The Gyel Advocacy Group has appealed to stakeholders, political parties and elders in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State to uphold the long-standing zoning arrangement for political offices as the 2027 general elections approach.
In a press conference read by Mark Dung on behalf of the group on Wednesday, the stakeholders and elders of Gyel District stressed that the zoning formula, described as a “gentleman’s agreement,” has been the bedrock of unity and peaceful coexistence in the area since the return to democracy in 1999.
The group noted that the arrangement has ensured rotational sharing of key positions, including the chairmanship of the local government, which has gone round all districts, and the House of Assembly seat, which has rotated among four out of the five districts, with Za’ang District now due for its turn.
On the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, the advocacy group presented historical facts of representation since 1999:
They added that Hon. Sunday Daniel Dung (Za’ang District) served 1999–2003 ,while Late Hon. Gabriel Bwan Fom and Hon. Edward Pwajok (both from Kuru District) served 2003–2007 and 2015–2019 respectively.
Also Hon. Bitrus Kaze (Jos East) served 2007–2015 ,while Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos (Vwang District) served 2019–2023.
The group pointed out that Gyel and Du Districts are yet to produce any member for the House of Representatives since 1999.
It therefore argued that, by the natural progression of the established equity formula, Gyel District should produce the candidate for the 2027 seat, to be followed by Du District.
The group warned against attempts by some individuals to disrupt the zoning arrangement for personal ambitions, saying such moves could overheat the polity, risk losing the federal seat to internal divisions, and erode trust among the five districts.
“If Jos South enters the race with divided interest by ignoring its internal fairness, we then risk losing the seat entirely due to internal friction,” the group cautioned.
It also dismissed claims by some political actors that Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang had endorsed them to contest the Rep seat, urging such persons to stop using the governor’s name for personal gains.
The group expressed confidence that the governor would not act outside the existing zoning understanding in Jos South.
While commending political parties that have already aligned with the zoning principle by making their platforms available, the Gyel Advocacy Group called on others to do the same and adopt Gyel for the House of Representatives position in 2027.
In a show of reciprocity and commitment to fairness, the group stood in solidarity with Za’ang District for the next Plateau State House of Assembly seat.
It appealed to all aspirants from Gyel interested in the Assembly position to withdraw and support Za’ang, noting that Gyel had earlier enjoyed representation through Hon. Dalyop C. Mancha, who was elected twice .
The group appreciated Governor Mutfwang for flagging off the Gyero–Tanchol–Tahei Sot–DB Zang road project, describing it as a fulfilment of the long yearning of the Gyel people. It reaffirmed the group’s support for his administration.
The Gyel Advocacy Group urged all political actors, traditional rulers, youth groups and sons and daughters of Jos South to resist short-term interests and honour the 25-year-old tradition of zoning for the sake of unity and the “Greater Jos South” identity.
“Let us go to the polls as a united Jos South, honoring our past to secure our future,” the group concluded.
