2023 Presidency: Give South/East a chance – Lawmaker

From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
The member of the House of Representatives for Riyom/Barkinladi Federal constituency, Hon. Simon Mwadkwon Fwet has call on Nigerians to support the presidential ambition of any South East candidate that might emerge in the 2023 Presidential race.
Hon Mwadkwon made the appeal in an interview with Journalists in Jos Plateau state.
According to the lawmaker, the South East geopolitical zone have been marginalized from ruling Nigeria and must be made to feel that they belong to the federation.
“For justice and equality, come 2023 Presidential election, South East zone should be given the chance to rule this country. If we still maintain one Nigeria as a country, let all geopolitical zones be treated equally on all aspects” he said.
He call on politicians from the South/West zone who are nursing the ambition for 2023 presidency to have a rethink and support South Eastern region.
Speaking on the renewed killings within his constituency, Hon Mwadkwon revealed that most of his constituents are still living in IDP’s camps, contrary to insinuation by government that all IDP’s in Plateau state have been resettled in their homes.
“As we speak, there are people who where displaced by Fulani herdsmen, and are still living in primary school buildings.
“It sad to note that some strange Fulani herdsmen have built house in Gashiks where 300 people were killed in 2018, and indigenous people of the area who are my constituents are not allowed to go back to their homes, anyone who try relocating get killed.
“The pledge of 10billion naira made to the victims by the presidency in 2018 to resettle internally displaced persons when vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited the scene of the attack have not been redeemed till date, two years after the incident.
“Also, the promise of building a mobile police Barack at Gashiks by the same presidency is still pending after several appeals we made written” he said.
It will be recalled that Plateau state government had said it resettled IDP’s in December 2019 before Christmas celebration.
Hon Mwadkwon expressed disappointment in the way and manner suspected gunmen who have been arrested are released without prosecution.
He said none of the hundreds of persons arrested in connection with Plateau unrest since 2001, have been made to face justice and brought to book.
On the agitation of the federal government sponsored (Waterways bill) the member representing Riyom/Barkinladi federal constituency said the bill have been rejected by the house of representatives, according to him, the bill is anti people.
“Assuming the bill is passed into law, no individual or state government has the right to use lands near waterways. People whose livelihood depends around waterways will have to vacate” he said.
He said the bill seek to displace people from their traditional homes, and also hinder state government from having ownership of lands as its stipulated in the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
The lawmaker explained that waterways bill is capable of Igniting another round of civil war in Nigeria, because several Nigerians could be sent packing from their homes and farm lands.
The legislator told Journalists that ongoing construction of a railway from Nigeria to link neighboring Niger republic is at detriment of Nigerian economy, because it has no economic value to the development of any part the country.