Yakubu Busari,Jos
Governor Lalong
A Commissioner nominee from Jos North Local Government, Mrs Ana Izang threw members the Plateau House of Assembly into a state of shock when she confirmed her unalloyed support for opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Members were screening the All Progressive Congress (APC) commissioner nominees on Monday when Izang who appeared before the lawmakers owed up to an allegation that she had been working for the victory of PDP in the now postponed Local Government poll, earlier scheduled to hold on February 17.
The Plateau State Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, had announced the postponement on the grounds of insecurity, pledging to announce a new date when peace returns to the state.
Our correspondent gathered that when members sought her reaction on the allegation, she said “ I will work for the PDP victory during forthcoming LG and presidential election as scheduled”.
She vehemently told the leadership of the Assembly of her plan to mobilise the grassroots support which triggered members attention and in the ensuing confusion, the Assembly leadership quickly begged the electronic media present not to air this obviously embarrassing part of the statement that exposed the intention of the commissioner nominee.
According to our source who was present at the screening exercise that took place in the presence of many party stalwarts at the Assembly complex, the anti-party activity on her part drew condemnation from all of those present. But no one, understandably was ready to discuss more after the hearing. The source however disclosed that Izang did not withdraw her statement.
Fortunately for her, she got what she wanted, the portfolio of Commissioner for Women Affairs.
In a swift reaction to the controversy being generated by her admission, a group called the Concerned Elders of Izere nation has said she obviously made a slip which should not be used to crucify her.
“Mrs Anna Izang is a responsible household wife whose contribution has spurred her to the position that she will contribute tremendously to the development of Izere nation and Plateau people,” said the group in a statement.
Commending Governor Simon Lalong for the choice of Mrs Anna Izang, they described her “as a grassroots mobiliser” and faulted “those who want to use the opportunity to discredit the personality of Mrs Anna Izang when she overwhelmingly pronounced APC without her realising that she is calling PDP, should desist” .
The group used the platform to congratulated the commissioners nominee across the 17 local government councils of Plateau state for being ambassador of their communities that can effect change to the rural development of Plateau and Nigeria.
