Hon. Bitrus Kaze is the member of the House of Representatives representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives. Though he is from Plateau North Senatorial district, he has not relented in canvassing for the next governor of Plateau State to come from the Plateau South Senatorial district. He speaks on his motif in this interview: Excerpts:
By Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos
REcently, there were reports of an attempt by an Australian to negotiate with Boko Haram and the same man has indicted a prominent soldier and former governor as sponsors of the sect. What is the implication of this?
First, I have always spoken against any attempt to negotiate with terrorists because we do not have a readymade example anywhere in the world where terrorism was successfully fought through negotiation I’m not aware if there is. All the life of Israel as a country, it has been war against what they consider terrorists. There has been no time Israel for example entered into any form of negotiation with any terrorists and succeeded.
REcently, there were reports of an attempt by an Australian to negotiate with Boko Haram and the same man has indicted a prominent soldier and former governor as sponsors of the sect. What is the implication of this?
First, I have always spoken against any attempt to negotiate with terrorists because we do not have a readymade example anywhere in the world where terrorism was successfully fought through negotiation I’m not aware if there is. All the life of Israel as a country, it has been war against what they consider terrorists. There has been no time Israel for example entered into any form of negotiation with any terrorists and succeeded.
I am not aware of any such country in the world where terrorism has been fought by negotiation.
That does not mean that I do not recognize that there had been one or two attempts to try and negotiate with terrorists, in the case of Nigeria, even before the Australian, there were several others and some offered on their own to go and negotiate with the terrorists including former President Obasanjo. Some were constituted by government led by Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties, his committee took so much time and brought no report. In fact after the committee was set up, terrorism grew from bad to worse as we can see today so.
As a politician, are you in favour of zoning of political seats at the federal and state levels?
The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria provides that the nation shall be ruled in such a manner that you do not take advantage of any section of the country. That it should be run in such a manner that it guarantees national unity and loyalty.
The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria provides that the nation shall be ruled in such a manner that you do not take advantage of any section of the country. That it should be run in such a manner that it guarantees national unity and loyalty.
That is that section of the constitution that gave rise to the federal character. No less a person than the Jos-born Olisa Agbakoba SAN said that the political name for federal character is zoning, that tells you that the spirit of zoning is not just in political parties, it is there in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
A journalist by name, Paul Uwadima said the difference between zoning and federal character is like trying to differentiate between eba and garri. To me, it is the same, the spirit of zoning is actually lifted from the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and the framers of the constitution had in mind unity, loyalty and fairness for all sections of this country.
The PDP constitution provides in clear terms for zoning for party and public elected positions. I am a member of the PDP, if anyone else will not support zoning, members of the PDP are bound by the party constitution and must support zoning.
In Plateau for instance, where do you think the gubernatorial seat should be zoned to?
In my personal view, in the spirit of fairness, justice, equity and peace on the Plateau, I believe that the governorship should go to the southern Plateau. You may ask why Plateau south? They had the opportunity to serve in that capacity when Nasarawa State was part of Plateau, I do not agree with the argument that because they served under the old Plateau, they cannot serve in the new state, they still have the opportunity and that is the fact.
In my personal view, in the spirit of fairness, justice, equity and peace on the Plateau, I believe that the governorship should go to the southern Plateau. You may ask why Plateau south? They had the opportunity to serve in that capacity when Nasarawa State was part of Plateau, I do not agree with the argument that because they served under the old Plateau, they cannot serve in the new state, they still have the opportunity and that is the fact.
Governor Dariye from Plateau central had eight years, here we are with Governor Jang from Plateau North for eight years, it is my belief that it goes to Plateau South because they have stayed out of office as governor for almost 20 years.
All sections of the state
It is only fair for Plateau to remember them so that all sections of the state will feel a sense of belonging.
It is only fair for Plateau to remember them so that all sections of the state will feel a sense of belonging.
There are speculations that you are taking this position because you want to be the deputy governor, how true is this?
It is not a crime for me to be the deputy governor but unfortunately, I am not thinking of that, I have not declared any interest and as a matter of fact, you don’t aspire to be a deputy governor. It is after the primary that the party together with the candidate decide who is to be the deputy governor.
It is not a crime for me to be the deputy governor but unfortunately, I am not thinking of that, I have not declared any interest and as a matter of fact, you don’t aspire to be a deputy governor. It is after the primary that the party together with the candidate decide who is to be the deputy governor.
Secondly, those that say I am looking for the deputy governor seat are attacking my intelligence because it means that if Plateau State for instance decides that Plateau North should vie for governorship, they have come to the conclusion that even after serving eight years in the National Assembly, I do not realize that the position of the governor is more influential than that of the deputy.
Or am I so daft that I cannot see that I am fit to contest for the seat of the governor, that is an affront on my intelligence because I am fit and qualified in all cases even to contest for the seat of the President of this country!
What is your relationship with Governor Jang? Is it true that it is broken down?
To the best of my knowledge, I don’t have any problem with the governor at all. I represent him and will continue to do so until my tenure expires.
Some of the stories you hear are the creation of people who want something to happen so they can take advantage of it to achieve whatever they want but I can assure you that there is no problem whatsoever with the governor, his deputy, the SSG or anybody in government at the federal or state level.
To the best of my knowledge, I don’t have any problem with the governor at all. I represent him and will continue to do so until my tenure expires.
Some of the stories you hear are the creation of people who want something to happen so they can take advantage of it to achieve whatever they want but I can assure you that there is no problem whatsoever with the governor, his deputy, the SSG or anybody in government at the federal or state level.
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