The members of the All Progressives Congress ((APC) in Plateau State on Monday met in Jos to map out strategies ahead of the October 9 local government elections in the state.
Those in attendance were former Governor Simon Lalong, who’s also the senator representing Plateau South and his counterpart representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang, House of Representatives member representing, Shendam/Mikang/Qua’an Pan, John Dafa’an, members of the Plateau House of Assembly elected under the party and other party stalwarts.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the party, Rufus Bature, said that the meeting was very important to take stock of the party’s activities in the past few months as well as fashion out strategies for confronting the local government elections scheduled for next month and also chart the way.
He said that the meeting would also review the activities of the reconciliation committee set up after their last meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa state.
He said, Today’s meeting is an important one because a lot has happened and also other impending matters such as the report of the reconciliation committee and the forthcoming local government elections will be foremost in our deliberations.”
Bature said that the party has been able to weather the storm, especially after the party lost the last governorship election, adding that funding had been a major concern for the party to discharge its duties more efficiently and effectively.
The chairman said that after the Lafia meeting, the SWC swung into action by conducting a post-mortem session of the reconciliatory meeting, and later identified some critical stakeholders to reach out to, as a means of reassuring them of the party’s commitment and respect for them.
He expressed delight that after the interface the members came out more enriched and reassured to collectively work together in the interest of the party in the State, and the country at large.
“In addition to this, during the period in question, ladies and gentlemen, you are not unaware of the tortuous and stressful fight between our elected local government Chairmen and the councillors with the autocratic government of the PDP-led administration in the State.
“For the past twelve months or so, the elected local government Chairmen apart from the harassment and intimidations by the State government, kept on fighting to reclaim their mandates. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I must confess that the Chairmen and the Councillors have shown one thing, which is, courage, commitment and conviction in the cause they believe in.
“Happily, their struggle paid off, with the judgement of the Supreme Court wherein it was declared that no Governor or House of Assembly has the power to remove from office, any elected local government official.
On the local government election, the chairman said that the party is ever ready to sweep the October 9 polls and called for a level playing field for all contestants.
“As you are aware, October 9, has been slated for the local government elections and as a party and all things being equal, we intend to not only participate in the contest but to clear the polls convincingly, based on our level of preparedness and the anticipated support from all of you, most especially the critical stakeholders.
It might interest you to know that, right from the time PLASIEC announced its preparedness to conduct the local government elections, the SWC quickly appointed a desk officer and also assigned the Organizing Secretary together with the welfare officer to closely monitor the activities of PLASIEC concerning the elections.
Senator Lalong while addressing a stakeholders meeting at the State Party Secretariat in Jos said the party has remained focused and strong as reflected in the last primaries where candidates emerged.
According to him, the party has not only sustained its strong followership but is receiving more support due to the State of affairs under the present dispensation.
He said that he’s working round the clock to ensure that Plateau gets its slot in the federal executive council.
He appreciated members for their resilience and loyalty to the party and promised to stand by the party in all its activities.
Senator Diket Plang in his remarks asked the members to be steadfast and come together for the victory of the party in the elections. He also encouraged the party members to continue to explore the intraparty dispute resolution mechanisms.
Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Madaki Ajiji assured the party that the APC members in the House remain loyal to the party.