SOUTH PLATEAU STATE

MOVEMENT FOR THE CREATION OF SOUTH PLATEAU STATE

OUT OF THE PRESENT PLATEAU STATE.

C/O No. 1 Liberty Boulevard, Bauchi Bye-Pass,

P.O. Box 6949, Jos, Plateau State.

Our Ref: MCSPS/PR/VOL.1/03                                                    Date:  23rd October 2014

             PRESS   RELEASE

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 23^RD OCTOBER 2014.

PREAMBLE.

The stakeholders of the MOVEMENT FOR THE CREATION OF SOUTH PLATEAU STATE (MCSPS) out of the present Plateau State held a meeting on Thursday, 23^rd October, 2014 in Jos and reviewed its mission and objectives as well as the political journey and developments so far, for the common good of the citizens, and noted and resolved as follows:

A.              NOTED:

1.            That to date, the documentations and the statistical requirements and analysis provided by the movement justifying the creation of the proposed state in line with section 8 a, (ii), (ii) and (iii) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria continues to remain one of the best demands among similar requests by other groups in various parts of the country.

2.            That our presentation to the National Assembly Committee on State Creation in North Central Zone at Makurdi, Benue State on 12^th November 2012 received the best accolade not only from the State Creation Committee but all other groups that made similar requests in various parts of the Zone as ours stood out as the best demand.

3.            With deep appreciation, the continuous understanding and support of vast majority of our brothers and sisters and other stake holders in the Northern Senatorial Zone in this noble objective, which they too believe would bring growth, development and prosperity to the old and new States.

4.            That the caucus of the MCSPS kept the demand alive at the National Conference in Abuja for the most part of the 2014 through constant liaison with our worthy ambassadors in the persons of General J.T. Useni, CFR, mni, (The Sardauna Plateau and Nasarawa States), Distinguished Senator Alhaji Ibrahim N. Mantu (former Deputy Senate President), Rt. Hon. Professor D. G. Shown (Former Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly) and Brigadier General J. Temlong, along with the good friends of the movement from the South-South, South-East, South-West and North-Central geo-political zones.

5.            The briefing by the Chairman of the Movement, General Useni, that due to the untiring efforts of the aforementioned Ambassadors, the proposed South Plateau State requests was among those that were approved and listed by the Sub- Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Governance and which was published by several national newspapers to the delight of our people.

6.            The shocking news that due to the very uncharitable pressure and interference by a leading political figure in Plateau State in collaboration with a few unpatriotic confab delegates from Plateau State and the bad influence of the self-acclaimed leaders of the Middle Belt at the Confab to remove the name of South Plateau State from the compiled approved list of requests for the creation of additional states in the country.

7.            That in spite of these challenges, the leadership of the MCSPS is not daunted or discouraged. Efforts and pressures are still being mounted on all concerned until we achieve our dreams in this regard.

8.            With gratification that the proposed amendments of the Constitution being currently championed at the National Assembly have listed the creation of states among items to be amended. We also noted with delight that the first process would involve amending the Constitution to make the exercise less cumbersome and feasible; followed by a general referendum that would test the true desire and will of the people. In this regard our case will therefore be re-ignited at the National Assembly.

9.            The MCSPS reiterate its philosophy of agitation for a new State as being anchored on growth, development and prosperity for the new emerging and old States, rather than the misconception that some perceived detractors, both in our zone and at the state levels, have and are determined to kill the dream. We believe that in the nearest future, the verdict of History and posterity will eventually vindicate the just and patriotic struggle.

10.       Views with concern and with amused incredulity the uncouth and insolent public announcement on the media by the State EXCO of the ruling PDP, disclaiming and warning prominent elder Statesmen and Politicians to desist forthwith from using the Party’s name and logo in parading themselves as members and aspirants to various elective positions until after the primaries. We sincerely believe that a Political Party in a democratic dispensation is not a personal property of any individual. By virtue of the Nigeria Constitution, every Citizen has the irrefutable and fundamental right to belong to any political party or Association of his/her choice. For the Common good, we advise that politics must, generally, be practiced with morality rather than impunity and ludicrous vanity and seeming lost of touch with realities of party governance and administration.

B.                 RESOLVED

1.                  That the movement supports in totality the zoning of the position of GOVERNOR to the Southern Senatorial Zone, which has been the political practice since 1999, whether written or not. While we appreciate that it is not written, we noted that even in the recently concluded National Conference, the ideal of zoning (Presidential, Gubernatorial positions, etc) was unanimously endorsed and brought into sharp focus in line with practice of politics with morality. The movement rejects any attempt to shift the goal post mid-way under the disguise of starting the zoning from the Northern Senatorial Zone where the present regime would stop. The meeting therefore resolved that every citizen in the proposed South Plateau State should choose a Governor of their choice from the Southern Senatorial Zone in 2015. This will ensure equity, justice and fair play and promote peaceful co-existence in Plateau State.

2.                  The Movement once again appreciates the deep understanding and support of vast majority of patriotic citizen in the Northern Senatorial Zone that the Governorship slot goes to the Southern Senatorial Zone.

3.                  The movement noted in particular the patriotic zeal and disposition of Hon. Bitrus Kaze (Member House of Representative Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency). Hon. Kaze has publicly declared that for equity and justice the governorship slot in 2015 should be zoned to the Southern Senatorial Zone. We also noted with pleasure that there are more groups and individuals in the Northern Zone who share Hon. Kaze’s views and have promised to demonstrate this practically in 2015 by supporting governorship aspirant from the Southern Senatorial Zone.

4.                  The movement calls on all Political Party EXCOs, including the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in the State to declare the same position of the Governorship slot going to the Southern Zone to douse the unnecessary political tension that is currently irritating citizens in Plateau State. The meeting also resolved that any political party that does not zone the governorship slot to the Southern Senatorial Zone in 2015 should expect a colossal defeat in the governorship election as had happened in the past by the collective resolve of the people.

5.                  The Movement applauded the briefings received from the Equity and Justice Group as well as the Plateau Equity Forum, which subsequently agreed to harmonize under the broad banner of Movement for the Creation of South Plateau State. The Movement therefore called on all similar groups and fora to come forward and join the bandwagon for better effectiveness and sustainable mobilization.

6.                  The Movement reiterated its absolute confidence in the leadership of General J.T. Useni. It also commended the zeal and dexterity of the teeming Members of the MCSPS that in spite of the fact that individuals belong to different political parties, they have remained united, without acrimony and are determined to uphold the ideals for the common good in terms of good governance, justice and peace.

7.                  Above all, the Movement resolved to cooperate with all tiers of Government (State, Local and Federal) and to assiduously promote democratic ideals, devoid of dictatorial tendencies and imposition of candidates. In this respect, it also resolved to actively indulge in advocacy of mutual coexistence and trust as well as free and fair elections, being essential ingredients for justice, peace and sustainable development.

Long Live Movement for the Creation of South Plateau State.

Long Live Plateau State.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sir Professor John W. Wade, Ph.D. (Stirling, U.K.), KSM, mni

Secretary of the Movement, Harmonization

And Technical Committees.

Thursday, 23rd October, 2014.