Journalist resigns membership of APC over non-appointment of minister from Plateau

Veteran journalist and author, Jonathan Ishaku, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, citing his disappointment that eight months after the resignation of former minister Simon Lalong from the federal cabinet to take his seat in the Senate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is yet to appoint any replacement from the State.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Jos this morning (Friday, September 6), the former general manager of Plateau Publishing and Printing Company, said he’s disgusted by the treatment being meted to the state chapter of the party despite its contribution to the election of the president.

“This morning, September 6, 2024, I tendered my letter of resignation of my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Gwamlar Unit Chairman in Shiwer-Seri Federal Ward (and Shiwer State Ward), Kanke Local Government Area , Plateau State,” Ishaku said in the statement.

“This is an expression of my disappointment at the treatment meted to the party and people of Plateau State by the very national ruling party we the members fought very hard to install.

“I am particularly disappointed that eight months after the resignation of Senator Simon Bako Lalong from the Federal Executive Council (EXCO) to assume his mandate as a Senator, the Ministerial slot for Plateau State has been left indefinitely vacant.

“This is contrary to the Constitution of Nigeria 147(3), which stipulates that there must be at least one Cabinet member from each of the 36 states in Nigeria. In other words, the Federal Government of Nigeria as it now operates does so without the participation of my dear Plateau State. By extension it means as a party member, I do not count in the government and I can longer continue to live the illusion.

“In my opinion, this is a slight on the good people, and members of the party in the state. The people of Plateau State deserve the utmost respect and treatment from the President and the APC.

“My resignation is a protest against the indefinite exclusion of Plateau State by the ruling APC Government.”