TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY HON. EMMANUEL DAUDA

ON BEHALF OF ADVOCATES FOR PEACE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE, JOS- SOUTH LGA CHAPTER IN RESPONSE TO THE MALICIOUS CALL FOR THE SACK OF HON. DACHUNG YOHANNA CHOJI, MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, JOS-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY-7TH- OCTOBER, 2020 AT TRESOR GUEST INN.

ANGULDI.


Gentlemen and ladies of the press, my dear brothers and beloved citizens of Jos-South LGA, Plateau State, this text I hold before you is in many ways the reaction that follows when issues are arising that people require to know the truth.

What is playing out in Jos South Local Government is not different from the ashes that was recently buried in Edo State. 


The concept of godfatherism in Nigerian politics is a huge concern to everyone interested in making Nigeria a better place. Godfatherism has eaten deep into the Nigerian political system and is a threat to the democratic system we have in the country. As a citizen, this should concern you. 


We’ve seen this play out in places and has been a routine in our very own Jos South. We have seen vivid instances that prove how godfatherism has not help our Local Government.  


The power to decide who governs is expected to lie in the hands of the masses and not some godfathers.  


Now in Jos South, the ugly head of godfatherism has risen to obstruct democracy and democratic dividends. In an abysmal display of betrayal, it is sad that some self acclaimed godfathers who once had the support of Jos South citizens in areas they have either led or are leading are now aspiring to be the new godfather in Jos South. 


In a recent display of misjudgment, some persons have been raising agitations for the sack of the management Committee Chairman on claims of non performance. 


This is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Jos South LGA. This is a betrayal of trust that Jos South citizens will not stand for.    


In a sane political climate, the chairman should not be distracted by individuals who have not substantiated their claim for lack of performance to be able to concentrate in delivering the goods to citizens.  


We cannot allow the concept of godfatherism to stand in Jos South Local Government Area at all. What we ought to pursue is, democracy and delivery of democracy dividends. Let the Chairman preside over the Council matters without any undue influence or pressure


Hon. Dachung Yohanna Choji posits that the interest of the people should be supreme. Jos South is not about to become milking zone where citizens cannot breathe, and policies cannot be implemented unless it is approved by the ‘Strongmen’.


The time has come for self made godfathers to accept that the days of self-styled godfathers of Jos South are gone. Those days represent the darkest era in our LGA's history. They were the days of corruption, treasury stealing and undue calls for either the sack or impeachment of administers of our Local Government  like the chairman, irrevocable standing payment orders, which enabled the godfathers to be paid without the verification of contracts they purportedly executed even before civil servants, teachers and pensioners were paid at the end of the month. The great writer and thinker, Professor Chinua Achebe, memorably described them as renegades who were determined to turn his homeland “into a lawless and bankrupt fiefdom.”


It is in the acclaimed godfathers interest to think again about this current war. They have had in the last few months. This is a full-scale war against the whole of citizens of Jos South Local Government Area with the assistance of some persons. One thing is certain: Jos South, having tasted good governance in recent times, can never return to the days of godfathers.


We therefore call on the detractors to desist from the politicization of serious issues such as the development of Jos South LGA.


We wondered why some individuals and groups are so persistent about getting the Chairman removed, even at a time, when several other groups continue to repose their confidence in him for his developmental strides in the LGA within the shortest period.


This is a deliberate attempt attempt to demoralize the Council chairman and his team, who are currently working round the clock, despite the very limited available resources available, to ensure that they give the good people of Jos South the desired development.


We are really dismayed, over the inability of the those agitators to acknowledge the efforts and landmark achievements, that have been made by the Management Committee of Jos South LGC under the leadership of Hon. Dachung Yohanna Choji, since assuming office in October 2019."


As patriotic citizens of Jos South and Plateau State by extension, we have observed the series of a well-funded and politically orchestrated falsehood and the campaign of calumny against Hon. Dachung Yohanna Choji by some politicians and group of persons. While it is an open secret that some unpatriotic politicians are hell-bent on discrediting the efforts of the Chairman, we urge the people of Jos South to remain steadfast in their support and be rest assured that, Hon. Dachung Choji and his Management team will deliver on its promise of bring the desired development to the LGA.


We call on Governor Simon Bako Lalong, the Governor of Plateau State who doubles as Chairman, Northern Governor's forum to ignore these self serving call and weight into the matter by calling the detractors to order.


Thank you and God Blessed.


Long live Advocates for peace and good Governance

Long live Jos South L.G.A

Long live Plateau State 

Long live Nigeria.