By Daniel Dauda, Jos


A research group under the aegis of All Progressive Congress, APC, patriotic front for equity and justice in Plateau State has pencil Hon. Philip Asanato Adik to be the running mate of Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC governorship candidate in Plateau come 2023 general elections.

Adik who is the current organizing secretary of the ruling APC in Plateau the group acknowledged is eminently qualified to deputize Nentawe considering his track records of achievement.

The APC patriotic front of equity and justice made its position known while addressing newsmen in Jos Plateau State capital on Thursday.

According to the group chairman Hon.Wilson Simon and Secretary Solomon Ododo, as soon as the primary was concluded and Yilwatda emerged, we immediately embarked on an extensive research across the length and breath of Plateau Northern Senatorial District for a befitting running mate taking into cognizance the pedigree of our Gubernatorial candidate.

"This became necessary bearing in mind that a good leader must have a sense of responsibility and dependability. This means displaying those traits at an individual level , but also demonstrating them during interactions with others. 

Consequently, "our Gubernatorial candidate needs a credible, versatile, knowledgeable and acceptable running mate he can depend on even through tough times to deliver on his mandate.
It is on this basis that this group, which comprises of eminent researchers and grassroot politicians with membership cutting across the 17 Local Government Areas conducted its research in the 6 LGAs of Plateau Northern Senatorial Zone of the state  and our result revealed Hon. Philip Asanato Adik as the most credible in all ramifications.

"An astute politician, a grassroot mobilizer and a wakaholic. Born 47 years ago in Kisagyip, Bassa LGA of Plateau State and currently the Organizing Secretary of the APC, Plateau State Chapter, Adik holds a Diploma in Law, Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science, Masters Degree in Peace and Conflict Management all from the prestigious University of Jos."

The group further revealed that he worked in the Plateau State Judiciary for 14 years and retired voluntarily in 2011. He was a Special Assistant to Governor Jonah David Jang on Project Monitoring from 2011 to 2014, Legislative Aide to late Hon. Haruna Maitala who represented Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 2019 to 2021. He has been a part-time lecturer with the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi from 2016 till date.

A member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Adik's Church activities include; Chairman, Welfare Committee, ECWA Goodnews Church Centre, Rukuba Road Jos, 2009 to 2011, Chairman, Local Youth Council (LYC), Jos DCC 1998 to 2001, Chairman, Local Youth Board, ECWA Church Rukuba Road Centre Jos 1999 to 2001 and Worship Leader, ECWA Goodnews Centre Rukuba Road 1996 to 1999.

His Union activities include; Chairman, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Plateau State Branch, 2008 to 2011, Member State Executive Council (SEC), Nigeria Labour Congress, Plateau State Chapter, 2008 to 2011, Chairman, negotiation between Government and JUSUN on the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS) Union side - 2010, Member, JUSUN Constitution Amendment Committee, Abuja, 2008, Member, National Delegates Conference (NDC), Minna, Niger State, 2008, Legal Adviser, JUSUN, Plateau State Branch, 2005 to 2008. 

Adik was also a participant, seminars on Capacity Building for JUSUN leadership in Bayelsa in 2011,  and on Effective Communication and leadership for Trade Union Leaders, organized by Foresight Industrial Relation and Management Consultant Services, Kaduna, 2001.

On his Political aspirations, Adik was a PDP Aspirant, Jos North-West State Constituency in 2011 and 2015. He contested  the PDP Plateau State Chairmanship in 2016, Aspirant, Plateau State House of Assembly, Jos North-West state Constituency, 2019 and in 2021, contested the Plateau State APC Chairmanship and adjudged by observers to be the only candidate to have engaged in wider consultations across the 17 LGAs of the state.

"It is instructive to equally state here that our decision is driven by the fact that to continue building a peaceful and united Plateau is a multifarious labyrinth exercise. A task that requires dynamic and nimble ideas which can only be achieved through Yilwatda/Adik ticket.

"We must also make it clear that our research was carried out devoid of sentiments. It is therefore, an outcome of aggregate collation of opinions of critical stakeholders across party lines, Youths and Community leaders as well as religious leaders across the zone who have all testified of his responsibility and commitment in every task assigned to him, and further described him as a bridge builder.

"One remarkable thing which we have discovered about the character of Adik is his liberal and accommodative nature as well as his loathe for injustice which has earned him the nickname, "Adalci", meaning, Justice in Hausa.
 
"In concussion, GenerationNext is a vision, and we are positive that Adik has the capacity to assist the vision bearer (Dr. Nentanwe Yilwatda), motivates and inspires people to engage and manages delivery of the vision to the people of Plateau State, being a political scientist and a conflict manager.

"It is our desire that after this briefing, the following days would see us doing a follow up with the leadership of the party and with other stakeholders to have them see reason why Adik is the ideal person for running mate", the group concluded.