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?Mr Gyang Pwajok, the Plateau Government’s Chief of Staff, who resigned last week, is to contest the Plateau North senatorial by-elections to replace the late Sen. Gyang Dantong.?
“Yes, I am in the race for the Senate seat and I am confident of picking the PDP ticket and securing victory in the election by God’s grace,’’ Pwajok told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Monday .?
INEC has tentatively fixed Sept. 15 for the bye-election to replace Dantong, who died in a stampede after gunmen attacked mourners in Maseh, a village in Riyom Local Government.??
Pwajok said that he accepted to contest for the Senate after much pressure from stakeholders and the constituents who adjudged him most suited for the job.?
“I was just doing my work dutifully as Chief of Staff , but my people felt I should take up greater responsibilities; in fact, my principal (Gov Jonah Jang), accepted my decision to quit very reluctantly.?
“I had to bow to the pressure because I was equally convinced that Plateau North senatorial district was in dire need of quality representation in view of its current security ?challenges,’’ he added.?
Pwajok, a former political science lecturer with the University of Jos, said that he also viewed the people’s wish as a clarion call for further service because he believed that the Senate was a platform where issues bordering on state/federal relations could be tackled.?
“There has been some deep misunderstanding of the Plateau situation at the national level and I intend to work toward a better understanding and appreciation of the situation so as to shore up the image of Plateau before federal authorities.’’
Pwajok also promised to draw the attention of the federal authorities to the massive ecological devastation suffered by his constituents following several decades of mining activities, adding that he would work toward reparations that would address the damages.?
“There are several ponds scattered round Plateau North; apart from the loss of farmlands, there is the radioactive effects my constituents have continued to live with. They sure deserve some compensation and a better deal.’’
While lamenting the colossal destruction following years of bloodbath in Plateau north, the aspirant promised to liaise with stakeholders to initiate a policy of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation to heal wounds, restore mutual confidence and resuscitate development.?
“My belief is that we cannot negotiate peace for the people. We must negotiate with them by first seeking and resolving what went wrong in the first place. That way, everyone would be made an active participant in the quest for harmony.’’
He pointed out that the scope of physical damage over the years had gone beyond the capacity of the state to handle alone, and promised to seek more federal attention toward rebuilding Plateau and putting it on the path to greatness once more.?
Pwajok also promised to mobilise his constituents to fully support government policies, and lamented the opposition to Plateau policies by even people, who were supposed to be the main beneficiaries.?
On reports that Jang had not been fair to some sections of the society, Pwajok said that nothing could be farther from the truth.?
“I have been inside, so I should know; most of such criticisms come from political rivals with mind sets, who would not see anything in whatever Jang does. They play up areas they feel are bad, but will never tell you the numerous achievements that are physically there for anyone to see.’’
He noted that Jang had governed two states – former Gongola, which is predominantly Muslim, and former Benue, which is predominantly Christian, but did very well and was never accused of being unfair to any section because that had never been part of him.?
On his chances in the race, 47-year-old Pwajok said he was very optimistic as he was bringing “fresh ideas, new perspectives and an appeal to his constituency, the younger generation’’.?
The senatorial aspirant, however, rejected suggestions that indolence among youths was responsible for the constant violence in Plateau and other parts of Nigeria.?
“People try to explain away crises as caused by unemployment, but I see unemployment as an effect, and not the cause of crises. In fact, crises cause unemployment because businesses and houses are destroyed, throwing more people into the streets.?
“There is also a strange dimension to the issues. People, who cannot afford two square meals, can afford a gun and my feeling is that the cost of the gun should have been invested into more fruitful ventures.?
“Again, if you just see violence as a product of poverty, where will you place Mutallab, the young Nigerian from a very rich background, currently serving a life sentence in the U.S. for attempting to bomb an aircraft?’’, he asked.?
NAN reports that the Plateau North Constituency has six local governments – Jos North, Jos South, Jos East, Riyom, Bassa and Barkin Ladi. (NAN)