Minority ethnic groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau North Senatorial District, under the umbrella of the Plateau North Equity Project (PNEP), have alleged political marginalization within the zone and called for the deputy governorship position to be ceded to one of the minority tribes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Jos, the leader of the group, Evangelist Arum Daniel Izang, a former Chairman of Jos East Local Government Area, said the majority ethnic group in the zone has consistently occupied virtually all key political offices under the APC since the return of democratic governance in 1999.
Izang stated that the only major political office yet to be occupied by the majority group is the office of the deputy governor. He therefore appealed to APC stakeholders to consider a qualified candidate from any of the minority ethnic nationalities in Plateau North for the position, noting that it is the turn of the Northern Senatorial District to produce the state’s deputy governor.
According to him, the offices of Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, and APC State Chairman are currently occupied by members of the Berom ethnic group, the majority tribe in Plateau North Senatorial District.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that a political landscape is emerging where the same advantaged community in the Northern Zone is strategically positioned to occupy the Deputy Governorship, the Senate seat, the State Party Chairmanship, and two out of the three House of Representatives seats under the APC banner,” he said.
Izang expressed concern that the outcome of the recent APC primary elections in Plateau State has heightened fears among minority ethnic groups in Plateau North.
He said, “The events surrounding the recent APC primary elections in Plateau State have left many party faithful, especially among the minority ethnic nationalities of Plateau North, deeply concerned. As preparations begin for the 2027 general elections, the proverbial goose that laid the golden egg appears destined to return home empty-handed.”
He further stressed that the Plateau North Equity Project firmly believes that the minority ethnic nationalities of the zone deserve fairness, justice, inclusion, and recognition for their unwavering commitment to the APC.
“For years, these communities have provided the electoral backbone of the party in Plateau North and arguably across Plateau State. Yet, when it comes to elective positions, the goose that lays the golden egg is repeatedly neglected and made to watch from the sidelines,” he added.
Izang also recalled that the minority ethnic groups played a significant role in the formation and growth of the APC into a formidable political force in Plateau State, particularly during the struggle to preserve the rotational governorship arrangement in 2015.
The Plateau North Senatorial District comprises six local government areas: Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Jos North, Jos East, and Bassa.
