Jonah Jang at 80: Power is Fleeting, Character Endures

​JOS — Nigeria’s political elite converged on the Plateau State capital on Saturday as former Governor Jonah David Jang marked his 80th birthday with a profound warning to the nation’s political class, stressing that political office is transient and that only integrity, faith, and selfless service leave an enduring legacy.

​The milestone celebration, held in Jos, also featured the high-profile public presentation of Jang’s much-anticipated autobiography, From Airman to Politics – My Life. Dignitaries who flooded the venue included Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving and former governors, federal lawmakers, diplomats, and traditional rulers.

​Positions Come and Go

​Reflecting on eight decades spanning a disciplined military career in the Nigerian Air Force, governance across multiple states, and the legislature, Jang noted that experience has taught him the ultimate vanity of chasing unbridled power and material accumulation.

​”As I look back over these eighty years, I have come to appreciate one enduring truth: positions come and go; power is temporary; fame fades; wealth cannot satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart,” Jang stated. “What remains is character, faith, service to humanity and our relationship with God.”

​The elder statesman challenged contemporary public office holders to prioritize the welfare of citizens and the institutional development of the country over self-enrichment, warning that history harshly judges leaders consumed by temporal authority.

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​Setting the Record Straight

​Speaking on the inspiration behind his memoir, Jang revealed that the project was initially pushed by his son, Yakubu, who repeatedly urged him to document his historic journey for posterity. He explained that the book acts as an authentic window into his decades in public office, clearing up persistent controversies and misconceptions.

​”Many assumptions have been made about me, my decisions and my actions. Some were based on incomplete information, while others created misconceptions and controversies,” Jang remarked. He added that the publication was not intended as a tool for political vendettas or settling scores, but rather as an honest framework contextualizing historical events as he experienced them.

​The autobiography also touches heavily on regional peace, with poignant excerpts addressing local dynamics, including the historical relations between the Berom and Fulani communities, emphasizing that mutual tolerance and dialogue must be revived to achieve lasting reconciliation.

​Labour Party Calls for Issue-Based Politics

​On the sidelines of the grand celebration, the Labour Party (LP) utilized the moment to direct attention toward the country’s democratic trajectory ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

​National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, urged political actors nationwide to shun bitterness, division, and inflammatory rhetoric, advocating instead for rigorous, issue-based campaigns.

​”The next election should not be a battle against fellow Nigerians. It should be a contest of ideas, competence and character,” Usman declared. “Our political parties may be different, but our country is one. We owe future generations the responsibility of conducting politics without destroying the bonds that hold our nation together.”

​Praising Jang as a quintessential patriot, Usman credited his decades of public stewardship—from his days as a military officer to serving as military governor, executive governor, and senator—as a masterclass in discipline, courage, and sacrifice.