lalong in a birthday message rejoices with the Secretary to the Government for his achievements and contributions to the development of Plateau State and the nation as a whole, describing him as a silent achiever.
In the statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Lalong urges him to continue to exhibit diligence, excellence, accountability and patriotism in all his dealings.
The Governor charges him to use his current office to promote robust governance in Plateau State towards achieving the vision of the Second Phase of the Rescue Administration as encapsulated in the three point policy thrust of peace security and good governance; infrastructural development and economic rebirth.
Lalong wishes him good health, God’s blessings and prosperity.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
10th October 2019

The Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated the Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba on the occasion of his 68th birthday.
The Governor in a message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Simon Macham described the Royal Father as man of honour and character who has continued to serve as a unifying factor for the people of Plateau State and the nation at large.
While wishing him well in the years ahead, Governor Simon Lalong urged him to continue to offer his fatherly counsel towards sustaining the peace and tranquillity being consolidated in the State.
Lalong used the occasion to appreciate his leadership of the traditional council in the State which he said has given the Government the needed support and cooperation among the citizens.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
10th October 2019

The National President Mupun Cultural And Development Association MUCDA,on behalf of the Mupun Traditional Council and entire mupun sons and daughters congratulate our illustrious daughter,Dr.Mrs Regina Boniface Soemlat on her appointment and subsequent swearing in as Hon Commissioner For Finance Plateau State by His Excellency The Executive Governor Of Plateau State,Rt Hon Dr.Simon Bako Lalong.

The Mupun Nation no doubt celebrates its daughter recognizing her long service of dedication, sincerity and belief in the Plateau project which has earned her the trust of Mr Governor and Plateau people hence her reappointment into the Plateau State executive council.

We are optimistic of another great round of service which you will offer for the overall development of the state.

Your rising through the ranks to the pinnacle of service was a smooth ride which has endeared you among colleagues and others you have come across. This is typical of the Mupun spirit of uncommon dedication wherever we find ourselves.

The Mupun Nation stands with you in prayers as always Dr. Mrs Regina Boniface Soemlat, the Hon Commissioner For Finance Plateau State so that the confidence reposed on you with this enormous responsibility will come to bare on our dear state.

We pray that God keeps guiding you through the path until you deliver that which is expected of you.

Congratulations once again.

Signed
Chief Pedro Ardiyel Dafur,FCA
National President
Mupun Cultural And Development Association (MUCDA)

He who stands by the truth will surely get justice no matter how long it takes.
He who stands by his people will never be put to shame.
Congratulations Hon. Joshua Laven Ubandoma on your swearing in today as the Executive Chairman Langtang North Local Government Council by his Excellency the Executive Governor of Plateau State Barr. Simon Bako Lalong.
Victory atlast for PDP and kudos to the Executive Governor for upholding the rule of law.
Isah Adamu Abdullahi
9th October, 2019

The recent tribunal judgment affirming the election of Simon Lalong as Governor, Plateau State was a “mere setback,” not end to the case, Plateau North Senator, Istifanus Gyang said, Thursday.

The judgment which struck out the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party and its gubernatorial candidate, Jeremiah Useni will be challenged at the Appeal Court, Gyang said.

“The outcome of the tribunal to us is just the first stage and we are glad in the State and National Assembly that having conferred with the legal team, you have resolved that this mandate cannot be aborted at this stage,” the Senator told the Mr. Useni in Jos, the Capital of Plateau State.

Senator Gyang with State and Federal Lawmakers, others during solidarity visit to Sen. JT Useni

Gyang who led eight other State and Federal lawmakers on a solidarity visit to the gubernatorial candidate vowed to join in fighting to recover the “stolen mandate” of the PDP.

“We want to as members of the State and National Assembly assure you Sir, that we are fully with you because this mandate is our collective mandate, this mandate is our collective effort, this mandate was freely given and we will pursue it through the judicial process, through the legal process,” Gyang said.

Useni according to the Senator has proved integrity and capacity to provide widely beneficial leadership to the State but was prevented by the tribunal after being voted in March 2019.

