Plateau State House of Assembly Minority Whip and member representing Pankshin North under the umbrella of Young People’s Party YPP, Dewan Gabriel has stressed the need for unity among Plateau citizens to overcome the common enemy of the state.
Dewan made the call in a statement signed by him in the face of the incessant attacks bedeviling the state and the need for unity of purpose rather than casting aspersions towards one another.
The text in full
Fellow citizens of Plateau State and indeed the good, peace-loving people of our State. We are in a very difficult moment where our strive for coexistence has been tested by the enemies of Plateau State and Nigeria by extension.
Survival has been coerced and life appears to have no value at all. My dear Brothers and Sisters, we must understand our enemy and direct our energy towards him rather than the continuous casting of aspersions on one another, making us being at variance with each other against what unites us as a people.
I, alongside others in the Plateau State House of Assembly, asked for the job of legislature as congressmen and women from the people and we were employed for the job. No doubt we assume office at a time emotions were high, especially in our State due to the security issues bedeviling us as citizens which I was caught up in it yesterday, but I must caution that it is not limited to one tribe or religion but the entire state.
It is no news that I was attacked at Panyam together with my team coming from Jos. I have read with disdain the changing narratives that have been attached to the act done by some inconsequential individuals against the background of losses meted on the communities in question.
Again, the calls have been overwhelming and I appreciate it a lot but we must as well understand the depression, psychological trauma and loss; which are both human and material that our people have gone through in the past days as citizens although not justify the attack on myself as well.
Certain concerns are going too far from the true position of what happened which is not in the best interest of democracy and governance as we promise the good people of Plateau State during our campaigns irrespective of constituency, tribe or religion.
All through my life, it has been the Mercy of God and the kindness of people that has brought me thus far. I have made friends who today have turned brothers from Mangu LGA and the Mwaghavul nation to date and nothing will jettison or justify any form of hatred for one’s tribe or group of people in my shared relationship with Mangu by the grace of God.
We must be careful not to allow small and insignificant things to become big while the big things which require our attention are not attended to and given the needed concern. The Ngas Man and the Mwaghavul Man are brothers and no one, not even politics can separate that fact or better put the wrong done by a few insignificant groups which was not targeted to me.
I want to use this medium to call for calm and peace among all tribes and the good people of Plateau State. I equally call on the Executive to intensify efforts in quick response to the needs of the Plateau citizens as it is the primary business of government; the security and welfare of the citizens must be guaranteed.
Furthermore, the Executive should be assured that the legislators are willing and open to further conversation on security should the need still exist.
I share in the pains of the people of Mangu LGA and the Mwaghavul nation in these trying times and I believe that we will triumph over our challenge. May God heal our land.
In conclusion, I must appreciate my constituents who voted for me and reposed their confidence in me as a leader. Your calls and messages are all appreciated. Colleagues and members of the State House of Assembly, thank you. We must realize that peace is priceless hence the need to uphold the same.
Signed:
Hon. Chief Amb. Dewan K. Gabriel.
Member; Pankshin North House of Assembly and Minority Whip, Plateau State.