2019: Plateau Guber Aspirant Ex-convict, Says PDP Group

The ambition of a business mogul, Geoffrey Bawa Shitgurum, to be governor of Plateau state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 may be headed for the rocks following allegations that he had been convicted in the United Kingdom.

The PDP for Peace and Good Governance Forum, a pressure group, therefore demanded that an investigation should be carried out on the allegation.

The organisation said following the alleged conviction in the UK, he may not be qualified to contest for the Plateau state PDP governorship ticket.

National President of the forum, Rev. Jonah Pam, told journalists in Jos that the entry of Shitgurum in the political race of Plateau state will be a great minus and disservice to the party.

But when contacted, a loyalist of Shitgurum, who didn’t want to be mentioned, dismissed the allegation, saying that was the mischief of the APC and the ruling government.

“Shitgurum is an accomplished businessmen and technocrat who has done well for himself and the nation. I don’t know why the people making the allegation decided to wait till the election period to raise the allegations. It’s the hands of Esau and voice of Jacob. In 2019, Shitgurum is taking over Plateau Government House. The APC in Plateau state is gone; they’re fretting over impending defeat”, he said.

He said, “Even as the elders were happy about his defection into the PDP, we must not fail to point out anomalies where they occur in our journey to relevance and we must say that in this instance an anomaly has occurred which must immediately be addressed by our party if we want to be taken seriously.

“We have noticed that one of the persons who have defected to our great party, is a certain character whose presence in our party will not only spell doom for it in the current build up to the general elections but may dent our image as a party to the extent that we may not be able to recover in the near future.

“The defection of Geoffrey Bawa Shitgurum ordinarily should have been welcomed by all lovers of our party since the man has carved out an image for himself as somebody who knows his way in business and politics.

“But that is only a perception and we must not let such inconsequential impressions not based on any empirical evidence, make us lose sight of the bigger picture, which is what the party stands to lose if the anomy is not addressed.

“The PDP has in the past been blackmailed as a party that not only condones corruption but has been painted as one that harbours criminals. The party was still battling to recover from that blackmail when former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori who was convicted in the UK came back and rejoined the party.”