He said, “You have served this nation in many different capacities.

“In none of these capacities were you found wanting.

“At a point in time you were to be the Head of State of Nigeria but God has his ways.

“You have invested your time, your talent and your resources for the good of humanity.

“The philanthropy that you have exhibited over the years is something that is very exemplary.

“Your coming into the Governorship race of Plateau State after serving very glowingly was an opportunity for the glory of this state to be restored.

“And when the people of this State overwhelmingly gave you that mandate, our hope was that the Nigerian judiciary will rise to the constitutional capacity that has been endowed on them so that they will give the people of Plateau State an opportunity to have a lease, that will give Plateau State an opportunity to have the leadership that will bring about true restoration, true reconciliation and lasting peace to the state.”

The PDP Gubernatorial flag bearer, Jeremiah Useni said he was sure of victory at the higher courts.

“I am not shaken by what has happened.

“We have not been defeated. We will pass,” said the ex Senator.

Jeremiah Useni had approached the tribunal challenging the election of Mr Lalong in the March 9, 2019 governorship poll.

The Elections Petitions Tribunal in Jos on Wednesday affirmed the election of Governor Simon Lalong.

A panel of three justices led by Justice Halima Salami, held that the petitioners did not adequately prove their case.

Plenary at the Plateau State House of Assembly was on Wednesday disrupted and the house adjourned unceremoniously to avoid violence clash among members.

Crisis started when the speaker of the house read out a memo sent to the house by the state governor Simon Lalong. The governor was requesting the house to approve the appointment of new Management Committee in four local governments.

The house immediately became divided as soon as the executive memo was presented as the Majority APC members and Minority PDP Members could not agree on the request of the governor.

It was gathered that the PDP members opposed the decision of the Governor based on 1999 Constitution Section 7, subsection (1) and (2) of the Constitution which allows for the Democratic elected LG chairmen at LGA level.

All the PDP members opposed the submission the said request by the Governor describing it as illegal move to deny the rural populace of leader of their choice. They also described it as a rape on Democracy.

The Speaker, Rt.Hon. Ayuba Abok and all the APC members insisted the house must endorse the executive memo. The next action that followed was that the PDP members in the house staged a walkout of the Chambers in Protest.

Minority leader of the House and Member Representing c Constituency Hon. Peter Gyendeng accompany by all the PDP members while briefing Journalists at the Assembly Complex said the action of their colleagues in approving the appointment of the APC Candidates is not only illegal, but undemocratic and full-blown c gearing towards disfranchising the people by denying them the right and liberty to chose their representatives.

“We the PDP members want to make it clear that anything short of the rule of law and due process from the APC led government in this regard will not only be vehemently rejected but will be fought to a standstill.

However, the Plateau State Chapter of the People’s Democratic party,(PDP) in a Press Statement signed by it’s Public Relations Officer Hon. John Akans said the undemocratic and act of illegality and injustice will be resistance by the people of Plateau state.

“As a party that believes in the rule of law and also that represents the interest and mandates of majority votes on the plateau, we are on this note sending a very strong words of caution to plateau state independent electoral commission (PLASIEC), APC and the state government that any undemocratic act of illegality and injustice will face appropriate resistance from the people of plateau state.

“This illegal act will no longer be tolerated by the people, as they have had enough of this oppression by ungodly minds which are filled with ungodly values by an architect of injustice in leadership position.

In spite of the protest by the opposition party, the appointment management committee were later sworn in at the Banquet Hall of government house Rayfield Jos by Gov Lalong.

Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong , on tuesday  swore in  four  Local  Government Management Committee chairmen .

Lalong while swearing the chairmen at Government House  little Rayfield Jos  ,said “We are assembled here today for the swearing in of the Management Committee Chairmen for four Local Government Areas namely; Barkin Ladi, Jos North, Jos South, and Riyom as well as that of the elected Chairman of Lantang North. “

“In  fulfilment of our administration’s promise to reposition the Local Government system in the State and ensure that the people experience good governance, we supported the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to conduct elections into Local Government offices on Wednesday 10th October 2019, which were conducted successfully.”

