Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong has disclosed that Northern Governors of the APC supported power shift to the Southern part of Nigeria in order to promote the unity, peace and stability of Nigeria within the spirit of fairness, equity and justice which the late Premier of the Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello stood for.
Lalong was speaking at the 9th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on Leadership and Good Governance held in Lafia, Nasarawa State. He said because the late Sardauna lived a life of accommodation, tolerance, justice and fairness, his legacies have endured long after his demise and continue to inspire leadership in the region and country at large.
“When I led my colleagues the Northern Governors to push for power shift to the south, it was not because we wanted Asiwaju to be President. Rather, we wanted to ensure that justice and fairness prevails in our nation for the unity, peace and harmony. That is what we believe our revered father of blessed memory Sir Ahmadu Bello would do in such circumstances. Fortunately, the party delegates chose Asiwaju who was eventually accepted by Nigerians as he was unanimously elected”.
Lalong urged all Nigerians, both in the North and across the country, to support President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he takes on the mantle of leadership. He said the North is an important stakeholder in the Nigerian project and its contributions towards his election cannot be over emphasized.
The Northern region needs serious attention in various sectors ranging from security, education, infrastructure, agriculture, economic revival and restoration of law and order in various areas that have been ravaged by insecurity.
“It is heartening to note that the Northern Governors Forum, under my leadership, has done a great deal of work on bringing our people together as one people with one a common destiny” he said.
Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule said it was a privilege for his state to host the very important event which reminds the region and the nation about the values that Sardauna lived and died for.
He said although there have been challenges in the country after the demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello, some progress has been made which can be built upon to make the Northern Region and Nigeria a better place.
Speaking on the topic “2023 Elections as Panacea for Search for Quality Leadership in Nigeria,” Kenyan Law Professor and pan Africanist Patrick Lumumba said the late Sardauna left behind several lessons for politicians which include his selflessness and sacrifice for the general good.
He said the question of unity and cohesion in Nigeria particularly after the 2023 general elections cannot be over emphasized because Nigeria plays a very key role in the stability of Africa being a giant in all ramifications.
Lumumba stressed that the sacrifices of founding fathers like Sardauna who paid the supreme price should not be left to go in vain but built upon for a greater Nigeria and Africa.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a message delivered by Chief of Staff Prof. Ibrahim Gambari said it is important that Nigerians devote more attention to recruiting quality leaders who are capable of steering the nation in the right direction.
He also said the process of elections should also be looked at and continously improved upon to ensure that those who serve the people have their mandate and also enjoy their support.
Emir of Lafia HRH Sidi Bage said the lecture series is an opportunity opportunity to reflect on the dreams of Sardauna but also a way of putting critical national and regional issues on the front burner.
He thanked Governor Lalong who as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum worked hard to ensure that the Traditional Institution is given a place in the governance of Nigeria much as it was during the time of the Sardauna.
The next Sardauna Lecture is scheduled to take place in Maiduguri.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 6th May 2023.
It was a moment of jubilation and thanksgiving at the Government House, Rayfield Jos as family, friends and staff converged to rejoice with Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong who turned 60.
Governor Lalong accompanied by his wife Regina Lalong was ushered into the presence of enthusiastic guests and well wishers who came to congratulate him and wish him well.
Chaplain of the Government House Chapel Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep said the special day calls for thanksgiving and prayers to God for giving the Governor long life and good health particularly during his 8 year term as Governor.
He said the Governor has consistently relied on God and remained humble, compassionate and fair in running the affairs of the State.
While praying God to grant him many more years of good health, divine protection and God’s grace, the Chaplain said Lalong will continue to soar higher because of his total dependence on God and ability to carry people along.
Other speakers who include the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Mrs Regina Soemlat, Permanent Secretary Government House Administration Mrs. Mary Afan mni, Special Adviser on Job creation Hon. Samuel Kwampkur among others all eulogised the Governor and commended him for being a man of integrity and love which has seen him surmount many challenges of the State.
Wife of the Speaker House of Assembly Mrs. Yakson Sanda who proposed the toast also prayed God to continue to bless the Governor as he moves to higher responsibilities.
She said there is no doubt that he has done well to serve his people and give everyone a sense of belonging.
While supervising the cutting of the cake, the Permanent Secretary Government House Administration Mrs. Mary Afan explained that the cake was fashioned to depict the newly constructed British-American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Junction Roundabout as a way of expressing appreciation to him for doing a lot of projects in the State.
