Jonah David Jang

Last updated

His Excellency
Jonah David Jang
CON
Senator for Plateau North
In office
9 June 2015 –9 June 2019
Preceded by Joshua Dariye
Succeeded by Simon Lalong
Military service
AllegianceFlag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Air Force emblem.svg Nigerian Airforce
Years of service1965–1990
Rank Air Commodore

Jonah David Jang CON (born 13 March 1946) is a Nigerian military officer and politician who served as the senator representing the Plateau North senatorial district from 2015 to 2019. He previously served as the governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015, and as military governor of Benue and Gongola States. [2] [3]

Contents

In 2015, Jang ran and won the Plateau North senatorial district seat as his term as governor drew to a close. [4] In 2018, Jang declared his senate seat vacant and said it was time for the people of Plateau North to decide who would represent them at the red chamber. [5] [6] Jang was at the time making a nocturnal political consultations to run for the presidential ticket of the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 presidential election.

He was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the days that preceded the second military to civilian transfer of power in 1999 ushering the Nigerian Fourth Republic. [7]

In the new millennium democratic dispensation for which Jang had so much fought to wrest power from the military, he made an unsuccessful run for the governorship of Plateau State in an election which was marred by alleged forms of irregularities and malpractices on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party. Initially, he had sought the PDP governorship nomination prior in 1999 but lost after which he decamped to the opposition ANPP to make yet another run for governorship again that was to prove futile. According to an ally James Vwi, Jang was already considering and making a series of consultations on running for the Nigerian Senate to represent Plateau North senatorial district shortly before his opportune moment came. He was able to craft a powerful alliance with a number of political big wigs while mobilising an incredible amount of funds and put up a fight in the Plateau PDP gubernatorial primary election of 2006 which he won.

Jang is a native Berom and is a proponent of massive infrastructural development. During his tenure as Governor of Plateau State, some of his achievements included: road construction through the length and breadth of the state, rehabilitation of public water supply, agricultural partnership program between the state and Israeli experts (ASTC) and in environmental sanitation to mention a few. As Governor, Jang embarked on a thorough purge of the Plateau State Civil Service ridding it of unwanted corrupt elements mostly in the form of ghost workers. He is regarded by many as having recorded achievements comparable only to those of the very first Governor of the state, Police Commissioner Joseph Gomwalk. He has a lot of experience in military and security matters which owes to his prudent management of the Tiv/Jukun crisis during his tenure as Military Governor of the old Gongola State.

In a trial widely dismissed as a political witch hunt, Jang was in 2018 arraigned in the Plateau State High Court of justice, Jos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud to the tune of 6.3 billion naira of Plateau State funds when he was Governor of the state. [8] [9] [10]

While the citizenry having enjoyed a period of relative plenty and stability from May 2007 to May 2015 when Jang handed over the reins of power, contended the credibility of the trial, on 16 May 2018 he was remanded in Jos prison after his application for bail was declined by the court. [11]

On 28 August 2018 Jang formally declared his interest to run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Plateau State PDP secretariat. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

Background

Jonah David Jang was born on 13 March 1946 in Du, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. In 1965 he enlisted as an Air Force Officer Cadet at the Military Training School in Kaduna. He was given flight training at Uetersen in West Germany (1965–1966) and further training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1969 and promoted to lieutenant in 1970. He attended a course on Supply Operations Training (Logistics) in Denver, Colorado, United States and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1972, major in 1975 and wing commander in 1978, serving in most of the Nigerian air formations during this period. [18]

During the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida he served as Military Governor of Benue State from August 1985 to August 1986, then as Military Governor of Gongola State from August 1986 to December 1987. [2]

He voluntarily retired from the Nigeria Air Force in 1990. Jonah Jang took a Bachelor of Divinity Degree at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (2000–2002). In 2007, he successfully contested the governorship election in Plateau State on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). [18] He ran successfully for reelection on 26 April 2011. [19]

