Plateau Ministerial Slot

Plateau Crisis: The Issue of Indigene/Settler Dichotomy

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• After nearly a month’s delay, the names of 34 ministerial nominees sent by President Jonathan were read on the floor of the Senate yesterday. While two states, Benue and Ogun, had two nominees each, the four states of Kaduna, Plateau, Ondo and Cross River did not have any nominee.
• On Wednesday, March 24, the day after the first list of ministerial nominees was sent to the National Assembly, Professor Dora Akunyili was at the Abuja residence of a very influential PDP leader.
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Plateau Outreach Ministries is a social service organization offering basic needs assistance: Food Bank, Clothing Bank and Emergency Financial Assistance. POM is a 501(c)3 charity. This charitable organization was established in 1998 by churches on the Enumclaw Plateau to form a single source to hon.

Bernard Doro

A lot has been said on the recent crisis that engulfed the Plateau which culminated to the declaration of a state of emergency, suspension of democratic structures and the appointment of a sole administrator in the State for an initial period of six months. This piece is not to add to such comments, but to X-ray the issue of Indigene/Settler dichotomy which is currently being debated nationally with reference to Plateau state.

I find it sickening and nauseating to read most of the comments on this sensitive issue even by well respected elites in this country, because of the share bias, lack of sincerity and the politicization of the issue. Nigeria has been this slow in advancement both socially, technologically and otherwise because our leaders lack the political will to neither make truthful comments nor accept values and ideas which challenge the status quo and dominant vested interest of the political class for fair of imaginary victimization! Truth exalts a nation but falsehood will only lead to its destruction.

The governor of JigawaState, Saminu Turaki has been vocal of recent especially his well publicized statement referring to the likes of Gens. Gowon, IBB, Buhari, and former president Shagari as settlers in their respective communities. Of course, the issue of indigeneship/settlership has suddenly become very topical because somebody wants to eat his cake and have it. Less I’m misunderstood, I support the view that every Nigerian should live and conduct business wherever he/she chooses without harassment. However, I don’t support colonization of the host community in any form by any Nigerian living in such area of choice.

The same people who see everything wrong in indigene/settler dichotomy, do not see any wrong in agitating for rotational presidency, complying with federal character in appointment of ministers/advisers etc, quarter system in recruitment of workers (armed forces, police and other paramilitary personnel) and admission into universities and colleges of higher studies, to mention but a few. In fact, in completing the various application form for the above federal establishments, you have to indicate your local Government and State of origin. Many prominent Nigerians representing their zones have argued that power should shift for sustenance of democracy and to give a sense of stake to the different components of the country. Or is not the same argument that led to the establishment of federal character commission? Should a qualified Igbo or Yoruba person contest for the presidency if eventually it is zoned to the north? Would the proponent of abolition of indigene/settler dichotomy support such a person if it happens? Double standard or hypocrisy you would say!

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with the illiteracy level of the people very high and political offices are still being seen as welfare and a way of empowering the office holder and his immediate constituency, instead of it being for service. The current political players do not think nor act otherwise! Take a survey of all political office holders across the land and it will not take you time to concur with my position. For this and other reasons, it will be difficult for a Plateau indigene for example to accept a Kano indigene settler as political representative of his area and vice versa. Would a Yoruba man from OgunState be comfortable to relinquish his ministerial slot to a Shagamu Hausa settler? Would the Igbos accept a Yoruba as a political representative of their area because such a person is settled there for a long time? I do not anticipate such circumstances occurring in this country in the next century! Late Dr. Azikiwe would have been in a position to share his experience were he alive! Who is then interested in crucifying the indigenes of PlateauState or is it a situation where a dog is given a bad name in order to hang it?

I believe the current spade of crisis in the country cannot be solved with appeasement through white-wash solutions neither does the solution lie in intimidation or declaration of state of emergency. The Nigerian citizen has a right to good governance through provision of quality education, access to healthcare, justice etc, and accountability in leadership as against the dictatorial tendencies that are characteristic of the current regime. The issue of indigene/settler dichotomy will die naturally as seen in developed world if leaders do the right things in their rule and inculcate service-oriented spirit. There must be genuine and deliberate steps to better the lives of Nigerians, ensuring security of lives and property, as well as practicing the rule of law.

In conclusion, I know that the Plateau indigenes are not hostile to their guests as is being portrayed in some quarters for so long as their cultures and values are respected. But I also know that the indigenes will find it difficult to accommodate visitors-turned-LORDS over their host without prejudice to the constitutional rights of every Nigerian citizen. Whatever is applicable in the other parts of the country should hold in plateau state since it does not live in isolation but is part of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Bernard Doro

Writes from Milton Keynes, UK

President Buhari has released his killer squad or calls it a Ministerial list which comprises about President 43-man ministerial list to the Senate on Tuesday.

Some of the nominees are well-known while others we know little about them. Well, we have a summary of some of their profile.

Buhari Cabinet Members and their Profiles

Here is a quick look at the profile of the ministerial nominees:

· Okechuckwu Ogah: The Abia-born Ogah is a Consultant Physician/Cardiologist Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan. He is also the President of the Nigerian Cardiac Society. Sources said he may be made Minister of Health.

· Mohammed Musa Bello: The immediate past FCT Minister has been nominated again by Buhari possibly to continue overseeing activities in the ministry. He has a B.SC in management with a major in Banking and Finance from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. He has an MBA in the same field. He represents the Adamawa state.

