Plateau Rep member set to dump PDP over rift with Jang

There are indications that the relationship between Hon. ID Gyang, member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency and his godfather, Senator Jonah David Jang has gone soar and is gradually coming to an end considering Gyang’s recent political romance and visits to some leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in an attempt to consolidate his movement to the party.

Our correspondent gathered that ID Gyang allegedly held series of meetings with Governor Simon Bako Lalong, the Secretary to the State Government, Rufus Bature and some APC stakeholders on different occasions, all in an attempt to make him see reasons why he should join the ‘progressive’ train to fight his political battle against Jang.

Source also revealed to our correspondent that another reason why Lalong and the SSG are pressing on ID Gyang to defect to the APC is to destroy the political dynasty of Jang in Berom land after succeeding in getting Barr. Edward Pwajok, a former loyalist of Jang who served for 9 years as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Jang’s cabinet and Jang was also instrumental in his winning election to represent Jos South/Jos East in the National Assembly.

Our source informed us that ID Gyang is reluctant in taking a fast decision because he is still pressing hard on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to convince Jang to step down for him for the 2019 Senatorial seat.

Advertisement

His argument and that of his supporters who allegedly nicknamed Jang “the sleeping Senator” is that Baba is too weak and not saleable to make the party attain victory.

The basic reason for the legislator’s planned movement to APC as also gathered is to secure the APC Northern Senatorial zone ticket and slog it out with Jang in the final election.

It was learnt that he believes with his performance, popularity, acceptability coupled with the state and federal structure and might, he will be able to defeat his godfather.

This political maneuvering of ID Gyang is already creating big rift between him and the former governor popularly known as Dara Jang.

Advertisement

Although on the surface, no one will believe that Jang and his godson, ID Gyang, are at war and will stop at nothing to throw banters when their paths cross at public events. But our correspondent reliably gathered that there is an ongoing cold war between the duo, mostly fought on their behalf by their political foot soldiers.

Those in the know say that the problem with both men became public early this year, when the Hon. member during his health empowerment program in Barkin Ladi allegedly hired some youths to embarrass Jang, by publicly asking him to forget contesting in 2019 and allow ID Gyang to take over.

The development was said to have stirred up an apparent anger in the former governor who managed to control his emotions. However, some fifth columnists were believed to have added more meaning to the action thus leading to them pitching tents separately with both Jang and ID Gyang.

While speaking with a PDP big wig in Jos who does not want his name mentioned, he insisted that top PDP members in the Northern zone of the state have collectively decided never to allow Jang get an automatic ticket for the Senate and if that happens they will be left with no option than to work for an alternative candidate in another political party.

Advertisement

Those loyal to Jang are accusing ID Gyang as the brain behind those plotting against Jang, “We know where the heat is coming from, we know the person sponsoring them against Dara, but we shall face them at the right time,” a strong member of Greater together, the late GNS Pwajok campaign platform told our correspondent anonymously for strategic reasons.

The media aide to ID Gyang, Mr. Chuwang Dungs when contacted to speak on the issue claimed that he is not aware of any plan by his principal to join the APC.

Chuwang insisted that there is no war between the former governor and his former permanent secretary on security matters.
He said it was wrong for any person or group of persons to say that the former governor and his political son were at loggerheads over some unresolved issues.

Chuwang who made the position while speaking to some Journalists in Jos wondered why some people would make such insinuations.

He noted, “you need to know who Barr. ID Gyang is and how he holds Baba Jang in a very high esteem. ID had on several occasions attributed his greatness in politics to Jang, So what would ignite a crisis between such persons? We need to discard such rumours,” Chuwang opined.

Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos