Allegations have surfaced from the Peoples Democratic Party faction in the Jaba Local Government Area, accusing the Federal House of Representatives Member, representing Zango/Jaba Federal Constituency, Amos Gwamna, and the Jaba State House of Assembly Member, Henry Mara, of attempting to thwart the will of the people.
The Local Government Party Chairman, Jonathan Gyam, expressed dissatisfaction and even threatened to leave the party if proper procedures were not followed. His discontent stemmed from the ward congress that took place on Saturday, 27 July 2024.
During a press briefing at the state party secretariat in Kaduna on Monday, Gyam raised concerns about an alleged plan by the two lawmakers to manipulate the election outcomes. He highlighted instances of intimidation, stating, “My House of Representatives member and the State Assembly member…has been intimidating people, saying that even if we vote, they will fill in names and give forms.”
Gyam cautioned that if the current practices persist without addressing grievances, it could spell the demise of the PDP as a political entity in the Local Government Area. Emphasizing the importance of respecting the will of the people, he urged adherence to the election processes that were deemed free, fair, and credible.
He further recounted the events leading up to the congress and the lack of communication or presence from the purported committee responsible for overseeing the elections in Jaba. Gyam stressed the need for validation of their election results, which were conducted transparently and with the oversight of relevant authorities.
In response to the allegations, Henry Mara dismissed the claims, attributing them to a parallel congress taking place. He defended the consensus approach often adopted by the PDP, stating that zoning was essential for maintaining peace and mutual understanding within the community.
Mara highlighted instances of violence and disruptions during the election process, emphasizing that the people had already made their choices. He concluded by asserting that any attempt to deviate from the agreed-upon zoning arrangement would be futile.
Efforts to reach Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji for comment on the issue were unsuccessful as his lines were not reachable at the time of reporting.