To the Gamai Youth Movement (National Body)
The Tarok Progressive Youth Association (TAPYA), the umbrella body of Tarok Youth Worldwide has carefully reviewed the rejoinder issued by the Gamai Youth Movement (GYM), National Body, in response to our earlier statement titled “Condemnation of Dangerous Precedent of Lopsided Federal Appointments in Plateau South.”
Ordinarily, the content of GYM’s rejoinder, laden with primordial sentiments, selective memory, and unnecessary defensiveness, should not warrant a response. However, for the sake of clarity, record, and the collective peace of Plateau South, TAPYA considers it necessary to address the misleading claims contained therein.
TAPYA’s Position Was Never About Ethnic Rivalry, It Was About Equity and Balance
TAPYA wishes to restate that our concerns have nothing to do with hostility toward the Gamai ethnic group. We acknowledged, even in our earlier statement, that political representation should reflect justice, fairness, and inclusiveness. Our alarm was and remains directed at the undeniable concentration of federal appointments in Plateau South within a single ethnic group, a pattern that is dangerous for the unity of the senatorial district. Instead of acknowledging this valid concern, GYM unfortunately chose to frame our position as an attack on Gamai people. This is both inaccurate and disappointing.
GYM Should Have Welcomed an Honest Conversation, not a Resort to Defensiveness
It is laughable and deeply ironic that GYM, who ordinarily should appreciate TAPYA for raising legitimate concerns that would prevent future crises and foster harmony, chose instead to trivialize an important public issue. Our objective remains clear:
To prevent political imbalance today so that no ethnic group, Tarok, Gamai, or otherwise, suffers exclusion tomorrow.
GYM’s attempt to silence this conversation only strengthens our suspicion that the group is more interested in defending political patronage than promoting justice.
Plateau South Is Diverse not a Single Ethnic Group Should Corner All Appointments
GYM asserts that all recent appointments were based purely on merit. TAPYA has no objection to merit; however, merit does not exist only within one tribe. When federal appointments, major and minor, go to one ethnic group repeatedly, merit becomes a convenient smokescreen for favoritism.
For the sake of clarity, the following high-profile appointments in the Plateau South Senatorial District are currently occupied by persons of Gamai extraction:
- Sen. Simon Bako Lalong – Senator, Plateau South
- Prof. Garba Sharubutu – Executive Secretary, ARCN
- Prof. Seddi Sebastien Maimako – Member, NUC Board
- Dr. Cyril Senyil – Managing Director, NCDC
- Mr. Chris Dahogol – Director, NCDC
- Dr. Gabriel Longpet – INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner
- Barr. Festus Fuanter – Chairman, NTI
- Prof. Nora Daduut – Chairman FUTA/Ambassador
- Hon. Alexander Naantuan – FCT Commissioner, among others.
These are not minor appointments; these are the highest federal and strategic positions in the zone.
GYM must ask itself:
Can this pattern strengthen unity in Plateau South?
Can this concentration foster fairness, participation, or shared belonging?
Even GYM knows the answer is NO.
GYM’s “Merit and Qualification” Argument Is Baseless
TAPYA deliberately avoided the debate on competence because political appointments in Nigeria are not awarded based on academic qualifications alone.
The Nigerian Constitution is clear:
The minimum qualification to contest for President, Senate, or House of Representatives is the Senior Secondary School Certificate.
Therefore, GYM’s attempt to elevate competence as though other ethnic groups lack professors, PhDs, technocrats, lawyers, or seasoned administrators is not only false but insulting to the entire Plateau South.
Questions GYM must answer:
1.Does Gamai have the highest number of professors in Plateau South?
2.Do they have the highest number of PhD holders?
3.Do they have the highest number of professionals?
4.Are other ethnic groups in the zone educationally inferior?
The answer to all is NO.
Thus, the merit argument collapses completely.
On Political History, Let Us Set the Records Straight
GYM attempted to rewrite political history by suggesting that the appointment of Senator Lalong after the court case was merely legal and unrelated to favoritism. TAPYA never blamed the Gamai for the court verdict.
Our argument is simple:
The aggregation of appointments, before and after court judgments falls disproportionately to one ethnic group.
Furthermore, GYM stated that Gamai voted massively for a Tarok candidate in 2023. TAPYA acknowledges this truth and appreciates the Gamai electorates.
But this actually strengthens our point:
If the people could rise above ethnic lines, why are the appointments not reflecting that spirit of inclusiveness?
Plateau South Is Not a One-Ethnic Zone, Stop Acting Like TAPYA Speaks Alone
GYM questioned why TAPYA raised this concern “on behalf of the entire Plateau South.”
The answer is simple:
Because TAPYA is not alone.
We are in touch with various youth groups, community leaders, and stakeholders across Mikang, Langtang North, Langtang South, Wase, Quan’pan, and Shendam.
Many share our concerns but may not have issued public statements yet.
GYM’s belief that other groups are not concerned only shows they are not on ground.
TAPYA Will Not Be Intimidated, We Will Continue to Advocate for Justice
Instead of addressing the core issue, lopsided federal appointments, GYM resorted to ethnic bravado and attempts to silence legitimate civic engagement.
TAPYA refuses to be blackmailed into silence.
If GYM believes everything is fair, let them answer just one question:
Why is it that almost all the major appointments in Plateau South under the current administration are concentrated in one ethnic group?
If this cannot be justified, then TAPYA has already won the argument.
Our Call Remains: A Balanced, Fair, and Inclusive Plateau South
TAPYA reiterates its commitment to:
1.peaceful coexistence,
2.political equity,
3.collective development, and
4.representation that reflects our diversity.
GYM should stop politicizing legitimate concerns raised in the interest of unity. Plateau South belongs to all of us equally, and its appointments should reflect that sacred truth.
BY AND LARGE, our fight is not against the Gamai people; it is against patterns that undermine equity, both now and in the future.
We commend all youth groups in Plateau South that continue to support balanced representation.
TAPYA remains open to dialogue but will never shy away from calling out injustice, no matter who is involved.
Signed:
Comr CC Dashe,
TAPYA National Publicity Secretary
For:
Amb Miri Timnan Nyantau (M.T.N),
TAPYA National President
2nd December, 2025
