PLATEAU SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT NEEDS A PEOPLE'S PERSON... LABOUR IS THE REAL POLITICAL EQUATION IN PLATEAU-DAFAAN

In an all out interview with Chief John M.Dafaan, the former Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, former Deputy Governorship Candidate, and the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives,spoke to the Editorial Team of the NewsGate Magazine, led by Chief Amb.Nanyah Andrew Daman, the Group Managing Editor on the COVID-19 Pandemic, his most cherished reminiscences, his stabilizing role, the importance of labour in the political equation of Plateau State, the urgent need to get Palliatives to the masses before it gets out of hand, amongst other issues. 
The consummate,humble and humane politician also hinted that voters should always look out for the person that is a people's person before casting their votes. 
The interview is not only explosive but revealing and a most read.

Enjoy the Excerpts:

Newsgate Magazine: Can we know you in details?

John Dafaan: My name is John Malu Dafaan, I hail from Kwarin-Kwalla District of Quaan Pan LGA of Plateau State. I hold a Masters Degree in History and I have worked as a Public Servant from 1990 to date. I had an interim leave from 2006 till 2015.I ran as a running mate to Arch. PD Gyang in the defunct ACN as a Gubernatorial running mate to him in 2007 election. I became the Chief of staff in 2015 to the present Governor of Plateau State even though I was not opportuned to be re-appointed in 2019. I am the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives.

Newsgate Magazine: Sir, can you comment on the policies of Government particularly on the fight against Covid 19 which is ravaging the entire world?

John Dafaan: The Covid 19 pandemic is very scary, it is ravaging the whole world. Looking at it within the concepts of Science,like the saying goes, "the fire that emanates from the river can only be salvaged by God", where Science is prevalent is where the element is coming from because if they cannot find the solution to the issue, then it means that we can only pray because supernatural means can be one of the things we can be open to, but I believe it is due to our inadequacy in how we prepared and equipped our research institutes.Most of the Research institutions needed certain interventions but you cannot blame anyone because one way or the other we are involved either by not voting well or not putting the research institutes in proper perspective.You are aware that these medical facilities can not be built and equipped in one day.It is an Investment that yields fruit in a long period of time.
Despite the shortcomings, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is doing a wonderful and commendable job.
 I think the issue of palliative should be taken more seriously,but you cannot blame the PTF for the inadequate palliative,because it might be due to inadequate data.Another problem of inadequate distribution of palliative could be because people use this period to try to make money instead of helping out.For example in the Local Governments where Palliatives are given to a ward head to distribute to the community and he keeps 60% in his or her home.
The Palliatives will seriously cushion the effects of the lockdown,but if it is about the containment exercise, I think we need to commend them.
For Plateau State, I think the proactive disposition of the Governor helped in the low number of infections and negative cases thus far. It is reassuring that out of the 60 to 80 tests carried out no positive results were found.I commend the Governor for taking most of the action to contain the virus, but we feel persons in the  frontlines,taking care of the affected persons should be properly taken care of and if possible, insurance policies be put in place for them. In all I commend the State and Federal Government for their initiaves and efforts thus far.

Newsgate Magazine: Sir, are you in support of the National Assembly bill to compel the vaccination of Nigerians and that a certificate must be given to every Nigerian if vaccinated?

John Dafaan: The issue is before the National Assembly and the most is to conduct a public hearing for people to give their input before the bill becomes a law. I would say that I am a subordinate staff and I must consult my boss to know his position first before making any comment. I wouldn't want to work in contradiction to his view,so I wouldn't make any comments in that regards. My role is advising him so I would be silent on that.

Newsgate Magazine: Sir, the race for Plateau South Central District is on, what credentials are you expecting for the occupant of the seat?

John Dafaan: In politics, when you talk of credentials, is it academic? No. To my mind principally,you need a people's person, an accessible person, a person that has the capability to understand the Southern Zone.He must have a public service background to liaise with the Legislature and Executive,where there is a synergy between both which will effectively bring the benefits to the people faster. That to me, is the credentials that he/she needs to have. Principally, if you are a people's person, you are somebody that needs to take care and know what the people require rather than making it an all comers thing.

Newsgate Magazine: Alot of people have shown interest in the Plateau South Senetorial seat, why do you think Quaan Pan LGA should be allowed to continue where the late Senatori s from?

John Dafaan: In the history of the Zone from 1992 when Late Senator Dangin became a Senator and taking it back to 1979 when Shendam produced Late George Baba Hoomkwap, you will find out that George Baba Hoomkwap was truncated and principally all through Quaa Pan has never produced a Senator from 1992 until 2019.Thus,nobody from 1999 ever ran a second tenure.  Every candidate always has one tenure, if Quaan Pan is not opportuned to complete this tenure, it means it is shortchanged and definately there would be no opportunity soon considering an unwritten agreement that if one does it, the other would not, even though Langtang North have had a fair share. I think if they allow others like Quaan Pan to compete their term of four years,it will make more meaning. Quaan Pan stands a good chance to make the difference in uniting the zone because everybody will feel that he belongs and each of the LGA will have a sense of belonging there will be a sense of belonging. They will feel they are being carried along, so Quaan Pan should be allowed to carry the remaining three years.

Newsgate Magazine: Sir, what memorable event do you still remember when you served as a Chief of staff to the Hon. Governor of Plateau State that you want to share with the public?

John Dafaan: There are so many memories that were fun when serving the state but two or three things stand out and those were in the early stages. Firstly, fulfilling the Governor's payment of outstanding salaries, a promise kept to me is great satisfaction. Secondly, it was reinstating Hon Dan Dul as the Elected Chairman of Langtang North and the reinstatement of Prof.Doknan Decent Danjuma Sheni,reason being impunity had been made and it was a clear message to the people that a new star had come within the state and it was something that gave me hope. Sincerely speaking those were things that touched me and I felt proud to be part of the Government that made such unique moves.

Newsgate: Can you comment on any issue that bothers you and needs urgent attention, be it local, state, national or international?

John Dafaan: My main comment is just as I said with the issue of the Covid 19, I think the State and Federal Governments must intensify efforts to get palliatives to the people.I truly weep for people who work on daily basis to survive and earn a living. They are in real distress because without helping them,we might be creating another pandemic with monumental negative consequences in Nigeria,if that is not contained.We agree lockdowns and social distancing is good but we need palliatives to reach out to people urgently.

Newsgate Magazine : Sir, since you have sympathy and empathy for the civil servants and labour,what is your comment to them as they celebrate this year's international labour day?

John Dafaan: I want to congratulate them for putting their hands constantly on the tables, anytime the labour falls in the state and the nation. They have never wavered in their resolve to make Nugeria a great nation and making Plateau the epitome of understanding and leadership in Nigeria.I think that is something we need to commend themabout.There is no greater credit we could give than to say kudos to them. This is one labour union that has been dedicated and committed to the course of Plateau and people look at labour as an inconsequential equations but they are the real structure of political equations especially in Plateau,because every civil servant has a dependant or two and they have given their best.For the labour day, I wish them the best and may they get their reward here on earth not until they get to heaven.