By Katdapba Yunana Gobum
The struggle to win the Plateau Central Senatorial District seat has never been an easy one, considering the diversity of the zone.
There are some who think otherwise about this! We shall get to know why.
Those who eventually wore the diadem in the past did not have it easy. They all have a story to tell about what they went through to get the mandate of the people of the district.
The history of the intensed political struggle by the different political parties since the Second Republic, cannot therefore be easily wished away. Perhaps, we may have a clearer picture of what had transpired since then.
Our Bearing Since 2023
Let's take our bearing from the 2023 general elections and examine the chances of the gladiators who are currently traversing the district to sell their aspirations to the people.
It must be stated: And it is a known fact; Bokkos, Mangu and Kanke had produced a senator or two in the past. Pankshin currently has one serving, while Kanam has never had any.
In the general elections that brought on board the current Senator, the APC and PDP made a big show of their capacity to get the mandate of the zone.
The eventual winner was Diket Plang Satso. The battle between him and Amb Golkuna Yohanna Gotom went up to the Court of Appeal before scores were settled.
Plang scored 131,129, while Amb Yohanna Gotom of the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 127,022, and Garba Pwul, SAN of the Labour Party went home with 36,510 votes.
Many of those who contested for the seat in 2023 may have long been forgotten. Those who were on the ballot list include: Diket Plang Satso APC, Golkuna Yohana Gotom PDP, Kanzum Katnanka John ADP, and Dilkon Leonard W SDP.
Others are, Damulak Manasseh ADC, Emmanuel Jonah Yilluk NNPP, Mwansat Tangtu Ayuba NRM, Longgagai Isaac ZLP and Garba Shamtu Pwul LP.
Who Is Contesting in 2027?
It is not yet known if any one of them will be available to recontest; however, one thing is certain; Senator Diket Plang and Amb GY Gotom, amongst others have since indicated interest to slug it out again.
While it is possible other aspirants may emerge from other parties, but as it stands now, the two political parties that are in contention for the soul of the central district are APC and PDP.
This does not degrade the interest of any other political party to present a candidate. Nothing stops them from presenting one at any level.
The other gladiators whose interest is not subject to speculation are Kefas Wungak Ropshik, Kanke, Ephraim Usman, Kanam and Isaac Mashingil Mankilik, Bokkos.
The only local government area which may likely not have an aspirant is Mangu. Perhaps, no one may want to jeopardise the chances of the governor, who is recontesting for a second term.
All the gladiators are qualified and have the needed capacity to contest to be in the Senate. It is a known fact that the political landscape is filled with thorns and thistles, conspirators and collaborators. The aspirants must deal with them all and other interests.
They may make the difference, and or jeopardise an aspirant's chances. All that matters is what each may bring to bear in order to outwit the other for the mandate.
There is no denying the fact, all of them have a heavy war chest that could accommodate the expenses of the campaign, but above all, it is the people who are needed to decide their fates in 2027.
A Brief On Gladiators
Senator Diket Plang, currently serving his first term on the platform of APC cannot be taken lightly. He has studied the ropes and the strings to pull when the chips are down.
Being an influential member and given his close relationship with the leaders of the Senate, he has been able to stamp his feet on the political landscape in areas that are needed to strengthen his position for the seat.
He once represented Pankshin North in the Plateau House of Assembly as well as the Management Committee Chairman of Pankshin. This is not to forget other roles he has played in the course of his political career.
Such an aspirant cannot be taken lightly, granted that his contributions speak for his aspirations to return to the senate.
He is chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity and deputy chairman, Federal Character.
Amb GY Gotom has not relented in his tracks to reclaim the seat he lost to Diket in 2023. He is everywhere that matters preparing grounds for the 2027 political onslaught.
The contest may not follow the pattern of what happened in the last election. There is a strong presence of other aspirants for the position in the PDP who are prepared to give him a run for his money.
He has a heavy presence in several activities geared towards helping the people. These are possible ways to pave way for his acceptance by the party, so are the others; who are using such avenues to sway opinions in their favour.
Amb Gotom's foray into business internationally has exposed him to different variants of political practice. It is an advantage for which he can greatly deploy.
From the grapevine, the name of Rt Hon Istifanus Mwansat, Pankshin has come up for mention. He is a one-time Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly.
He is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, and former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
He has been around for long, politically speaking, and it will be wrong to underate his moves, if it turns out that his entrance becomes a reality.
He is reputed to be referred to as the Fruitful one, a sobriquet that supporters of Hon Ephraim Usman, current Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs believes it is possible to translate to the office his services if he is given the mandate by PDP.
His position has enabled him test how the murky political waters will be like in order to steady his resolve. Having thrown his heart into the ring, it is good to know that forces from Kanke, Pankshin, Bokkos, Mangu and Kanam will be contending with one another.
His campaign strategies are used to emphasize that there is an Able God that directs the affairs of men in this endeavour.
The foray into the gubernatorial primaries in 2023 has given Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik a grip on the levers of power to want to test other political endeavours. Remember he came second in the contest.
No one can take that for granted in the current disposition. The entrepreneur, who is reputed to be interested in the welfare of people has recalibrated his movement for his aspiration.
Kefiano is popular at home with both the youth and elderly; he runs a number of business initiatives that are targeted at taking the unemployed off the streets.
Perhaps the newest entrant is Navy Commodore Isaac Mashingil Mankilik from Bokkos. He joins the fray with a desire to secure the future of a battered zone.
The energy he wants to use to 'illuminate' the senatorial district with is not lost in the fact that he has served the nation in a critical sector that gives him an added advantage to leverage upon.
Age and acceptability are working for them to showcase their capabilities. Each of them has a large followership they can muster for the seat.
They all have the needed energy to serve and provide leadership for the Plateau Central Senatorial District, if given the opportunity.
Caveat: I don't have a favourite, neither am I fronting for one amongst them. They all have the capacity to be what they want to be, so long as they have the mandate of the people.