As the 2023 general elections draw near, politicians in Plateau have begun consultations and calculations of who becomes the next governor of the state when Governor Simon Lalong exits office on May 29, 2023.

No fewer than 28 governorship aspirants got the expression of interest and nominations forms of the major political parties — the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — to jostle for the number one seat of the state.

After the close of sale of expression of interest and nominations forms in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, 18 PDP aspirants picked the forms while 10 aspirants bought the APC forms.

Political analysts in the state note that while some who have indicated interest may be mere political jobbers or moles, some are considered to be genuine contenders for the plump job.

An unwritten agreement on power shift favours Plateau Central Senatorial District to produce the next governor, hence, majority of those who have thrown their hats in the ring are from the zone.

While the incumbent APC is excited about its chances of producing Mr Lalong’s successor, the party is said to be worried of the fact that no outgoing administration has installed its successor.

Disturbed by the history that keeps recurring, Rufus Bature, APC State Chairman, said that the state working committee members under his leadership and other party stalwarts would work hard and break the jinx.

Mr Bature admonished party members at all levels to step up their efforts in ensuring that the APC remains in power not just in the state but also at the national level.

The PDP on its part is optimistic of regaining power after eight years outside Government House, Jos.

Chris Hassan, the PDP State Chairman, said “the leadership of the party is fully aware of the fact that it needs to dislodge or defeat an incumbent with all the arsenals to retain power’’.

Those who purchased the forms and were screened by APC are Dr Danyaro Sarpiya, David Dimka, Dr Patrick Dakum, Fitka Bilshaka, Senator Hezekiah Dimka, Dr Nentawe Yilwada, Sunday Biggs, Professor Sonni Tyoden, Garba Pwul (SAN) and Yohana Margif  who later withdrew.

Of all those jostling for the APC lone ticket, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, an information and communication expert and immediate past INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue, is said to be the one of the major contenders for the seat.

Another aspirant, Yohanna Margif, who had bought the forms, withdrew from the contest as well as his membership of the APC citing lack of internal democracy, impunity and imposition of candidate for his action.

A group, Equity and Justice Forum, also advised Mr Lalong and the leadership of APC against imposing a candidate on the delegates.

The group said that equity, justice, fairness and a level playing ground should be provided for all the governorship aspirants.

Plateau APC Elders Advisory Council also warned against imposition of candidates on the citizens, noting that it is contrary to the tenets of democracy all over the world.

The council said that the situation had been agitating the minds of Plateau people and heating up the polity unnecessarily.

Acting chairman of the council, Danladi Wuyep, noted that APC had already come out with guidelines on members’ conduct during the primaries.

It advised, therefore, that those who paid for forms be treated fairly and given level playing ground to participate.

Reacting to the alleged planned imposition, the Plateau APC Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang, said that neither the governor nor the party leadership “has anointed anyone to emerge as candidate’’.

“The party is interested in producing the best, credible and acceptable candidate who would give it victory to break the jinx of not producing a successor since 2007.

“Our esteemed elders who have unfettered access to the governor or the party chairman should exploit these avenues for clarification to proffer advice and solutions where necessary,’’ he said.

On the part of PDP, 18 aspirants bought the expression of interest and nomination forms, the highest in the party’s history in the state.

Those who picked the forms include Jonathan Akuns, Latep Dabang, Dauda Gotring, David Paradang, Timothy Golu, Kefas Ropshika, Ephraim Dewa and Jack Pam.

Others are Professor Shadrack Best, Caleb Mutfwang, Bagudu Hirse, Satu Jewun, Mazadu Bako, Vincent Nanle, John Sura, Jeremiah Gushop, Alexander Ladan and Alfred Damiyal.

However, the former Plateau governor Jonah Jang, the leader of the party in the state, recently said that he had no preferred aspirant as the people would decide who would fly the party flag.

The former governor said that he would not endorse anyone but work with whoever the people elect during primaries.

He expressed optimism that the party would return to the Plateau government in 2023.

Political enthusiasts however believe that Mr Jang has a soft spot for those that were part of his administration when he led the state from 2007 to 2014.

If their word is anything to go by, Mr Best, who was Secretary to State Government during Mr Jang’s reign and Mr Mutfwang who was Chairman, Mangu Local Government when Mr Jang was governor of the state are ahead of the rest in terms of securing the favour and support of the former state governor.

They also believe that the former governor was comfortable with producing a governor from the Mwaghavul tribe of Mangu Local Government of Plateau where Messrs Best and Mutfwang came from.

Nimram Gambo, a political analyst, believes that the area has numerical strength that would give it an edge in the general elections if a popular candidate emerges from the axis.

He recalled that the area was significantly responsible for the ouster of PDP from government house in the 2015 general elections when Mangu produced a block vote in favour of APC.

(Peter Amine/NANFeatures)