Legacy

In the waning days of his second tenure as chief executive of Plateau State, Jonah Jang sought for a successor to carry on with his legacy of infrastructural development and governmental reforms and his eyes fell on the astute Gyang Pwajok who was at the time completing the term of the late Senator Gyang Dantong in the Senate. Gyang Pwajok was young, intellectual and virile and was thought to be the most suitable for the job. He was a bridge between the old and young generations and was very representative of a proper transition from the gerontocracy to a new epoch in the political history of the state. However, certain villain and unpatriotic forces then spearheaded by Jang's predecessor and long time rival Joshua Dariye began to propagandise the population against a Berom back to back leadership of the state. They campaigned on the pretextual premise that having had two governors that both served 8 year tenures from the central senatorial district and the northern senatorial district respectively, since the advent of the Nigerian Fourth Republic it was only proper that a zoning of the gubernatorial office be instituted in the state thus the seat be zoned this time to the southern senatorial district of the state. And so they rallied all the minority tribes of the state and conspired an overthrow with little consideration for the personality and score card of the aspiring successor in the opposition. The Beroms (from which Gyang Pwajok came) and other well-meaning citizens aligned with good governance went to the polls and helped Pwajok poll enough numbers to clinch the vote. However, other forces at large were at play and managed to tip the scales in favour of Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and he was announced the winner of the election. Simon Lalong was a long time protégé of Joshua Dariye and served as speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly when Dariye was governor of the state.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plateau State</span> State of Nigeria

Plateau State is the twelfth largest Nigerian state. It is located near the centre of Nigeria and includes a range of hills surrounding the Jos Plateau, its capital, and the entire plateau itself. Plateau State is described as "The Home of Peace and Tourism". With natural formations of rocks, hills and waterfalls, it derives its name from the Jos Plateau and has a population of around 4.7 million people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullahi Adamu</span> Nigerian politician, Governor of Nasarawa State

Abdullahi Adamu is a Nigerian politician who was the governor of Nasarawa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is a member and former national chairman of the ruling Party All Progressives Congress (APC).

Joshua Chibi Dariye is a Nigerian politician who served as the senator representing the Plateau Central senatorial district from 2011 to 2019. He previously served as the governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2004; 2004 to 2006; and from April to May 2007.

The Berom is one of the largest autochthonous ethnic group in Plateau State, central Nigeria. Covering about four local government areas, which include Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi (Gwol) and Riyom. Berom people are also found in some southern Kaduna State local government areas like Fadan Karshe with Berom settlers tracing their origins to Za'ang (Zawan) a Berom district on the Jos Plateau. They emigrated during the British Colonial Government of Nigeria. A large number of this tribe, if not all, are Christians. Statistics also have it that a large number of the population of Plateau State is made up of Berom people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Botmang</span> Nigerian politician (1938–2014)

Chief Michael Botmang was a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Plateau State from 2006 to 2007, following the impeachment of Joshua Dariye. He served as deputy governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2004; 2004 to 2006; and from April to May 2007 under Dariye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Jos riots</span> Riots in Nigeria

The 2008 Jos riots were riots involving Christians and Muslims over the result of a local election on 28 and 29 November 2008 in Jos, a city in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. Two days of rioting left hundreds injured and at least 761 dead. The Nigerian army was deployed and by 30 November order was restored.

Riyom is a Local Government Area in Plateau State, Nigeria. It was carved out of the old Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on 1 October 1996 by the government of General Sani Abacha. It is headquartered in the town of Riyom to the north of the area at 9°38′00″N8°46′00″E.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Dungs</span> Nigerian soldier, statesman and industrialist

John David Dungs was a Nigerian Army colonel who served as Military Administrator of Delta State from August 1996 until August 1998 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha. He had also served as acting Military Administrator of Oyo State from 1994 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solomon Lar</span> Nigerian politician (1933–2013)

Chief (Dr.) Solomon Daushep Lar was a Nigerian politician who has held various offices at the National level for over 50 years. He was a member of the first national parliament when Nigeria gained independence in 1960. He was elected governor of Plateau State on the Nigerian People's Party (NPP) platform during the Nigerian Second Republic, holding office from October 1979 until the Military coup of 31 December 1983 that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power. Later, he was founding chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Hon Damishi Tonson Sango was appointed Nigerian Minister of Sports in the first cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo, holding office between June 1999 and January 2001. He was a challenger to become the People's Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Plateau State in 1999 and 2007, and ran for Plateau State governor on the Alliance for Democracy (AD) platform in 2003.

