The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the Yangtu Special Development Area of Taraba State has strongly denied allegations questioning the legitimacy of recent political appointments in the area, describing the claims as “mischievous and baseless.”
The rebuttal comes in response to a publication attributed to a group calling itself “Concerned Yangtu Youths,” which accused Andetarang Irammae of unilaterally orchestrating the appointments without proper consultation.
In a joint statement issued in Jalingo and signed by Hon.Sabo Shamaki, PDP Chairman in Yangtu, and Hon. Ladi Danjuma, PDP Zonal Women Leader (Southern Zone), the party said the allegations were “reckless fabrications” aimed at misleading the public and stirring division within the community.
The PDP maintained that the appointment of Hon. Joel Rimamscap as Coordinator, along with the Deputy Coordinator and Secretary, followed a transparent process rooted in the area’s established zoning formula and was the outcome of wide-ranging consultations involving party stakeholders, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and the PDP Elders Forum.
“The law governing the Yangtu Special Development Area recognizes four villages—Jenuwa Kogi, Kwambai, Jenuwa Gida, and Bika—with key political offices rotating among them,” the statement explained. “Since Jenuwa Gida held the Coordinator position in 2022, it was Jenuwa Kogi’s turn this year.”
The appointments, the party added, were endorsed by traditional rulers including Kwe Emmanuel Ikoti of Kwambai Chiefdom and HRH Joshua Samari of Bika Chiefdom, and were then forwarded to the Taraba State Government for final approval.
Dismissing the accusation that Hon. Irammae single-handedly submitted names for appointment, the party described the claim as a “laughable attempt to discredit a process that was open, inclusive, and legitimate.”
The PDP also addressed allegations involving party member Mrs. Hauwa Kwena, who was credited in the same publication with delivering results for the party. Citing official INEC data, the party claimed she secured only 31 votes in her polling unit during the last general election, compared to over 1,000 votes delivered by Irammae in his area.
Furthermore, the statement clarified that Mrs. Kwena, who once held the position of Deputy National Women Leader, was later removed and replaced by Hon. Tina Musa, and is no longer a member of the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
“If she has no connection to the publication, she should publicly distance herself from it,” the statement warned, adding that failure to do so could raise questions of impersonation.
Reaffirming its commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and grassroots development, the PDP urged residents and party members in Yangtu to disregard what it described as the “handiwork of mischief-makers.”
“No amount of propaganda will distract us from our responsibility to serve the people of Yangtu,” the statement concluded.