Dr Nentawe Yiwatda
By Dogo Nanzing
So, the new propaganda being peddled by the APC is that our ministerial nominee from Plateau, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda is being targeted by the state government with the intention of sabotaging his ministerial screening at the senate. The APC are alledging that Gov. Mutfwang is lobbying senators to sabotage Nentawe nomination.
I have successfully resisted the temptation of joining what I term a senseless debate about Nentawe’s nomination as minister, It is no secret that the ministerial nomination will naturally go to the APC and if anything, I was worried that it took this long for Plateau to have her slot filled. Just because I did not support Nentawe for Governor doesn’t mean I am opposed to him holding the ministerial positions.
One couldn’t help but give a hearty laugh when I saw some people come online as usual to arrogate to themselves the title of the “god of men” they claim to have made Nentawe minister but in this case, at least, four APC bigwigs are all claiming credit. Funny enough, they each had their preferred candidates for Minister.
It is well known to keen observers in the political space that there are visible cracks on the walls of the APC in the state, one man’s voice stood over and above the voice of many senior members of the APC and that voice has courted the wrath of many big names within the party, while the rift has been playing on the downlow, coming months will prove to be entertaining and interesting.
If the APC big wigs in the state are on the same page, there would have been a concensus list and the only name on the list would have been that of Nentawe. This would have suggested the unity of the party and it would have been easier for the president to nominate a ministerial candidate from Plateau.
Let’s take a quick look at the intrigues that characterized the nomination of the Plateau Ministerial nominee.
First on the list, the owner and chief political godfather of Plateau APC who also is one of my political mentors, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi Made a strong case for his kinsman, Prof. Sale Mohammed.
Lalong on the other hand favored the immediate past DG of ITF, Hon. Joe Ari for the position
The smooth operator in the APC, Hon. Idris Maje opted for Mr Festus Fuanter.
Funny how of a sudden, everyone of these people is claiming to be the one who made Nentawe Minister.
The question we should be asking right now is why it took so long for Plateau to have a minister almost a year after Lalong left the position… Could it be that the interest by Key members of the APC is responsible for the delay?
It is my understanding that as part of the criteria for one to be nominated as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, such person must have the nod of 2 senators from his state, in this case, the APC has Sen. Diket Plang from the Central Zone, same zone with the ministerial nominee and Sen Lalong from the Southern Zone.
How then can any reasonable mind come online and say Mutfwang is lobbying senators not to allow Nentawe’s nomination to be confirmed? Are the APC trying to tell us that Mutfwang is in connivance with Lalong or Diket Plang to sabotage Nentawe nomination? Is the Governor so influential even within the ranks of the APC that these guys have become jittery?
APC should keep PDP and the state government out of their wahalla, we are aware that the big names in Plateau APC are working tirelessly to sabotage each other at the national level.
We know the underground power play at work, Nentawe is no longer the unifying interest these guys have as the dynamics of the game has changed from what it was in 2023.
Plateau should watch out for the drama that will happen before, during and after the APC state congresses next year. For a party that has never conducted election even in the the selection of her state Exco, and now out of power in the state, hell is about to let lose.
Finally, Nentawe is not and can NEVER be a threat to Mutfwang… Not in 2023 nor would he be 2027. It’s absolutely ridiculous to suggest that Mutfwang is planning to sabotage Nentawe.
In contrast to Nentawe, Mutfwang has never wished the junior GOSA ill, despite the junior GOSA role in his travail, he has always had a forgiving heart towards all. If for any reason there’s a problem with Nentawe screening, the APC should have themselves to blame.
Dogo Nanzing is a Plateau PDP chieftain