Lawrence Anebi Onoja was the military governor of Plateau State, Nigeria from 1986 to July 1988 and then of Katsina State until December 1989 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He later became Principal Staff Officer to General Sani Abacha, before being arrested for alleged involvement in a coup attempt. He retired from the army in 1998, and after the return to democracy in May 1999 with the Nigerian Fourth Republic entered into politics.

Satty Davies Gogwim was a Nigerian politician who served as Senator for Plateau Central Senatorial District from 5 June 2007 to 6 June 2011. He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Victor Rampyal Lar is a Nigerian politician who was elected Senator for the Plateau South constituency of Plateau State, Nigeria in the April 2011 national elections. Lar ran on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

Gyang Nyam Shom Pwajok was a Nigerian politician and a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Pwajok was the youngest national Senator during the upper chamber's 7th Assembly, which was in session from 2011 to 2015. He was the 2015 PDP candidate for Governor of Plateau State, but narrowly lost the Plateau gubernatorial election to Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress on April 11, 2015.

Simon Bako Lalong is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who has served as the senator representing the Plateau South senatorial district since 2023. He previously served as the minister of labour and employment in 2023, and as the governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023.

The 2015 Plateau State gubernatorial election occurred on April 11, 2015. APC's Simon Lalong won election for a first term, defeating Gyang Pwajok of the PDP and four minor party candidates. Lalong won in 11 LGAs, receiving 51.83% of the vote, while Pwajok won the remaining six of the 17 LGAs of the state, receiving 47.76% of the total votes, trailing behind Lalong with 44,386 votes margin.

The 2003 Taraba State gubernatorial election occurred on April 19, 2003. PDP candidate Jolly Nyame won the election, defeating ANPP Abubakar Saad and other 6 candidates.

The 2003 Plateau State gubernatorial election occurred on April 19, 2003. Incumbent Governor PDP's Joshua Dariye won election for a second term, defeating ANPP's Jonah David Jang and AD's Damishi Sango.

The 2023 Plateau State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Plateau State, concurrent with elections to the Plateau State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Simon Lalong is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Plateau State</span> 2023 Senate elections in Plateau

The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Plateau State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Plateau State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Dr Jonah David Jang assumed office as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF)". 25 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Nigerian States". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "A VOICE OF COURAGE ON THE PLATEAU". THISDAYLIVE. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Governor Jang Wins Plateau North Senatorial Seat". Channels Television. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "Jang opts out, declares his Senate seat vacant from 2019". Vanguard News. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Nwachukwu, John Owen (10 August 2018). "Plateau 2019: Jang declares his senatorial seat 'vacant, says he won't run again'". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "Board of Trustees (BoT) – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)". Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Pic.7.-EFCC-arraigns-former-Gov.-Jonah-Jang-in-Jos". TVC News Nigeria. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "Alleged N6.3bn fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-Governor Jonah Jang, cashier". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "Alleged N6.3bn fraud: My statement indicting ex-governor Jang taken under duress – Ex-cashier". 10 April 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "Ex-Governor Jonah Jang remanded in prison - Premium Times Nigeria". 16 May 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  12. ↑ "Former Plateau Gov Jonah Jang Joins 2019 Presidential Race". Channels Television. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "Accused of diverting N6bn Plateau funds, Jonah Jang wants to be Nigeria's President". 28 August 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  14. ↑ "Jang joins race for presidency". Vanguard News. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "2019: Former Plateau governor, Jonah Jang declares presidential ambition". Punch Newspapers. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  16. ↑ Jannah, Chijioke (22 August 2018). "2019: Ex-governor Jonah Jang joins presidential race". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "I want to be president – Jonah Jang declares". The Sun Nigeria. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  18. 1 2 "Governor Jonah David Jang of Plateau State". Nigeria Governors' Forum. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  19. ↑ Bunmi Awolusi (29 April 2011). "Kaduna, Bauchi hold peaceful elections". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on 2 May 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.