· Godswill Akpabio: The former Governor of Akwa Ibom lost his re-election bid to the Senate. He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) months to the last general elections after following out with his godson and successor Udom Emmanuel. His nomination is expected to galvanise the APC in the state and region where he is considered the leader.

· Chris Ngige: Many thought he will be dropped from the incoming cabinet following his long-drawn battles with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and medical doctors. But the former Anambra governor staged a comeback and is likely to be assigned to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

· Sharon Ikeazor: The current Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) is a surprise inclusion in the cabinet considering the massive reforms she initiated in the PTAD. Buhari certainly needs better needs of her to have nominated the former Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for cabinet role. She is expected to serve as a Minister of State being a first-timer.

· Adamu Adamu: The immediate past Minister of Education from Bauchi state is likely to continue in the same capacity upon the constitution of the new cabinet.

· Ambassador Maryam Katagun: The new entrant is expected to serve as a junior minister from Bauchi state despite being Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Considering her functions in UNESCO, she is likely to be assigned to the Ministry of Education.

· Timipre Sylva: One of the former governors to make the list, Sylva’s inclusion means he won’t contest the November 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa, which he presided over from 2007-2011. He replaces former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri, who has since picked the nomination form for APC governorship primary.

· George Akume: The former Benue governor, who lost his senatorial re-election bid, is back as a ministerial-nominee. He replaces former Agriculture Minister Audu Ogbeh as the state’s representative.

· Mustapha Baba Shehuri: The immediate past Minister of State for Power Works Housing is back on the list ostensibly to give more impetus to ongoing projects in the ministry.

· Goddy Jedy- Agba: The former Group General Manager (GGM) Crude Oil Marketing Division (OMD) NNPC wanted desperately to govern Cross Rivers but was stopped by powerful forces. He left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC where he has been rewarded with a ministerial slot.

· Festus Keyamo: The human rights activist won the Delta ministerial slot having served as Director of Strategic Communications of Buhari’s re-election bid.

· Ogbonnaya Onu: The immediate past Minister of Science of Technology is back to represent Ebonyi state. He may be asked to continue with the ministry.

· Osagie Ehanire: Another returnee, Ehanire served as Minister of State for Health. He may just be back in the ministry.

· Clement Ike: Little is known of the accountant from Edo.

· Adeniyi Adebayo: Former Ekiti governor is a top chieftain of the APC. He is back with a public office since he left as governor from 1999-2003.

· Geoffrey Onyeama: The immediate Minister of Foreign Affairs from Enugu is widely believed will continue in the same capacity.

· Ali Isa Pantami: Gombe-born Director General and CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Nigeria is a new inclusion on the cabinet list.

Plateau Ministerial Sloths

· Emeka Nwajiuba: He has just been elected a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of Accord Party. Nwajiuba was a member of the House from 1999-2003.

· Suleiman Adamu: The immediate past Minister of Water Resources from Jigawa may continue with the ministry. He was also a former Inspector General of Police.

· Zainab Ahmed: The Kaduna-born accountant is immediate past Minister of Finance.

· Muhammad Mahmood: Little is known of the second ministerial nominee from Kaduna state.

· Sabo Nanono: The retired banker has long been tipped for ministerial appointment. He comes to the cabinet with years of experience in banking.

· Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi: A former Sokoto governor (1990-1992), he was retired along with other military chiefs in 1999. He was a legal adviser for the defunct All Nigeria’s People Party (ANPP) and governorship candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in Kano.

· Hadi Sirika: The immediate past Minister of Aviation is likely to be back in familiar turf.

· Abubakar Malami: The Minister of Justice and Attorney General is an expected returnee being one of the President’s men in the last cabinet.

· .Ramatu Tijjan: The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is widely speculated to head the Ministry of Women Affairs.

· Lai Mohammed: The immediate past Minister of Information and Culture is not a surprise inclusion. He may be back in the same Ministry.

· Gbemisola Saraki: The former Senator led the APC assault that led to the collapse of his elder brother’s political empire in Kwara state. She is tipped to serve as a Minister of State.

· Babatunde Fashola: The immediate past Minister of Power, Works and Housing is expectedly back to continue with projects he initiated in the first term.

· Olorunnibe Mamora: The former Senator and Lagos Speaker is a surprise addition to the list considering he was just appointed Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in 2018.

· Mohammed H. Abdullahi: He is the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Nasarawa State Government.

· Zubair Dada: Not much is known of the nominee from Niger.

· Olamilekan Adegbite: He is the immediate past Ogun Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.

· Tayo Alasoadura: The former Senator was a former Secretary to Ondo State Government.

· Rauf Aregbesola: He is the immediate past Osun Governor and trained engineer.

· Sunday Dare: The former editor is Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) of the Nigerian Communications Commission. He is to represent Oyo state.

· Paulen Talen: The former Deputy Governor of Plateau is a chieftain of the APC.

Plateau Ministerial Slots

· Rotimi Amaechi: The immediate past Minister of Transportation is an expected inclusion on the list.

· Maigarai Dingyadi: Little is known of the nominee from Sokoto state.

· Abubakar D. Aliyu: He is a former deputy governor of Yobe.

· Sadiya Umar Faruk: The Zamfara-born nominee is Federal Commissioner of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.