Pankshin elders and stakeholders have disagreed with the Plateau State House of Assembly that residents of the state should do whatever possible to protect themselves against Fulani herdsmen and militia.
In a press conference on Saturday, the stakeholders, who are said to be related to the Governor, Barrister Simon Lalong, by marriage denounced the conduct of their Legislators representing in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Peter Dasun, Pankshin North and Hon. Henry Longs, Pankshin South, for being part of the lawmakers that gave the Governor two weeks ultimatum to fix the insecurity in the state.
Below are excerpts from the speech at the press conference:
“1. We the elders and stakeholders of Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria held our regular meeting today being Saturday 28th August, 2021 at the residence of Professor John Wokton Wade, mni residence and resolved on germane issues of State and national concerns.
2. After observing one minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives during all sectarian attacks in Plateau State, we wish to sincerely extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and good People of Plateau State on the recent security infractions in some communities of Plateau state that led to unprovoked killings of innocent lives, destructions of farmlands and hard-earned properties, thereby truncating sources of livelihood of the affected fellow citizens. We also commiserate with the families of the lost ones. These actions are highly unjustifiable and condemnable, especially the most recent Yelwa Zangam in Jos North LGA massacre. We sincerely share in their pains and sensitivity of Plateau people.
3. It is unfortunate that the people of Plateau State will continue to experience unprovoked attacks on our communities by “unknown herdsmen” that will, hopefully, one day be known to the whole world.
4. We therefore, commend the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG and all the security agencies on the Plateau for the efforts made so far in curtailing the escalation and aftermath spiral effects of these attacks.
5. It is to our knowledge that the introduction of Plateau State Inter Religious Council, which the Executive Governor has implemented and the Five Years Road Map to Peace and Security and several other initiatives.
6. The Governor has also tried, exceedingly well, in the last six years to ensure that Plateau State enjoys some reasonable level of peace and stability, despite limited funds, shortage in logistics support, slow in security interventions and other challenges.
7. With the unfortunate incidences that lead to death and destruction of lives and properties of some Communities listed above, and the tremendous and commendable efforts of the Governor and his cabinet as well as Security Council in restoring peace and confidence, we noted with concern the nature, quality and contents of the “World Press Conference on the state of insecurity in Plateau State….” by the Plateau State House of Assembly on Friday 27th August 2021. Specifically, we note the following:
a. We note and appreciate the right of individuals and groups in exercising freedom of speech. We however note that in parliamentary parlance, first motions on the floor of the House are advisory to the Executive and not an issue of ultimatum and subject to a press conference and or release.
b. The legislative arm should not be seen to usurp the role of the Executive at the expense of their constitutional duties. For example, Employment and Security matters, amongst others are known world over as the function of the Executive and giving directive to the Local Government Chairmen to recruit vigilantes is an affront on the executive and exercise in futility, as responsible citizens of this country, we take exception to that.
c. Similarly, it is worrisome and embarrassing that instead of being seen working in tandem with the Executive, especially in this most trying period, the Press Conference went as far as giving the Governor ultimatum of two (2) weeks to take action on certain motions of the House.
8. It is incumbent on us the electorates and good people of Pankshin LGA to hold our elected representatives accountable, given that they are sent on special constitutional mandate for the common good and not to be combative and seen to be running a parallel government with the Executive arm as portrayed in a recent world press conference by Hon. Philip Peter Dasun, Chairman, House Committee on Information in the Plateau State House of Assembly.
9. Consequently, we the elders and major stakeholders of Pankshin Local Government Area denounce the conduct of our Legislators representing us in the Plateau State House of Assembly, namely, Hon. Philip Peter Dasun, Pankshin North and Hon. Henry Longs, Pankshin South for taking such inimical actions in a world press conference without reverting to the constituents for input and consent.
10. Arising from some of our germane observations on the contents and representations made above, we, the elders and stakeholders dissociate ourselves with such tactical and strategic blunders that clearly portray conflict of interest between the Legislature and Executive.
11. Gentlemen of the Press, we the elders and major stakeholders of Pankshin LGA hope and pray that all these perennial killings, wanton destruction of farmlands and properties shall also pass away and Plateau State shall rise again, strong, viral and egalitarian where every citizen will coexist in harmony and tranquility.
12. Finally, we appeal to elders and all Citizens of Plateau State that we join hands with the Governor to see to it that this ill that has fallen on us be put to an end in its totality. We don’t have any other State than Plateau. This is time for reasoning and not blame shift. We are all brothers and sisters who should be able to resolve our issues and avoid external people tampering with our collective interest.”
