Lalong tasks politicians on unity of purpose

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has urged public office holders in the state to shun political bickering and divisive tendencies, stressing that intrigues and bitterness lead to instability and bad governance.

The Plateau governor, who made the call during the reception in honour of the new Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, said public office affords one the opportunity to serve the people.

However, immediate past governor, Capt. Idris Wada (rtd.), remarked that President Muhammadu Buhari had acknowledged the Confluence State as a stronghold of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by Tallen’s ministerial appointment.

Wada noted that by ignoring the Igala clan in the choice of ministerial candidate from the state, the president had shown the ruling party’s loss confidence in Governor Yahaya Bello to win the November 16, 2019 governorship election.

He contended that the appointment of Dr. Ramatu Aliyu as Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was merely to reward the woman’s contribution to the ruling party and not a strategic consideration to appreciate or woo Kogi people.

“I feel the appointment of the new minister of state for FCT is out of personal recognition because, in the last dispensation, Bello’s candidate was from Kogi East. It is, therefore, obvious that either the former minister did not perform satisfactorily or that the president does not have confidence in the governor,” he stated.

Lalong, who was joined at the reception by the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Senators Ignatius Longjam, Hezekiah Dimka and Istifanus Gyang, as well as traditional rulers led by the Gbom Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang, among other citizens, described the selection of Tallen as a minister by Buhari as God’s will, which must be respected and supported.

He said: “In life, God has a purpose for everybody. If you are patient, your time will come. Sometimes you struggle for it, but will not get to you; and sometimes you don’t struggle for it and God will give it to you on a platter of gold.”

Tallen commended the governor for the honour done to her, even as she assured of her loyalty, maintaining that she would do everything to support the governor to deliver on his rescue agenda for the state.