Plateau politicians lobby for top federal, state govts’ jobs

 By TAYE OBATERU

Jos-Intense lobbying has commenced for positions at the federal and state levels in Plateau State as politicians scheme to be “rewarded” for their contributions to the success of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just-concluded elections.

Vanguard learnt that Governor Jonah Jang, his family members,  friends or those believed to have his ears and some influential members of the party in the state had been bombarded by lobbyists seeking to be considered for appointments.

Some of those concerned are said to be angling to be recommended to President Goodluck Jonathan as ministers, ambassador or any other appointment at the federal level.

Some others, checks revealed, are positioning themselves to be retained or appointed as commissioners in the state executive council or as personal aides of the governor, among others.

Many of them are said to be flaunting their “loyalty” to the government or “hard work” for the party in the election to try and upstage some current appointees whom they accused of not doing enough to justify their appointments.

A reliable source said Jang was still keeping his plan on appointments close to his chest and has been largely non-committal to those close enough to have raised the issue with him.

The closest he had gone on the issue was a statement last week while receiving one of the numerous delegations that have been paying him congratulatory visits during which he said it was impossible for everyone to be given appointment.

The statement, it was gathered, might not be unconnected with the pressure from those lobbying for appointments and to send a clear message that he might be unable to satisfy them all.