After a long period of inactivity, the stage is set for the reactivation of democracy at the grassroots level in Plateau State with the scheduled local government elections in the state.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

The forthcoming local government elections in Plateau State have excited many politically inclined stalwarts. But beyond the euphoria of power and democracy distilling to the people at the grassroots, is the lasting legacy it would impact on the short and long term in the state. To wit, how the elections would impact on life after Governor Jonah Jang.

The council polls are coming in the second half of the second and last term of the Jang era.
Given the fact that the new set of council officials would be in office at the time of the 2015 governorship election, it is not surprising that many political stakeholders with an eye on sustaining relevance after Jang are looking forward to the council polls with much seriousness.

Jang is himself not oblivious, and according to sources, is also putting himself where he can to sustain his relevance through pushing forward a tolerable successor.

The mantra on the Plateau, however, is that anyone with interest in taking over Mr. Jang’s job in 2015 must be discreet at least for now. It is thus no surprise that quite unlike many other states with second term governors in place, that nearly all those with gubernatorial ambitions are doing everything to keep it under wraps, at least from

Mr. Jang. The fear of Governor Jang it is claimed is the beginning of wisdom.
Even though his physical and verbal expressions should ordinarily not portend any fear, the political dynamics in favour of the outgoing governor have placed him in position to make a great input into who becomes his successor.

The most notable factor is his closeness to the presidency and the PDP mainstream in Abuja, a fact conveyed by his appointment as chairman of the rival Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF.

So far, the governor has not openly identified himself with any one of the political stakeholders coming forward. What is, however, known is that some of those who were early to show indication have not been seriously considered by Mr. Jang.

Gov Jonah Jang of Plateau State

Among those who have been alleged to show interest are the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Shedrack Best, the chairman of the state chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Haruna Dabin, a former governor of the state in the third republic, Mr. Fidelis Tapgun and two of the state’s serving senators, Senator Victor Lar and Senator Gyang Pwjok. Damishi Sango, the former minister of sports is also said to be oiling his wheels for a possible contest.

Following his brushes with Mrs. Paullen Tallen, his erstwhile deputy in his first term, Governor Jang it was alleged, pledged that he would only work with an elderly deputy; to wit, one that would not distract the course of governance with a gubernatorial ambition.

It was no surprise that he chose the elderly retired diplomat, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, his then elderly chief of staff to replace the very active Mrs. Tallen.

Though it had been largely speculated that Ambassador Longjan who is believed to be near 70 would be too old to contend for the governorship in 2015, speculations are abuzz on the Plateau that the deputy governor could well be interested. However, being a shrewd diplomat, multiple sources say that he like the others in contention continue to keep whatever aspirations they have under wraps.

Among the factors likely to shape the contest for Mr. Jang’s job is the matter of rotation. Governor Jang is from Plateau North Senatorial Zone and with him in office for eight years, all three senatorial districts have had a bite at the office.

It is as such not surprising that Beroms who form the most populous ethnic group in the state, but do not have a majority, are clamouring that the next governor of the state could well be another Berom man like Jang from Plateau North.

The basis of such suggestion is that all zones have had a turn and that the zones should start afresh. This thinking is also being pushed by the assertion that zoning has almost always been observed in the breach as all the zones have in all times contested for the office at every election cycle.

It is a kite that is being flown by supporters of Senator Pwjok and other Berom enthusiasts. Some stakeholders in the state say that the governor could also be disposed to that thinking given the historic suspicion and rivalry between the Beroms in Plateau North and some other major ethnic groups like the Langtang in Plateau South.

“I don’t see any permutation that will make Jang to cede power to the Langtang people, who have a great dislike for the Berom people,” a source revealed.

If Jang is forced to look towards Plateau South for a successor some within the power circle in Jos are suggesting the deputy governor. However, if the governor decides on a younger element as he had earlier suggested, he could look towards the younger elements among the henchmen in the cabinet such as the commissioner for information Yiljap Abraham also from Plateau South.

Mr. Tapgun who governed the state between 1992 and 1993 is also said to be interested but no one is really giving him a chance, and certainly not Governor Jang.

Contenders from Plateau Central include the party chairman, Haruna Dabin and the SSG, Prof. Best. Both men, however, have so far not mobilized enough political enthusiasm for their quest. Best from Mangu local government area, is also seriously entangled by domestic politics at home allegedly arising from his efforts in pulling his weight at home. His problems are compounded by the fact that his ward is dominated by the Hausa ethnic stock, a development that makes it difficult for him to deliver his ward in local elections.

Other contenders from the region are Professor Soni Tyoben, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Mr. Hezekiah Dimka, a former commissioner of Police and Hon. Emmanuel Gora, former speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly.

The contenders from Plateau South include the deputy governor, Senator Lar, Tapgun, Hon. George Daika, a former Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, Prof. Longmas Watmuk, the current Director General of the Industrial Training Fund and Arc. John Alkali, a retired director in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Another factor likely to weigh in determining the next governor it was learnt is the religious factor. Though Plateau is dominated by Christians, even among the Christians, the underlying division between the evangelicals and Roman Catholics is also evident.

One of the reasons said to have negatively affected Mrs. Tallen in the 2007 gubernatorial election is the fact that she is a Roman Catholic. Roman Catholics dominate just about three local government areas in the state.