Responding, Governor Lalong thanked God for his love and mercies saying the grace has been sufficient for him over the last 60 years.
He appreciated all who came to celebrate him as well as those who called or sent him messages of goodwill.
Lalong said the birthday is a special one for him because it reminds him of the support he has enjoyed from many people over the years as well as during his term as Governor which is about to end.
Meanwhile the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund Sir Joseph Ari has extended warm greetings to the Governor on the auspicious occasion of his 60th birthday.
The Director General in a message he personally signed said the humble beginnings of the Governor and his progress in life shows that God is with him.
He said the Governor has become a role model and source of motivation for the younger generation having become Speaker, Governor, Chairman Northern Governors Forum and Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council.
Despite these positions, Sir Ari noted that Lalong has remained humble, hardworking, committed and determined to make a difference in the lives of people he has had dealings with.
He wished him more years of God’s grace and wisdom.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 5th May 2023.
The Holy Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 8 says “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride” (New Living Translation). This verse does not only convey divine truth that has stood the test of time, but aptly captures the life trajectory of Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, CON, Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum who turns 60 on 5th May 2023. Incidentally, his 60th birthday is coming as he prepares to handover to the next Governor of Plateau State at the end of his 8 year tenure.
For the man Simon Bako Lalong, fate, fortune and the grace of God are visible all over him having come from an obscure background from his little-known village of Ajikamai, Nyak, in Shendam Local Government of Plateau State. His story is one of grass to grace built on virtues of humility, love, service, tolerance, broad-mindedness and teamwork which have guided him all through life.
Trained as a lawyer, Lalong started his political journey through youth activism within the socio-cultural organisation of the Gamai people, Gamai Youth Movement as well as the Plateau Youth Council which threw some spotlight on him that later blossom and took him to limelight which he enjoys today.
Right from his childhood, Lalong had the innate feeling that he was called to serve and needed to develop himself particularly through education that will give him the capacity to stand among the high and low and effectively add value to humanity. His passion was to become a lawyer. This perhaps explains why despite so many opportunities for a career in football up to the national stage, he chose rather to pursue academics and fulfill his dream of wearing the wig and gown.
Although he had an offer to be a civil servant at the FCDA Abuja after his youth service, he declined and chose to practice his most cherished ambition of law. This brought him back to Jos where he began practice and later delved into politics.
From his election into the Plateau House of Assembly to represent Shendam Constituency in 1999, Lalong jettisoned his early childhood values that were engraved in his heart by his family and the Catholic Church. Those who know him testify of his loyalty, love, respect, humility and compassion which have grown over the years and opened doors for him across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the world at large.
Many recall his sojourn as the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly and his travails over refusal to superintend over the illegal impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye. Because he would not subvert the constitution and tore the path of impunity, dictatorship and criminality, he spent 40 days and 40 nights in EFCC detention. His loyalty to the constitution, the people of Plateau State and Governor Dariye whom he felt should have fair hearing as provided by law was tested and he passed.
This singular act cost him so much and threw him in the cold as his seat was vacated even after he won the election for his recall which was induced by the powers that be in collaboration with Federal Might. However, his good heart and his principled stance to do the right thing coupled with his contentment, trust in God, and love for others was to restore him to limelight again in 2015 when the people of Plateau State remembered his good works as Speaker and chose him to become Governor.
On coming into office, he inherited a myriad of challenges which included insecurity, a despondent and demoralized civil service, uncompleted and abandoned projects, lack of inclusivity in governance, as well as a State that was in dire need of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. He did not waste time in bringing the people of Plateau State together and addressing the challenges.
He immediately paid 5 months withheld wages under no-work-no-pay policy and cleared inherited salary arrears of 8 months from the past administration. The same story applied to pension arrears of about 10 months which he equally cleared. This earned him the nickname “Governor Alert” bestowed upon by the civil servants.
Rather than embark on ego trip of commencing new projects while the State littered with abandoned projects, Lalong chose to complete those inherited even though from a government of PDP. These include the Mararaban Jama’a road which was just about one lane done as well as the Secretariat Junction flyover; old-airport to Rayfield; Rayfield to Bukuru etc. Same applied to abandoned general hospitals such as Riyom, Langtang South, Kanke which he completed. Sadly, this was to be used against him by his opponents who despite enjoying these infrastructures claimed he never did a “single” project in 8 years – a propagandist lie that unfortunately sank into the gullible.
