Nigeria Daily Post: PLATEAU NORTH EQUITY PROJECT(PNEP).
Yakubu Busari
The Plateau North Equity Project(PNEP) is a peaceful advocacy initiative of minority tribes within the Plateau North Senatorial Zone, committed to promoting equitable, fair, and just distribution of political offices across all six(6) Local Government Areas(LGAs) within the zone.
This initiative came up against the backdrop that for too long, leadership positions have been concentrated in one dominant tribe – the Berom, leaving other communities underrepresented.
This negates the principle of true democracy, which thrives on inclusion, balance, and shared responsibility. PNEP therefore, seeks to strengthen unity among minority communities, to build a common voice for inclusive representation and balanced leadership. It is purely a political initiative, devoid of any tribal or religious affiliation.
Pursuant to the above, PNEP met with the Berom nation to secure their understanding of PNEP objectives, and to cede the Plateau North Senatorial seat which they(Berom) have been enjoying along with other key positions for too long.
The meeting did not yield favourable result, and the Berom came up with so many aspirants for the Senate in the elections to hold in 2027. In view of this development, PNEP encouraged her members to also aspire for the position, from where a single Aspirant could be presented to compete favourably with aspirants from the other divide of the zone. Further to this encouragement, three(3) aspirants came out from Jos East, two(2) from Jos North and three(3) from Bassa. With eight(8) aspirants from PNEP member LGAs, PNEP leadership set out to mediate for the emergence of one aspirant.
Jos East and Jos North were asked to present one aspirant as Afizere nation, while Bassa was asked to present one aspirant as an LGA, for PNEP to mediate the selection of one aspirant. Bassa could not agree on a single choice of aspirant, while Afizere nation presented Dr. Joseph Magaji Azi mni as its sole aspirant. This however was rejected by one of the aspirant from Jos North, Prof.
Danladi Atu who alleged he was not carried along at meetings held by Afizere nation to produce a single aspirant.
He was however proven wrong with documentary evidence showing he was privy to all meetings but deliberately refused to attend.
PNEP leadership therefore, convened an enlarged meeting on Sunday 10th May, 2026 to brief members and discuss the way forward.
The meeting made the following observations, and came up with recommendations and resolutions.
OBSERVATIONS.
The meeting observed that:
PNEP leadership painstakingly held several meetings with all eight(8) aspirants to ensure that only one(1) aspirant emerged from PNEP.
PNEP leadership was completely neutral throughout her mediation efforts with aspirants and communities.
All aspirants to the House of Representatives and Senate from Afizere nation had a platform through which they communicate on all issues relating to their aspirations, including notices of meetings within them and outside.
Afizere nation has a political committee under the Afizere Cultural and Community Development Association(ACCDA).
This committee met with all senatorial aspirants before coming out with Dr. Joseph Magaji Azi mni as Afizere nation sole aspirant.
There are documentary evidence indicating Prof. Danladi Atu was invited to meetings convened by Afizere nation to select her sole aspirant, and he was privy to such meetings.
Bassa LGA could not agree on a single aspirant to present to PNEP.
Afizere nation initially communicated her resolution on choice of aspirant to PNEPÂ verbally through Engr. Tanko Azi, a participant at the meeting.
This was followed by a letter in the affirmative, endorsed by Chairman of the Afizere Political Committee, Amb. Ibrahim Pada Kasai on 30/04/2026.
Bassa LGA had produced two (2) senators in the past.
One of the senatorial aspirants had shut out communication with PNEP leadership.
All three(3) aspirants from Bassa and two(2) from Afizere nation had purchased nomination forms and gone for screening.
Since we are in a democracy, aspirants cannot be forced to step down.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Based on the observations made, PNEP enlarged meeting recommended that:
PNEP leadership be commended for standing firm to the objectives of PNEP, and its neutrality in mediating with aspirants and engaging with the communities.
Despite the fact that the five(5) aspirants from Afizere nation and Bassa had purchased nomination forms and gone for screening, the doors for negotiations among themselves and with PNEP leadership should remain open.
The aspirant that shut communication with PNEP leadership should not be reckoned with in further discussions/negotiations.
Having produced two (2) senators in the past, Bassa LGA should be persuaded to cede aspiration for the seat to Afizere nation.
The report of Afizere nation to PNEP leadership, selecting Dr. Joseph Magaji Azi mni as her sole aspirant be accepted.
Recommendations 4 and 5 be raised as a motion and put to vote.
At the end of deliberations, recommendation 6 was agreed upon. A motion was moved and put to vote, for and against. The motion reads: “Afizere nation report presented to PNEP selecting Dr. Joseph Magaji Azi mni as its sole aspirant be accepted, and Bassa LGA be persuaded to cede senatorial aspiration to Afizere nation”. Proponents of the motion got thirty eight(38) votes, while opponents got five(5) votes.
RESOLUTIONS.
The meeting thus arrived at the following resolutions:
1. Dr. Joseph Magaji Azi mni is the sole aspirant from the Afizere nation.
2. Bassa LGA be persuaded to step down Plateau North Senatorial aspiration for Afizere nation.
3. All member communities of PNEP should go out and canvas for votes for PNEP aspirant across the entire Plateau North Senatorial Zone.
4. PNEP advocacy/sensitization across LGAs(Bassa, Jos East, Jos North) should resume immediately.
5. Pursuit of inclusivity by PNEP should be sustained, and should include appointive positions at all levels of government.
