PLHA Speaker denies anti-party accusations, says it’s handiwork of political traducers
The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, PLHA, Rt Hon Abok Ayuba, has denied the accusation of anti-party activities leveled against him by some individuals within the ruling party, stressing that the allegations were the handiwork of his political opponents.
The Speaker in a statement issued on Tuesday by his media team pointed accusing fingers at some political opponents who he said were bent on giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it and hiding under the aegis of a group called the “Bigwigs of the (APC) in Plateau State,” to achieve their ulterior motive.
Abok specifically took a swipe at the call by one Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, an APC state chairmanship aspirant, for calling on him to tender an apology to the government and people of Plateau State, over his purported comments and role during the recent crisis that occurred in the Bassa/Yelwan Zangam community of the state.
According to the Speaker, his efforts towards addressing the crisis and standing by his own people as their representative in the state legislature of which he is the Speaker with a view to safeguarding the lives and properties of his constituents cannot by any stretch of imagination be regarded as a sin or a crime that can be tagged “anti-government or anti-party”.
Abok further chided his accusers for saying that he was “biting the fingers that fed him,” and described it as an “inappropriate and reckless statement that lacks substance and credibility.”
The Speaker reminded his opponents of his relentless efforts, together with other well meaning party faithfuls which brought the present administration to power.
He urged his political opponents to find a way of engaging themselves in activities that would foster unity within the party and enhance the party’s growth and progress
“We assure members of our esteemed party, the APC,of our principal’s undiluted loyalty to the APC and that Rt Hon ABOK N Ayuba remains an ardent member of the APC,” the statement added.
Periscope International recalls that Speaker Abok had stirred the hornets’ nest in the heat of the recent Jos killings when he appeared on a live television program and made some critical comments about the handling of the crisis by the state government, which was viewed in some quarters as an affront to Gov Simon Lalong.
The statement reads in full below:
lt’s pertinent to note that the Speaker,Rt Hon ABOK Ayuba has never engaged in any form of anti-party activities let alone, being in talks with another party.
But to also set the records straight, the said allegations of anti- party activities being metted against the speaker suggest some form of political undertone, driven by particular interest by some certain individuals, using a so called group coined as the “Bigwigs of the (APC) in Plateau state to achieve their Monkey Business.
However,we wish to ride on the saddle of ALHAJI ZAZZAGA’S statement where he mentioned the recent crisis that occurred within the Bassa/Yelwan Zangam axis, waging that the speaker tenders his apology to the government/people of Plateau state,particularly emphasizing on the role he(the speaker) played during the period.
The question here remains:
Does the stance of the Rt Hon Speaker towards addressing such an issue(as regards to safeguarding the lives and properties of the indigenous Plateau man) become a sin or a crime that can be tagged “anti-government or anti-party.”
Again,by standing with his people through raging storms, suggest that the Speaker against certain interest on Plateau?
Does this also translate that any person who stands with his people is/should be against the government of the day?
All this and many more are left for the court of public opinion.
Another insinuation of having facts and revelation of Rt Hon Speaker’s anti-party activities and the phrase “biting the fingers that fed him” should be seen as a misappropriate and reckless statement that lacks substance and credibility.
Rather what ought to be tendered by Ahj Zazzaga and his accomplice should have been their unreserved appreciation to the Rt Hon For his personal contribution to the APC family in Plateau state and Nigeria at large.
It should be noted that the Speaker’s relentless effort, together with other well meaning party faithfuls brought about the present administration to the fore.
We in turn wish to advice Alhj Saleh Zazzaga and his bunch of protagonist’s to find a way of engaging themselves in activities that will foster unity among our dear party and the continued growth and progress, as we assure members of our esteemed party,the APC,our principals undiluted loyalty to a teaming APC. Rt Hon ABOK N Ayuba remains an ardent member of the APC
We also wish to reetriate our principals relentless efforts in lending his voice and assistance (where necessary) in safeguarding the lives, properties and heritage of the Plateau people.