But Simon Lalong whose heart is like that of a child refused to be intimidated or harassed by frivolities and kept carrying out inherited and new projects. Today, the brand new British American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Junction Roundabout has been completed and will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari soon. Same goes for the High Court Complex Headquarters, the Multi-door Courthouse and ADR Centre; NUJ Secretariat, Kalong-Angwan Dadi bridge (longest in Plateau); Shendam bye-pass and internal roads; of Longvel-Yelwa-Mato Junction-Taraba border road among; Legacy projects among others across the State.
When you talk about peace and security, Lalong gave it his best shot by not only dressing the surface, but going down to the root to tackle the causes. His style has been to remove fear and mutual suspicion from the hearts of citizens who had enjoyed peaceful coexistence for decades until crises merchants succeeded in dividing them along ethno-religious lines. While he strengthened the instrument of law enforcement to deal with criminals, he also came up with the Peace Building Agency which is the first of its kind in the country and backed by law. He ensured that crucial laws were enacted and signed such as the Anti-Land Grabbing and Anti-Kidnapping and Violence against persons.
Although there is no absolute security yet, citizens of Plateau State, Nigerians and members of the international community who earlier felt unsafe in Plateau have confessed that Lalong scored a goal in security and peace with abundant evidence to show. Nightlife is back to Jos while “no-go-areas” have drastically faded. Public and privates institutions across Nigeria have once more made Plateau State their conference and events capital as they jostle to host one national conference or the other. Hotel and hospitality businesses are booming while many investors who earlier left Plateau have returned. Even property owners have enjoyed a boom under Lalong as Plateau is once more the true Home of Peace and Tourism.
The footprints of Governor Lalong on the Plateau are very visible across all sectors and all Local Governments of the State. Whether it is the education sectors where he took over a moribund Plateau State University Bokkos and turned it into a 7-Faculty institution with 7 convocations in its kitty and a PG School; or the revamping of the Plateau Specialists Hospital with the acquisition of Ultra-modern medical equipment such as Superstar MRI Machine, 64 slices CT Scanner, 4D-Ultrasound Scanner and Digital X-Ray Machine among others; or the deepening of systems for transparency, accountability and good governance in the State which has earned the State national and international recognition, the man Lalong is leaving large footprints in the political landscape of Plateau, albeit quietly as the silent achiever he is.
While some could have disagreed with him over some of his policies and actions, Lalong has never claimed to be a saint or infallible. Indeed those who know him testify that he is one of the meekest persons on the face of the earth who is not afraid to admit any shortcoming just as he can stick to his convictions even when everyone disagrees with him.
His 60th birthday which comes just weeks before he bows out as Governor makes it a day to pause and thank God for sending someone with his temperament, capacity, intellect, humility, courage and love to the people of Plateau and Nigeria at times such as this. Having done his best to serve and with the best intentions, he is eager to go and have some deserved rest and also spend some quality time with his family.
But whether this will be a reality for him is in doubt because having produced the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, many expect that he will again play a prominent role in actualizing the Renewed Hope Mandate of Tinubu/Shettima. Also, Lalong who was the leader of the Northern Governors who insisted that power should go back to the south in the interest of fairness and justice remains a strong figure in the ruling APC.
If history is anything to go by, Lalong who is not known to lobby for positions will once again have his past records speaking for him just as they did when he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, a position he has used to further demonstrate his capacity on the national stage and also ensure that Plateau remains in national relevance rather than obscurity.
The prayer for this man of peace and love is that God will continue to order his steps and give him more opportunities and make his paths shine brighter to serve humanity which has been his ambition from childhood. As this chapter of his life closes, there is no doubt that God is opening a new phase for him to once again demonstrate that love is the greatest according to Matthew 22: 37-40 which happens to be one of his most favourite scriptures in the Holy Bible.
Happy 60th birthday Your Excellency!
