BY AKANINYENE EZEKIEL

FOLLOWING  the sudden death of Senator Gyang Dantong, who represented Plateau North Senatorial District in the Senate, various political parties  have  been engaging in high power intrigues in their bid  to occupy the vacant  seat.

Accordingly, major  parties in the state are particularly divided over the choice of candidate to represent them  at the forthcoming bye-election.

As part of the build up to the polls, the Labour Party (LP) reportedly held its primaries in the absence of party bigwigs, while  the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has a sole candidate. Also, the  Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) are yet to present a candidate.

However, before now many had argued that  someone from Dantong’s  Riyom Local Government Area should be allowed to  occupy the seat, while some suggested that another Berom man should get the seat in order to complete the tenure of the late lawmaker.

Qualified party member
There were also some, who believed that any qualified party member should be allowed to contest the seat. Instructively, Plateau North Senatorial zone comprises of Jos North, Jos South, Jos East, Bassa, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom.

Instructively, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom are predominantly Berom communities, while Jos East is the home of the Afizeres. In addition, Bassa is a combination of various tribes while Jos North is the municipal with diverse tribes.

PDP anointed candidate: Nonetheless, the PDP appears disposed to the candidacy of Gyang Pwajok, the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor  Jonah Jang.

Pwajok, who is a Berom seems more favoured than another contender, Mr. Yakubu Pam Jack, who contested the seat with the late Datong in 2011.

In what appeared like a confirmation of speculations that he is the annointed candidate of the PDP, Pwajok recently resigned his appointment as Chief of Staff. While giving reasons for his resignation, he said, ”it is because of the pressure from my people to occupy the seat.”

Senator Dantong Gyang killed by Fulani Herdsmen in Jos

For now,  Pwajok appears to be his party’s  sole candidate, given that he reportedly submitted his form before the PDP’s deadline. Also , the former  Cheif of Staff has reportedly opened his campaign office, making observers to describe him as the most serious candidate.

Jack, another Berom man from Barkin Ladi on the other hand is yet to submit his form even as his posters are seen in some parts of the zone with ANPP logo.

Why I’m running – Jack
Speaking on the development, Jack who disassociated himself from the ANPP posters carrying his photograph declared his intention to contest on the platform of the PDP.

He maintained that the posters were the work of mischief makers as he had left ANPP and returned to PDP a year ago and based on the PDP constitution he was qualified to contest elections on the platform of  the party even though he was aware that a candidate had been endorsed by the leadership of the party in the state.

His words: “I have a passion for PDP. I am not like  many opportunists who are taking advantage of the unfortunate incident that occurred in the State,” adding that he returned to the party in July last year with the hope of contesting election in 2015.

Notwithstanding the insinuations that the date for submission of nomination form had expired despite the fact that only one candidate had submitted the form, he hopes to get his form as “the leadership of Bamanga Tukur believes in equity and it is solely the responsibility of the national PDP to conduct election in the party”.

For the Labour Party, it is obvious that all is not well with the party because as at Tuesday, a seeming kangaroo primary was conducted and Chief Danladi Atu from Jos East emerged as the candidate for the party. Delegates unanimously voted him.

The returning officer ,Yusuf Majau, who announced the result stated that Danladi Atu emerged winner with 108 votes while Lumuba Dah Adeh got no vote.

Backbone of the party
However, the said primary which had the backbone of the Party in the persons of former Deputy Governor of the State, Dame Pauline Tallen, Senator Joshua Dariye though both are from Southern and Central zones respectively as well as the two contenders absent was said have been cancelled though it could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report.

The DPP has Col. David Dungs, a Berom man from Riyom as its sole candidate and it appears all is well with the Party. Dungs has the backing of some stakeholders, who said, “he has vision, is a Berom man, from Riyom even though he is tight-fisted”.

The activities of ACN and the ANPP are still kept under wraps as the party offices are not busy and aspirants for the October 6 bye-election are not yet known.

Meanwhile, those who believe the bye-election should be open to all qualified party members decry the attitude of the PDP, which they say is forcing Pwajok on the people, maintaining that Col. Dungs should be supported.

PDP chances: The PDP’s chances in the Berom populated areas are high but the party may face a tough time  in Bassa, Jos East and Jos North, which have grudges against it.

For the Labour Party, Danladi Atu may have upper hand at his home in Jos East and part of Jos North as a former Chairman of the Council but there are doubts that Bassa may not vote him because their son, Lumumba Adeh, was betrayed. But the meagre votes from those areas would not see him occupy the seat.

As it stands, the contest would likely be between the PDP anointed candidate, GNS Pwajok and  Col. Dungs of the DPP but everyone hopes that there would be free and fair bye-election which would allow the will of the electorate to prevail.