Contest for Lalong’s Ministerial Seat Intensifies Amid Zoning Agitation

• Intensified battle for Minister of Labour and Employment position in Plateau, with growing calls for zoning, particularly towards Plateau Central Senatorial District
• APC members advocate for equity, citing historical distribution of ministerial positions and emphasizing Plateau Central Senatorial District’s consideration

The battle for the vacant Minister of Labour and Employment position, anticipated with the reported resignation plan of former Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong, has intensified. As contenders emerge, there is growing agitation for the zoning of the position, particularly towards the Plateau Central Senatorial District.

Several groups and individuals in the state are putting forward candidates for the ministerial position. Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are advocating for zoning in the ministerial appointment from the state. The predominant view favors the Plateau Central Senatorial District, arguing that equity demands consideration for the zone.

Campaigners highlight the historical distribution of ministerial positions in the state. During President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years, both ministers, Solomon Dalung and Dame Pauline Tallen, hailed from Plateau Southern Senatorial zone. Advocates for zoning to the Plateau Central Senatorial District emphasize that the Southern zone has enjoyed ministerial slots five times from 1999.

APC members supporting zoning argue that the Northern Senatorial District has also had four ministerial slots, and for equity, the Central zone should be considered. They note that since 1999, only Amb. Bagudu Hirse, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has benefitted from a ministerial position from the state.

Former House of Reps member Alphonsus Komsol has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging the appointment of a new minister from the Plateau Central senatorial zone for equity. Komsol emphasized the importance of considering the Central Zone, which he described as having major APC financiers and founding fathers, as well as die-hard political supporters of the president.

The ministerial campaign has taken a new turn with the entrance of prominent figures into the race, including Joseph Ari, the immediate past Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Professor Sonni-Gwanle Tyoden, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Yakubu Taddy, former Commissioner of Land and Survey, and Muhammad Nazifi, former Commissioner of Information.