The Plateau Youth Council (PYC) is currently embroiled in a heated controversy as the upcoming elections have sparked debates over zoning agreements and leadership positions. The tension centers around the distribution of key roles within the council, particularly the chairmanship, which has become a point of contention among various local government areas. Veterans and current youth leaders are grappling with differing interpretations of zoning arrangements, with some accusing others of selfishness and attempts to undermine long-standing agreements.
In an interview with The EagleEye Publications which involved two of the PYC Veterans, Barr. Passi Ishaya and Comrade Kash; Mangu Local Government, in particular, has found itself at the heart of the dispute, with claims that some of its leaders are disregarding the established zoning system to push their candidates forward. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction among other local governments, especially Bokkos, which argues that it has been unfairly sidelined in past leadership selections. The controversy has drawn in various stakeholders, including past PYC leaders and local veterans, who have weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the need for fairness and adherence to the agreed-upon zoning structure.
The Veterans told Eagle Eye Publications that the ongoing agitation is not only unnecessary but also harmful to the unity and progress of the council. He points out that the Mwaghavul community has historically been well-represented, with several of its members having held prominent positions in the past, including the House of Representatives. The veterans warns against allowing parochial interests to disrupt the delicate balance that the PYC has worked hard to maintain over the years.
The interview also highlights the broader implications of the controversy, particularly how it could be misinterpreted as a reflection of the Plateau State government's stance on youth leadership. However, The Two veterans makes it clear that the government has no preferred candidate and is committed to a fair and transparent election process. They both urges all parties involved to respect the zoning agreement and to prioritize the collective good over individual ambitions.
The interview with the veterans is detail below;
The EagleEye: Can you introduce yourself?_
Comrade Cash: My name is Comrade, Honorable Comrade Kashi Ayuba from Kewang Ward, Mangu Local Government. I'm a veteran of the Youth Council. I joined the Youth Council in 1998 during the tenure of Comrade Mr. Kelvin Keso. That was when I became involved with the Youth Council on the Plateau.
The EagleEye: Can you tell us a little about the current situation regarding the forthcoming PYC election?_
Comrade Cash: Well, as a veteran and a youth from Mangu Local Government, I was once an aspirant. Unfortunately, the election couldn’t hold at that time during the Baba Jang era when he was governor. In the Youth Council, the zoning system plays a crucial role. This zoning system is designed to ensure fairness across different areas. For instance, if you look at the history of the Youth Council, Comrade Ima Dashe, who is from a minority tribe, became the PYC chairman due to the zoning arrangement. Similarly, Comrade Yakubu, who was also from a minority group, managed to become chairman thanks to zoning.
We recently met in the central zone at the larger house, where veterans, the Youth Council, and outgoing EXCO members were present at the 13th Kowa Youth Center. The decision was made that each zone would go back to its respective area. The central zone was set to meet in Pankshin, the headquarters of the central zone. Northern zone members would meet in Jos South, and the southern zone in Shendam. We all gathered, including veterans and past leaders, and decisions were made.
In the central zone, there was a particular discussion about how Mangu, Pankshin, Kanke, and Kanam had previously produced PYC chairmen. For instance, Professor Ampe, who was once the Youth Council chairman, came from Mangu Local Government. Similarly, Comrade Professor Dr. Piwina from Pankshin also served as a PYC chairman. The same applied to other areas like Kanam. When you look at it, Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam, and Mangu have all had their representatives as PYC chairmen, except for Bokkos Local Government.
In recent times, during the tenure of Fabom, a man from Mangu, was the vice chairman. Currently, we have Alex Audu from Mangu Local Government serving as the central zone coordinator. However, Bokkos has not had any major positions in the past two decades. Therefore, it was decided during the meeting in Pankshin that the PYC chairmanship should go to Bokkos Local Government. We also agreed that Mangu Local Government would go for CWC and Clerk of the House, Pankshin for the coordinator, and Kanam for the assistant secretary. Everyone was satisfied with these decisions.
However, to our surprise, Alex Audu, the central zone coordinator, later expressed concerns about potential violence and disruption, which was unexpected. On the day of the meeting, despite his concerns, the meeting in Pankshin was conducted peacefully, and the decisions were upheld. Unfortunately, Alex Audu and Stanley, the chairman of Mangu Local Government Youth Council, were the only two officials who did not attend. The rest of the EXCO members, including the Secretary-General and the four chairmen of the respective local governments, were present.
