Plateau youths challenge ex-lawmaker over tenure claims

Youths from Mbar Ward in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State have strongly refuted claims made by former House of Representatives member Solomon Maren regarding project execution during his tenure. Maren, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, told supporters he initiated and completed numerous constituency projects, including roads, health facilities, and youth empowerment programs.

Mbar Ward youths challenge Maren’s claims, describing his legislative tenure as disastrous for the constituency. Under the banner of Concerned Youths for Good Governance, the group issued a statement dismissing the former lawmaker’s assertions as misleading and deceptive. They expressed particular disappointment that Maren would attempt to take credit for projects actually executed by other lawmakers.

Questionable Project Claims

The youth group specifically countered Maren’s claim about initiating a hospital project in Magi Community, labeling it an outright falsehood. They clarified that the project was actually executed by Hon. Lalu, not Maren. The statement highlighted that Mbar Ward experienced complete abandonment during Maren’s eight years in the National Assembly, with no meaningful projects, empowerment initiatives, or development footprints in his own hometown.

The group further noted the irony that Maren doesn’t own a home in Mbar, despite representing the area. They accused him of employing deceptive political tactics, particularly during election periods, when he would bring road construction equipment to create false impressions of impending development, only to remove the machinery after securing votes.

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Visible Development Under Current Leadership

Contrasting Maren’s tenure with current developments, the youths praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration for delivering tangible projects to Mbar Ward. They listed several verifiable achievements including the renovation of Government Secondary School Mbar, the billion-naira Mbar-Magama road project, rehabilitation of primary schools, borehole installations, farm inputs for displaced farmers, youth empowerment programs, and restored security enabling displaced persons to return home.

The statement described Maren’s only credited project—the Mbar Town Hall—as substandard, poorly executed, and incomplete, calling it symbolic of his years of failure and neglect. The Concerned Youths for Good Governance urged Maren to stop peddling lies about non-existent achievements and reiterated their support for Governor Mutfwang’s development-focused leadership. They emphasized that Mbar Ward residents have become politically enlightened and will no longer tolerate deceptive political practices from their representatives.