Makut Simon Macham, PhD, mnipr, is the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
*Mutfwang Retakes Plateau From APC For PDP* The much talked about 2023 general elections have finally come and various officials of government have been elected into the various offices provided for in the constitution of our nation. In Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been elected as the Governor to take over from the outgoing governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressives Congress, APC. It is reality that has happened and it will be more realistic on 29th may,2023 when the new Governor is sworn in as the new state chief executive of the state. It is not a speculation neither is it a dream,but a fact that must be acknowledged. That is the beauty of democracy which we have chosen to practice. God gives power to whoever He choses to give.So therefore, we have to pray for the new administration to succeed. We have had a number of successive regimes on the Plateau since the state was created ranging from the late JD Gomwalk, Dan Suleiman, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar the emancipator, etc (all of blessed memories) to Sir Fidelis Nanmiap Tapgun, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye, Senator Jonah David Jang, Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong and now to the incoming Barr Mutfwang. Under these administrations, Plateau State witnessed both high and low points. We give God thanks that democracy is growing and waxing stronger regardless of its slow speed and other factors. Transition committees on both sides and inaugurated. This is for a smooth and orderly transfer of power from Lalong to Mutfwang. There will be handing and taking over of not just political power but also of administrative, fiscal and policy instruments and structures of governance. A lot of things will surely happen on both sides. But it is very important for both sides to know what they are handing and taking over. What is Lalong handing over to Mutfwang and what is Mutfwang taking over from Lalong? It will be intereting to know and witness what Lalong is handing over so Plateau can equally know what Mutfwang will be handing over after his tenure. This is nothing but the basic work of democracy as demanded by principles of good governance. What is expected of the transition committees on both sides is not the traditional approach to issues just to fulfil all righteousness, but to do a thorough work that would trace how far the state has fared and the challenges being left behind for critical attention and focus. The committees must work hard to sectorally assess, analyse and identify key issues of progress and otherwise and profer solutions that will help the new government fill in the gaps. Plateau belongs to all of us and is bigger than us all. It is not about party but our collective progress. All of us suffers when a government fails and all of us smile when a government succeeds regardless of the party in power. A wholistic assessment and review of the 8 year administration of Lalong is very important. This is not to create an impression of probe but of the necessity of accountability to the people. Lalong was duely voted to perform some certain responsibilities and it is only proper that his outgoing government gives proper account of this stewardship, nothing more nothing less. Whoever goes into the democratic ring knows very well that no matter how long he or she stays, there is a terminal dateline. Even nations that don’t have time limits for their leaders, end up anyway anyhow. We continue to hear bogus claims and counter claims about the debt profile of the state depending which side one is talking from. But the committee can easily get across to the debt management office, DMO in Abuja for confirmation. We keep hearing many funny stories about contracts, thousands the of last minute employments to create problems for the incoming government, joint State and local government accounts and what is being released to our LGA chairmen monthly as against what the LGAs are entitled to. This must be unearthed for Plateau people to know. What about the bailout and COVID-19 funds that accrued to the state some years ago? How were they spent? What of other domestic debts gotten from banks? Were they judiciously applied? What are the terms of all the monies borrowed and their repayment plans? Was the government just collecting loans without purpose, focus and plans of repayment? What of other refundable monies paid to the state? What about other charitable and compassionate interventions from the federal government and other donor agencies? What about the internally generated revenues of the state? All these and more are what should form the basic focus of the transition committees ahead of the handing and taking over. This is democracy and government belongs to the people. There is always time to get into office and there is time to give account of all that one does in office. Politics must be separated from governance. Lalong has done his quota and about to vacate the scene for good. To me, he has not only demonstrated incapacity and political laziness, acute unintelligence in governance but unwillingness to deliver even where the opportunities are there. He is the worst governor to have ruled Plateau. He loves raw power but not ready to translate it to any meaningful impact. He always wants to be a leader where two or three are gathered, and always want to show off, but he lacks the capacity , ability and intelligent quotient to make a leadership difference.. He has demonstrated social primitivism and local brigandage in politics. There is nothing to learn from the type of politics Lalong has played. He has refused to connect to the national grid but chose to remain a local champion. I pray and believe that Mutfwang will be different and will not go the way of this accidental governor. I have great hope that the incoming governor will be different.This is not because he is my party man, but because from his antecedents, one can deduce a lot. The Bible says,” out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh”. What is Mutfwang saying and what has Lalong said in the last 8 years? While Mutfwang has said a lot to the admiration of the people, Lalong has said nothing in 8 years. When a man says nothing it means there is nothing in his heart and when there is nothing in one’s heart, it means no meditation takes place. Meditation is the place of self assessment ,deep thinking, reflections, etc which is part of the central human faculty of rational thinking. Obviously one cannot compare Lalong with an urbaned, metropolitan, cosmopolitan, exposed, sound, well educated and strategic thinking Caleb Mutfwang. Even though both are lawyers, we have never seen or heard anything legal about Lally boy. What he specializes is the intentional violation and breaching of laws which a lawyer should not. Out of office, he should reflect on all the many impunities he has committed against the laws of the land just to protect his incapacity. A serial violator of the law is obviously one who has no capacity to act in the way of the law and the only option is to be a bull in a China shop.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says he has fulfilled his pact with workers in the State and is leaving behind a good legacy welfare of improved welfare and a professionalised workforce.