“However, the elections could not hold in Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas at that time due to some serious security challenges. “

“This situation therefore necessitated the setting up of Management Committees to run the affairs of the Local Government areas, pending the improvement of security for elections to hold in these places.”

“With the security situation improving, and as a good measure in the interest of the people, Government is working hard to ensure that elections are conducted in the affected Local Governments areas.”

“While this is being done, we have reconstituted the Management Committees in line with the provisions of the law and in a bid to ensure smooth governance in those areas.”

Lalong further said “As for Lantang North Local Government, the elected Chairman could not be sworn in because of a subsisting court order. As a law abiding government, we could not have gone against a lawful order of the court to swear him in.”

“However, with the discontinuation of the suit by the petitioner, we no longer have any constraint inhibiting us from swearing in the declared winner of the election.”

“For the appointed Chairmen as well as the elected, remember that you are to hold these offices in trust and to deliver good governance to the people of your Local Governments with the fear of God.  “

“You are also coming at a critical time this administration took off for the second and final tenure, where it is determined to deliver on its promises and leave a lasting legacy. “

“You must be part of this success and work in nexus with the State Government as your other counterparts are doing. “

“Also bear in mind that your activities will be closely monitored to ensure that it conforms to the three policy thrust of our administration, which borders on Peace, Security and Good Governance; Physical Infrastructural Development; and Sustainable Economic Rebirth. “

He further said ” I  therefore urge you to carry out your assignments with the highest sense of responsibility and not to compromise your positions for personal gains because you will be held accountable for your actions. “

“Let me reiterate that we have worked so hard to restore peace on the Plateau. You should not engage in any conduct that divides the people or creates tension in the state or breach the peace.”

“As a panacea in promoting Community Policing, peaceful and harmonious co-existence, you should work in synergy with the Traditional Rulers, the Youth and Women as well as other Community leaders. “

“We are not unmindful of the unfortunate manipulations and unwarranted attacks by those who have been trying to exploit the issue of the conduct of elections in these Local Government Areas for political relevance and selfish interests.”

“Let me reassure the good people of Plateau State that our administration is sensitive to the yearnings of the people. As a Constitutional responsibility, we will always put the security and safety of lives and properties of the people above any other consideration.”

“I wish to appreciate traditional, community, religious and political leaders particularly members of our Party, the APC as well as other parties for their maturity and support in building and sustaining peace in these Local Government Areas. “

“Please ensure the template is sustained which will make it possible to hold elections in the nearest future as there is an on-going dialogue with stakeholders aimed at solidifying mutual coexistence that is necessary for development. “

The DG PICTDA on stage with great
personalities within and out of Africa at Dubai World Trade Centre at the event of the African Investment Forum (AIF) of the 39th GITEX technology week 2019, to discuss in a panel on various issues relating to Investment in Africa with focus on;

1. How Continental FDI defies global economic uncertainty with an increase of 11% cited from the UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2019
2. Our plan on how we intend to Expand on initiatives such as the World Bank’s ‘Human Capital Plan’
3. The management of youth unemployment in Africa
4. How to encourage investment towards African entrepreneurs and not expatriate-founded businesses

The Panel would be preceded by a lecture from  Dr. Christoph who is the Director, Green Belt & Road Initiative , Sr Research Fellow, CUFE  on “China the Green Belt Road initiative with its impact on China.”

The African Investment Forum this year promises to have a deeper dive into not just issues relating to Africa as a macro entity but also on attempts by micro regions with not just Africa as a continent or Nigeria as a country but Plateau State as an entity. Nigeria is a reflection of African as much as Plateau state a Nigerian reflection. There are loads of indicators or parameters in economic planning that usually fall out of the control of a single entity which implies most times that in the preparation of strategic plans on economic development, one must take a global look at everything that we do not have control of.

The strategic plan of the Rescue Administration captained by His Excellency Governor Simon Bako Lalong aptly captured these global indicators and to me a good book that should be read by everyone once it hits the public domain.