The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Yangtu Special Development Area of Taraba State has dismissed claims accusing its Public Relations Officer, Hon. Irammae Andetarang, of manipulating the nomination process for key leadership positions within the area. The party described these allegations as baseless and intended to tarnish the reputation of the PRO.
Hon. Sabo Shamaki, Yangtu PDP chairman, along with the Taraba South Zonal Woman Leader, Ladi Danjuma, clarified in a press statement that “the appointments of the Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator, and Secretary followed due process and extensive consultations in accordance with the law governing the Special Development Area.”
The statement explained that the leadership roles rotate among the four recognised villages Jenuwa Kogi, Kwambai, Jenuwa Gida, and Bika. “Following the principle of rotation and after broad engagement with party executives, traditional rulers, youths, and the PDP Elders Forum, Hon. Joel Rimamscap was unanimously selected as Coordinator this year, representing the rightful turn of Jenuwa Kogi,” the statement added.
Significant endorsements from key traditional rulers, including Kwe Emmanuel Ikoti of Kwambai Chiefdom and HRH Joshua Samari of Bika Chiefdom, supported the nominations before submission to the state government.
The PDP rebuffed claims that Andetarang acted single-handedly, labelling such accusations as “reckless fabrications aimed at fostering disunity.” Furthermore, the party rejected assertions that PDP’s electoral performance in Kwambai Village was credited to Mrs. Hauwa Kwena rather than Hon. Andetarang. Official INEC records reportedly show that Mrs. Kwena delivered only 31 votes, while Hon. Andetarang’s area delivered over 1,000 votes for the PDP.
The statement also noted that Mrs. Kwena is no longer a member of the PDP National Executive Committee, having been replaced by Hon. Tina Musa after previously serving as Deputy National Women Leader.