Lalong was speaking at the Workers Day Celebration held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos with the theme “Workers’ Rights and Socioeconomic Justice”.
Being his last appearance for May Day as Governor of Plateau State, Lalong said the event presents him another opportunity to not only bid them farewell but also reflect on the great relationship he has shared with the workers in the past 8 years.
“I want to specially thank you my dear comrades for standing up to be counted in the task of rescuing Plateau from clutches of underdevelopment and despondency. Looking back at where we took over in 2015, it is clear that a lot of difference has been made not only in the civil service, but the entire sectors of the economy. You will recall that on coming into office, I assured you that the era of salary arrears will be a thing of the past. We immediately paid 5 months withheld wages under no-work-no-pay policy and cleared inherited salary arrears of 8 months from the past administration. The same story applied to pension arrears of over 10 months which we equally cleared” he said.
He said little wonder, the comrades of Plateau State gave him the title of “Governor Alert” which was affirmed and endorsed by the NLC under the leadership of immediate past President Comrade Ayuba Wabba.
Lalong recalled that his administration was among the first in the country to begin the implementation of the thirty thousand naira minimum wage and consequential adjustments.
He said “This Administration in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria also provided home renovation loan to over 2,500 civil servants in the approximate sum of three million naira each across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ease housing challenges they face.This is in addition to the assistance by Government to the Nigeria Labour Congress in the purchase of the land for the NLC Housing Project in Jebbu Miango, which I understand some blocks have been completed and will be commissioned before I leave office”.
According to the Governor, his administration was and still remains among the first and few in the country to grant financial autonomy to the Local Governments, the Judiciary, as well as Legislature.
He said these achievements and more would not have been possible without the remarkable cooperation of the Organised Labour and the synergy that has continued to grow between the various Unions and Government.
“We are highly appreciative of our workers and shall continue to ensure a harmonious government-labour relationship despite the attempt by some politicians and vested interests to come between us and use the labour to antagonise the Government with a view to discrediting it” he said.
Lalong said as he prepares to hand over to the incoming administration, he prays that they will give them the kind of support and cooperation he was given.
NLC Chairman Plateau State Comrade Eugene Manji and his TUC counterpart Comrade Kenneth Shammah said the workers in Plateau are highly appreciative of the love and care shown to them by Governor Simon Lalong in the past 8 years.
They said the Governor apart from clearing all the inherited backlogs of salaries, has remained consistent in ensuring that workers are paid depsite the economic challenges.
However, they enumerated many issues including pending promotions, the implementation of harmonised retirement age for teachers among others which need to be addressed.
Head of Service Plateau State Engr. Sunday Hyat thanked the workers for remaining steadfast and supporting the Government to carry out its mandate.
He said Governor Lalong stands out for his compassion and love for workers by giving approvals for despite several economic challenges.
Guest Speaker Prof. Dung Pam Sha bemoaned the disparity between the workers and elites saying there injustice in earnings in the country which must be addressed without further delay.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 1st May 2023.
On an auspicious occasion such as the Workers Day, the Rt Hon Yuduf Adamu Gagdi has joined other leaders to felicitate with the Nigerian working class by celebrating their commitment and patience in the face of daunting challenges facing the nation.
‘Having been one of you and even gone through the vagaries of life together,’ Gagdi notes with concern that as workers celebrate, they must not forget the forces that have continued to shape their struggles.
Despite living at a time that life for most families have been more challenging, Nigerian workers must have faith and believe in our capacities to surmount them for a better tomorrow. ‘I therefore salute your enormous courage in the face of the challenges’.
Having embarked on a journey that sees us as One nation, forward together’, Gagdi is optimistic that if given the opportunity to serve in the capacity of Speaker in the 10th Assembly, together with his colleagues the rights of the Nigerian worker shall always be protected.
Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been making bogus claims of being a darling party of the state, and feels on top of Mount Kilimanjaro with delusionary hype from multi distinct names of individualistic party faithful on social media to appear as sea of indigenous lovers and admirers of the party celebrating the governorship misty and mirage victory occasioned by political atrocities of different kinds. The party is merely imposing itself on the state and claiming to be loved. It’s like a rapist who rapes women and claims their submission to be out of their own volition. Before his demise, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, confessed to election rigging by the PDP. On 31st March, 2018 on Channels Television. Senator Jonah David Jang, PDP’s patriarch earlier than Mantu’s confession declared openly that God approves successful rigging. This he said on May 27, 2013 at Faithway Chapel after defeating Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, then Rivers State Governor, during their Nigerian Governors Forum election with 16 against 19 votes. It should be noted that the PDP is highly an immoral party with no regards to Electoral Act or conscienceness when it comes to elections. Then Niger state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida, a strong force in the PDP said on January 6, 2015, “If you cannot lie, get out of politics. Anything you are involved in has its own rule.” He also said, “If you are talking of honesty or morals, go and become an Imam or pastor. Politics cannot be the way it used to.” Look at the sequence, Jang said God approves successful rigging in 2013, almost two years after, in 2015, Babangida Aliyu said there is no morality in politics, and three years later in 2018, Mantu said they have been rigging elections. Where is the truth in the PDP? Despite their confessions and the ugly fragmented picture they gave themselves, the PDP in Plateau has fully portrayed itself a full blown political immoral guru by its 2023 electioneering campaign of character assassination and letters forgeries. It’s an open secret that the party forged a letter and alleged it to have been written by the Labour Party, LP, National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure telling the people of Plateau to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang. The same party forged a letter alleged to have been written by Dr. Patrick Dakum, governorship candidate of the LP, accepting the cock and bull letter of stepping down for Mutfwang. The same Mutfwang was reported on Jay FM thanking Dakum for stepping down for him. The fictitious news was spread on AIT and Jay FM, likewise their teeming propagandists spread across the four corners of the state. Funny enough was the usage of the picture snapped when Dakum paid condolence visit to Mutfwang over the death of his mother and depicted the lie that the LP governorship candidate came and handed the party to him. Nentawe Yilwada, governorship candidate of the APC was shot with overdose of their immoral political serum of character assassination alleging that he is a stooge of the Caliphate and was all out to give the main market site for a Mosque construction and so many others. In fact, in 2006, the PDP had to adapt illegal impeachment of then governor, Joshua Dariye whom they suspended from the party in September 2015, to win the 2007 Governorship elections. If truly Plateau loves the PDP, why does the party indulge in illegal impeachment, lies, forgery and character assassination to win elections? Before the PDP should make any claim and boast that it’s loved by Plateau, let it win under clean electioneering campaign without rigging at the polls. This is the clean test of popularity and love.
Dr. Sunday Patrick Dakum, Chief Executive Officer of Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, and Plateau State Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections salutes the entire Nigeria workforce as they observe the 2023 Labour Day popularly called Workers Day. Dakum expresses satisfaction of being Plateau State governorship candidate on their party’s platform, the Labour Party, saying workers are remarkable, indispensable and paramount force in societal running and sustenance being its engine room. And that without them, the society will standstill, retard, deteriorate and gone into stupor. He praises them for their continuous resilience and perseverance in giving their all to ensure the country develops and progresses in the face of skyrocketing inflation with poor remuneration as their take home pay, and calls on them not to relent but keep putting in their best for their sake, children and posterity. Dakum encourages workers to celebrate their day with reflection on how they would improve and bring fabulous creativity and innovation to bear on their jobs and working place, and not to be deterred by irregularities and misgivings to deny them the attainment of expertise in their career; and to use the day to pray for the country to succeed. He further commends and says a big thank you to all staff of IHVN for what he describes as undaunted, committed and relentless workaholic strides in the institution’s affairs leading to its success and progress. In the same vein, Dakum admonishes the government at all levels to look into the plight of Nigerian workers and ameliorate their hardship by improving their condition of service so as to boost their morale the more to put in their best; and to ensure that strong measures are put in place to curb the brunt which will be occasioned by removal of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, subsidy that obviously will take its toll on workers. Signed: Shabul Mazadu Media Consultant 1st May, 2023
The piece written and tagged “as Mutfwang takes over governance in Plateau state” which is credited to one Hon Timothy Golu was perused by many discerning minds and easily seen to be completely empty and would have been wished away with a mere fling of a finger but for us to make straight the intellectual distortion the shallow piece might cause some misinformed gullibles, we decided to write to correct such an impression in the minds of Plateau people who know the truth about governance and the benefits being enjoyed in the course of the almost 8 years political journey of this present administration. We went through the piece to our utter dismay that such piece could be written by someone of your caliber. It is not totally surprising considering the desperation your type are into, in quick search to hold on to power simply for just the fun of it. It is quite disheartening to every good Plateau man/woman who has been in this very state under the pragmatic leadership of Rt Hon (Barr) Simon Bako Lalong, to have read this from you. Firstly, for someone like you to have ascribed H.E,Governor Lalong with unpalatable and unprintable words such as incapacity, political Laziness and unintelligence in governance exactly describe who you truly were when you represented the good people of Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam (PKK) in the national assembly between 2015 to 2019. No wonder, you were roundly beaten to stupor thereby denying you the chance to go back to the National Assembly for second tenure. In your wildest dream and the figment of your imagination, you would have wished that the People’s Governor could do like you did, but you were put to shame by his conspicuous performance all over the state. This was visibly made manifest in the people’s resolve to elect him again to serve another four years which is coming to an end with progress reports scattered all over the state for everyone to see and feel.
