By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yangtu Special Development Area (SDA) chapter of Taraba State, has dismissed allegations against the state party PRO, Hon. Irammae Andetarang, regarding the nomination of the SDA Coordinator.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Area PDP Chairman, Hon. Sabo Shamaki, and the Taraba South Zonal Woman Leader, Ladi Danjuma, the party described as “falsehood” the claims that the state PDP PRO unilaterally manipulated the appointments of the Yangtu SDA Coordinator, Deputy, and Secretary.
The statement stressed that the appointments followed due process as required by the law governing Special Development Areas.
“The attention of the PDP leadership in Yangtu Special Development Area has been drawn to a faceless and mischievous publication under the name of Concerned Yangtu Youths over the appointment of Coordinator, Deputy, and Secretary.
Ordinarily, such a baseless piece of propaganda would not deserve a response. However, in order to prevent members of the public from being misled by falsehoods, we wish to state clearly that the claims against Hon. Irammae Andetarang, the State PDP PRO, are false. They are the handiwork of mischief makers targeted at tarnishing his good image,” the statement read.
The party explained that the appointments were made through wide consultations, in line with the established zoning formula.
“The law governing Yangtu SDA recognizes four villages: Jenuwa Kogi, Kwambai, Jenuwa Gida, and Bika, and key offices rotate among these villages. In 2022, Jenuwa Gida produced the Coordinator; this year, it was the rightful turn of Jenuwa Kogi community.
After extensive consultations with party executives, traditional rulers, youths, and the PDP Elders Forum, Hon. Joel Rimamscap was unanimously chosen as Coordinator, alongside the Deputy Coordinator and Secretary from other villages.
Their nominations received the endorsement of major stakeholders in the area, including the signatures of Kwe Emmanuel Ikoti of Kwambai Chiefdom and HRH Joshua Samari of Bika Chiefdom, before being forwarded to the state government,” the PDP clarified.
Describing the allegations as “reckless fabrications,” the party maintained that the process was transparent and not the handiwork of one individual.
“The attempt to paint this transparent process as the work of one individual is not only false but mischievous. The claims that Hon. Andetarang Irammae single-handedly submitted names are reckless fabrications aimed at sowing disunity and tarnishing the image of respected leaders,” it stated.
The PDP stakeholders urged the public to disregard the publication by the so-called Concerned Yangtu Youths, warning those hiding under anonymity to desist from what it called propaganda driven by failed politicians.
The statement also refuted claims that the PDP’s success in Kwambai Village during the last election was due to Mrs. Hauwa Kwena rather than Hon. Andetarang.
“It is equally laughable that the faceless group credited PDP’s performance in Kwambai Village to Mrs. Hauwa Kwena. Official INEC records show that Mrs. Hauwa only delivered 31 votes for the PDP in her polling unit, while Hon. Andetarang delivered over 1,000 votes in his area.
We also wish to state that Mrs. Kwena is not a member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC). She was elected Deputy National Women Leader at a time but was later removed and replaced by Hon. Tina Musa,” the statement added.