The EagleEye: So, did you meet up on the two-thirds majority?_
Comrade Cash: Yes, we did meet up the two-thirds majority. However, most of the key leaders, including the Secretary-General, CWC members, and former speakers, were present. It was generally agreed that it would be unfair for Mangu to take the leadership again, considering that Professor Alex Ambe, from Mangu, was the first PYC chairman in Plateau State.
The EagleEye: Given that Alex Audu is from Mangu, do you think there's a risk of him creating problems?_
Comrade Cash: Yes, there’s a possibility, as it seems some people might be using him to undermine the Youth Council for their own personal interests.
The EagleEye: Do you think the governor is involved in this situation?_
Comrade Cash: No, the governor is not involved in this issue. He is the father of all and has always advocated for unity among the youth. The governor supports the youth and is committed to ensuring that the Youth Council elections are conducted fairly by the electoral committee.
The EagleEye: As a member of the youth, wearing the green cap of the "Time is Now" mantra, how do you think this situation might affect the local government and the youth council?_
Comrade Cash: The governor belongs to the entire state, but he is from Mangu Local Government. It would be unfair for us to have both the governor and the Youth Council chairman from Mangu, especially considering the other positions Mangu already holds. We need to ensure fairness across the state.
In an interview with Barr. Passi Ishaya, the second veteran of the PYC, he expressed his thoughts on the matter.
The EagleEye: Can we meet you?_
Barr. Passi: My name is Barrister Pasi Ishaya, and I’m from Mangu Local Government, specifically Panyam District.
The EagleEye: What do you have to say about the meeting that happened yesterday?_
Barr. Passi: It’s unfortunate that such a situation has arisen. The meeting that some people organized yesterday goes against the zoning arrangement we agreed upon last week in Pankshin. All the positions were equitably zoned to the various local governments in the central zone, and everyone was satisfied. It’s shocking to hear that another meeting was held to counter this agreement.
The EagleEye: Some are saying that the first meeting was predominantly attended by APC members. What do you say to that?_
Barr. Passi: It’s unfortunate to bring political party affiliations into this. PYC is a youth forum, not a political party. You’ll find members from all political backgrounds in PYC, as well as NGOs and other groups. Bringing politics into the youth council is just a gimmick to gain favor.
The EagleEye: Does the Plateau State government have any interest in a particular candidate for this PYC election?_
Barr. Passi: Absolutely not. The government’s only interest is for the youth to organize themselves and produce a candidate, possibly a consensus candidate, within the zone.
The EagleEye: What impact do you think the actions of a few Mwaghavul people might have, given that they already hold so many prominent positions?_
Barr. Passi: Some are trying to use this situation against the governor, but the governor is not happy about it. We must ensure that the youth council is not used to promote selfish interests. We have capable leaders in the government, like the chief of staff, who are political strategists and will ensure that the Mwaghavul youth are not put in jeopardy.
The EagleEye: As a Mwaghavul person, do you support a Bokos candidate for the PYC chairmanship?_
Barr. Passi: Absolutely, 100%. Bokos has never held this position before, and it’s their turn. Some people from Mangu are trying to twist the facts, but we will resist this attempt. The veterans from all the local governments, including Kanam and Pankshin, support the Bokos candidate.
The EagleEye: What’s your advice to those trying to cause division and prevent fairness?_
*Barr. Passi:* Mangu is very fragile, security-wise, and I appeal to my brothers to put aside any selfish interests. Let’s show fairness, justice, and peace by supporting our brothers from Bokos.
As the election date approaches, the rhetoric surrounding the issue has intensified, with accusations flying from all sides. Key figures within the PYC, including those from the central and northern zones, have expressed their concerns about the potential impact of this dispute on the unity and effectiveness of the council. There is a growing fear that if not handled properly, the situation could escalate, leading to divisions within the council that may have long-term repercussions for youth representation across Plateau State.
In an effort to address these issues, several meetings have been held to reconcile the differences and reach a consensus on the way forward. However, despite these efforts, the disagreement persists, with some parties adamant about their positions. The role of external influences, including the alleged involvement of political interests, has further complicated the situation, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for the PYC and its leadership.
The outcome of this controversy will likely have a significant impact on the PYC's ability to fulfill its mandate of representing the youth of Plateau State. As the elections near, all eyes are on the council, with hopes that a resolution can be found that respects the principles of equity, justice, and peace that have long guided the PYC.
In conclusion, the interview sheds light on the complex dynamics at play within the Plateau Youth Council as it navigates its upcoming elections. With the stakes high and emotions running deep, the outcome of this dispute will likely have significant ramifications for the council's future direction and its role in representing the diverse youth population of Plateau State.
© The Eagle Eye Publications
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