Secondly, you ignorantly or deliberately claimed that Lalong loves raw power. This is quite laughable because everyone who is in Plateau state right from the entrenchment of this present democracy will agree to the fact that even when there was clear opportunity for him to betray his then boss, Chief J. C Dariye, he wasn’t desperate for such. This clearly shows that he is such a calm man who believes in destiny. He refused to bow to the pressure from the powers that be above to subvert the will of the people. He stood firm for truth and he was vindicated. What more do you want of a gentle personality such as this? Thirdly, how can someone who claims to love Plateau state be so blind to the realities on ground concerning Lalong and his connection to the national level of politicking where countless projects are littered everywhere due to his genuine connection to the national political grid. Need we mention some of the projects and appointments he attracted to Plateau for you? We don’t think there is need for that. But because of sheer mischief, you decided to paint him black when there is absolutely no need/truth to do so. If H.E, Lalong was a local champion as you mischievously claimed, who would have made him the campaign DG of the Tinubu/Shetima campaign Council, a struggle that paid off with the emergence of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25th Presidential election? Who again would have been instrumental for siting the many projects and appointments to Plateau state? It baffles us to read your piece having these bile and toxins. This shows how bitter you are about the governor for no just cause rather than just pure hatred for only God knows why. Even though your type keeps painting the payment of salaries as never an achievement, we want to educate you and the few disciples of yours that the multiplier effect of such an action(salary payment) is quiet monumental and positive as it translates into spending on several other sectors thereby boosting the economy. It is on record that from 1999 till date, Governor Simon Bako Lalong remains the best in salary payment amongst all those who have governed the state as he is currently planning to ensure that every salary is paid to all categories of the state’s workforce before he leaves office on May 29th to the admiration of all Plateau workers. We are very much aware of the fact that for the past four years, your jar had been dry and your throat has desperately been on high demand for a thirst quencher. But we advise you that in searching for such crumbs from this incoming partime government of Mutfwang, please do so with utmost decorum lest your seeming glimpse of respect dissolve like salt in a hot Sahara. We advise you to tread with caution by remaining on your lane without distorting the truth about the overwhelming performance of H.E,Barr Simon Bako Lalong to the good people of Plateau. Stop disgracing yourself with all sorts of your “mouth diarrheanism” simply for the pot of stew you daily yearn for. A word is indeed enough for the wise.
On behalf of my family and the entire team Positive Impact to humanity, we felicitate with the Nigerian workers over their resilience, commitment and sacrifice to duty on this special day. Your show of love for the country and humanity is really appreciated.With your efforts and creative energies I believe that it is very possible to create economic buoyancy and wealth in the country.
Let me equally use this medium to challenge all employers to place the right premium on their workforce, no company or organization becomes great without the input of the workers. No matter the amount of investment available, the people make the success or failure of a company.
As we celebrate Workers Day today, I implore all corporate entities to put their people first.
Happy Workers day.
HON.CHIEF.AMB. DEWAN K. GABRIEL, MEMBER -ELECT, PANKSHIN NORTH CONSTITUENCY.
Freelance Reporters 