PDP: Jang's Faction Swears In New Party Chairman

JOS, Nov 03, (THEWILL) - The Plateau State Governor's faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has sworn in Dr. Hauran Dabin as the new Chairman of the party.

Dabin’s swearing in followed the removal of former Chairman, Professor Dakum Shown by Governor David Jang after a peace meeting with members of other factions of the party at the instance of the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja.

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Jonah David Jang attended the swearing in.

THEWILL gathered that the removal of Shown was to pave way for the harmonization of the party's exco as discussed at the Abuja meeting but members of other factions led by Chief Solomon Lar have maintained its preference for a fresh congress to elect state party officials. After nearly a month of a dillydallying, Dr. Haruna Dabin was sworn as new chairman.

Dr. Dabin in his acceptance speech appealed to aggrieved members of the party in the state to close ranks and join hands with him so that the party can position itself for success in 2011.

Dr. Dabin said the state is known for peace and has never experienced any problem that is beyond its leaders; “because they are always about the Plateau dream conceived for Plateau people and are realized by through this our land of heritage.” He called on party members to resolve to work for the cause of Plateau noting that the state has suffered untold hardships and devastations.

“We had the state executive committee of our party dissolved, because of so-called intra-party squabbles, which has only produced more ‘heat’ than light for us as Plateau people. But never again… For how long will these troubles continue? Never again,” he stressed.

While acknowledging the personality of Chief Solomon Lar, the pioneer national chairman of the party and first civilian governor of the state for his leadership roles, he however, called on the politicians in the state not to drag “him into petty and personal divides” and tarnish his international reputation and political stature.

He particularly commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for doing “what is right and just” by standing firm in the party.