Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
The Taroh Vanguard of Langtang North LGA of Plateau State has shut down all the major roads leading to the council Secretariat and ground socio-economic activities in the area as they vow to end Lalong’s rule of impunity.
They have also vowed to resist with the last drop of their blood the ongoing illegality being perpetrated by the Plateau State government to install Barr. Zulfa Rimven of the APC as chairman of the council against the judgment of a Jos High Court of November 2, 2021 that Hon. Joshua Laven Ubandoma should remain in office till October 2022.
Irrespective of political party differences, the group blocked Langtang/ Shendam road and Langtang/Jos road carrying APC, PDP, ADP and YPP flags demanding that Governor Lalong should as a matter of urgency allow the rule of law to prevail and direct the State commissioner of Police to allow Hon. Joshua Laven and his deputy, Hon. Daniel Balbong to resume work as Chairman and deputy respectively without delay.
They also express disappointment that the governor is the architect and brain behind the leadership crises rocking the council in an attempt to install his stooges against the order of a state High Court which ruled that Laven should be reinstated immediately as the duely elected chairman of Langtang North LGC.
Convener and coordinator of the Taroh Vanguard, Boniface Ndam, told newsmen that the governor should be held responsible for any blood shed in Taroh land as a result of his attempt to impose Barrister Zulfa Rimven on the people.
He argued that the political interest and ambition of the governor is not worth the blood of anybody in Taroh land and the entire Plateau State, noting that the events unfolding in Langtang North and the entire state are fearful, and call for serious concern.
The Taroh Vanguard also expressed worries that Langtang North is the only council that has two chairmen. He further stressed that Hon. Joshua Laven was sworn in by governor Lalong in 2019 as the duly elected council chairman under the platform of PDP as affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction .
The group therefore called on Barr. Zulfa Rimven to stop parading himself as the chairman of Langtang North LGC, warning that any attempt to sign any official documents or transacting business on behalf of Langtang North LGC is illegal and unconstitutional.
Also speaking on behalf of the Taroh elders, Elder Robert Soldier said they are appealing to governor Lalong to allow the chairman, Hon. Joshua Laven to complete his three years tenure in office.
According to him, they are not against the governor, rather the Taroh Elders are peace loving people who are in the forefront of ensuring the unity, progress, and development of Taroh land and Plateau State in general.
