Former Plateau PDP Chairman, Dabin Joins State Governorship Race

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Politics Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

As the battle on who succeeds Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State continues, the immediate past Chairman of the state ruling Peoples Democraic (PDP), Dr. Haruna Khitwe Dabin, has declared his intention to contest the governorship seat, arguing the position has never been zoned to any part of the state.

Dabin who briefed journalists in Jos Tuesday, said the Central Zone where he hails from has supported Plateau North since 2007 to 2011 by ensuring it emerged victorious, hence it should reciprocate the same gesture to the Central Zone.

“The truth is that, governorship position in Plateau, has never been zoned. There is no record anywhere, and I challenge anybody to produce the minutes of meeting of any organ of the party in Plateau State, where any contemplation was done to zone the position of governorship of Plateau.

“Since 1999 to 2011, there has always been governorship aspirants from Plateau South, that is the truth. That is to say if in 1999, somebody from Plateau South had won, we would have had a governor from there, or 2003, 2007 or even 2011 when our governor and leader was taking second term.

“After the 1999 election, in 2003, only Governor Joshua Dariye who is from the Central Zone contested election from the zone. But in 2007 and 2011, nobody from Plateau Central contested election.

“Infact, it is on record that in 2007, the Plateau Central executive committee had decided to support Plateau North in its bid for governorship, we are our brothers keepers, we believe that we are the critical belt on the Plateau and for us to determine who is to be leader, we threw our weight behind Plateau North to produce Governor Jang.

“And this we are saying one good turn deserves another, we are simply saying it is time for Plateau North reciprocate.

“Plateau Central is offering its sons to aspire for this position, so also is Plateau South, but let me say that, as a democrat and as one who in the right for every citizen to contest the position, it is also right for Plateau North to fill aspirants, I don’t mind”, Dabin posited.

He further stated that a time would still come when zoning would be jettisoned for the best.

Dabin who had resigned his position as the state PDP Chairman since middle of the month said, “The National Chairman of the party, Ahmadu Muazu, was emphatic that if I chose to go to court for example, anybody with all the illegalities making rounds that I have resigned or being suspended. But no as a party man, I shouldn’t go to court, but when I can exhaust opportunities or even take a bow. Let the people determine”.

“You will fine in my resignation letter, I had said there are three judgement in the world. There is the judgement of the people, and tell you come 29th, November, 2014, when the State Congress of the party will be held to determine the governorship candidate, we shall hear the judgement of Plateau people. Whether I have been an appropriate Chairman of the party or not. Whether I have paid my dues or not”, he added.

The former Chairman maintained that there is also the judgement of posterity, saying today’s deeds would be exhume tomorrow.

“And I leave it to the judgement of posterity, to judge if I have been a worthy Chairman of the party or not. He stressed.

“Let me say as former Chairman of the party, that was instrumental to the re-election of Governor Jonah Jang in 2011, I take responsibility for any lapses Governor Jang would have recorded. I take responsibility as party Chairman.

“But I believe that if and when God takes us there, as Governor of Plateau, the synergy between Governor and the party will be stronger, because this is a man who knows about the party who has been in the party, who has seen it all in the party”, Dabin affirmed.