Plateau: Jang, Tallen in a close race

Posted by admin Elections 2011, Governors, NNP Elections 2011 Updates, Plateau, State News, Women Politics Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Pauline Tallen, current Deputy Gov of Plateau contesting against her boss, Gov. Jonas Jang

AS the governorship election holds today, the contest in Plateau State promises to be interesting because of the recent crises in the state, Jude Owuamanam writes

All eyes are on Plateau as the state gets set to make history today (Tuesday) as three political gladiators jostle for the Rayfield Government House. The incumbent Governor Jonah Jang is in an epic battle with his deputy, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, and a former Sports Minister, Mr. Damishi Sango. At the rear is a little known Chris Giwa, whose new found philosophy of philanthropy has catapulted him into limelight. Giwa, an erstwhile aide to former governor Joshua Dariye and Chairman of Plateau United Football Club, has not cut his teeth in politics, but his grassroots style of campaigning may turn out to be a novel that could create an upset in tomorrow’s election.

Sango is a late entrant to the race. Having been outwitted in the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, he found solace in the All Nigeria Peoples Party, on which platform he hopes to actualise his long sought ambition of occupying the Plateau Government House. Sango is not one prone to giving up easily as many of Chief Solomon Lar’s loyalists would say that of all his disciples, Sango is the only one who is a master strategist and spinner and can pull over anything.

However, having been wearied by dwindling political fortune, it is doubtful if Sango will bring this artistry to bear on today’s poll. But his political savvy and astuteness could be of much help to him.

However, the race appears to be a clear cut one between Jang and his deputy with Plateau becoming an experimental ground. Will Tallen unseat her boss?

For Jang, the statistics may be in his favour, but the odds are heavier. In the April 16 presidential election, Plateau delivered over one million votes to the ruling PDP. Jang hopes that that winning streak will be replicated tomorrow. It is, however, doubtful if the PDP could garner the same number of votes since the LP did not present a presidential flag bearer, but supported President Goodluck Jonathan, a fact that cannot be used to gauge LP’s popularity in the state .

Tallen is hoping to garner the bulk of Hausa votes, but it is also a factor that could work against her. To her kinsmen, her over reliance on Hausa/Fulani patronage is a bit unsettling, going by the history of political and religious rivalries in the state. Buoyed by the recent opinion polls which raised her stake from below 30 per cent to over 40 per cent, Tallen is gradually making inroads into the mind of voters. And of course, going by the fact that she has been more generous than her boss, she is sure of clinching the much coveted seat.

Jang’s loyalists are, however, aware of Tallen’s growing interest and are not sleeping. Both candidates are effectively making use of the new media in their campaigns and are appealing to the sentiments of the voters. One of such unsettling text message was said to have emanated from the Council of Ulama, though it could not be independently confirmed. It says, “To all Muslims: we must reclaim Kaduna, install a Muslim governor in Taraba, plant a deputy governor in Benue, install a woman as governor (which is Haram but she’s a necessary weapon of change) in Plateau. We must capture Central Nigeria. Council of Ulama, Northern Nigeria.” On the other hand, the Jang Campaign Organisation has been inundating voters with many text messages, asking them not to waste their votes. Of course, Jang is using his records of achievement to win the election.

In the National Assembly election, the three senatorial seats and two House of Representatives seats are at stake. Former governor Dariye has the highest stake in winning the Central senatorial seats against Dr. Dawuda Gowon of the PDP and Gambo Nbilamut of the Action Congress of Nigeria. It is a war between the Langtang generals as Jerry Useni of the Democratic Peoples Party, confronts incumbent John Shagaya of the LP and Victor Lar of the PDP.

Going by the outcome of the National Assembly and presidential election, and the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed, residents of the state are not expecting anything less. But the police are not leaving anything to chance if the outbreak of violence in the North after the presidential election is anything to go by.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, and Commander of the Special Task Force, Brig Gen. Hassan Umaru, have, however, assured the people of their safety. At a meeting with security agents in Jos on Thursday, they asked the people to go about their duty with no fear of molestation. A statement issued by the police also asked the people to be conscious of their safety and report all suspicious movements around them. However, going by the interest being generated by the governorship and legislative assembly elections in the past, residents are keeping their hearts in check.

The Civil Liberties Organisation has also sued for peace during today’s election. CLO President, Mr. Titus Mann, in a statement urged the police and other security agencies, to ensure that this time, they are not again, taken unawares, by circumstances that might threaten the safety and security of Nigerians, during and after the election.

While condemning the unfortunate and condemnable acts of violence that followed the outcome of the presidential election, and widespread destruction of property in many parts of the North, CLO said that Nigerians could not afford to witness such great carnage again.

He said, “Even as we urge the law enforcement agencies to be firm and measured in dealing with any actual or threatening security situation, the ongoing accusations and counter accusations by different political parties and actors, as to which of them is to blame for the last carnage and killings, means that the security and law enforcement agencies, must maintain utmost neutrality and fairness, in dealing with the security challenges of the elections of April 26 and 28.

”We urge the political parties to avoid any act statement and conduct, that are capable of inciting or provoking their supporters or their opponents to lawless behavior,” Mann added.

-Punchwp_posts