Are we likely going to see Hausa/Fulani Deputy Governor in Plateau State?

 By Jonathan Jahwon Pwajok

All options should be on the table. That is the way politics works.

The clash of majority and minority agendas.

There is no doubt that Plateau State parades two Ethnic groups that vote as a block during elections, Berom and Hausa Fulani. These two blocks put together are more populated than all the other Ethnic groups put together on the Plateau.

Historically, these groups have never united in the quest to control political power in Plateau State except in 2003 when Jonah Jang joined the ANPP, there was little cooperation amongst the two groups but it soon extinguished.

This template is the reason the Berom have simply become a minority in a State they're clearly supposed to be the majority, and they've been subject of ridicule to all other tribes on the Plateau. A little example is the emergence of Hon. Rufus Bature and Hon. Peter Ibrahim Gyendeng both from Barkinladi.

The question is!! Why should a Berom be a minority leader in a State he is clearly a majority tribe?

The simple answer lies in our style of politics.

1. Pre and post-independence political posture of the Berom suggest nonalignment with the Hausa Fulani block from the Federal government to the regions. The Berom inherited this system from political genesis.

2. this system which was inherited has been sustained and is still prevalent in today's politics.

3. The major reason we chose continues political divorce with the Hausa Fulani block is limited to land grabbing and dominance by the Hausa Fulani block.

POSERS!!!

Are there no better ways to develop mutual understanding with the Hausa Fulani community?

Can the Hausa Fulani block remove the Berom from Jos and by extension from Plateau State?

Can the Berom remove the Hausa Fulani from Jos and by extension Plateau State?

Since the answers to these rhetorical questions is a capital NO, why can't we do things differently?

Must we continue to do things the way we inherited from our forefathers even when it is not working?

REGRETS.

If a referendum is carried out today, most Berom if not all will not repeat the mistake of Biafra. Meaning we wouldn't have joined in fighting the Igbos during their quest for Biafra. I for one, if I was an adult during the Biafran Civil war, with the knowledge I have today, I wouldn't have fought the Igbos due to prevailing realities.

Now that we find ourselves at the crossroads, we've been reduced to a permanent minority leadership position in Plateau State, with other tribes we think we champion their cause mocking at us, can't we do things differently and return to our status as majority tribe on the Plateau? A position we truly are???

SOLUTION.

This solution is a bitter pill considering the acerbity presently manifest in our non-existent relationship with the Hausa Fulani block.

But my take...

1. Let the Berom unite with the Hausa Fulani block and form a permanent majority block on the Plateau.

2. Let both blocks shelve ethnic and religious differences in the relationship.

If the last two suggestions are carried, all the other tribes will be rotating permanently, the position of minority leader in Plateau State.

For almost 100 years we've been trying what we are presently practicing and all we get is mockery, why can't we try something new?

If you think my suggestion is not good, bring yours to the table for discussion. But if there are modifications, pls kindly help.