PLATEAU: Major Appointments Have Been Made

After a brief studied silence, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State announced some principal appointments that are very strategic to the running of the new government in the state.

As a result of this, the Director-General of his campaign organisation, Mr. Rufus Bature was appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He is an interesting personality. Despite the fact that he is Berom and Governor Jonah Jang is also Berom, Bature stuck his neck to campaign vigorously against Jang’s favoured governorship candidate who is also a Berom man.

However, Bature’s appointment has more to it than meets the eyes. He was the Minority Leader on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) in the Plateau State House of Assembly while Lalong then was the Speaker of the House. Senator Joshua Dariye was the governor then.

However, the governor has not announced the list of commissioners as many factors need to be considered to ensure that all the ethnic nationalities are represented. Besides, the contribution of votes from each ethnic nationality will also be put into consideration.

An APC stalwart told The Guardian that they want to make sure that all the loopholes are plugged so that mistakes, if at all there will be, are not many.”

To compensate this rare display of bravery and support, Bature was appointed as the (SSG). Also appointed Chief of Staff is John Dafwan while Barrister Yusuf Gambo Hawaja was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff and Silas Vem is appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor.

Also on the list of appointment is the Director – General Research, Prof. John Wade. Wade was the former Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University Bokkos who left after serving the mandatory four years. He was appointed VC under the Chief Joshua Dariye’s administration.

Mr. Cyril Tsenyil was also appointed the Accountant –General, while Cletus Kangkum was made the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor. Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, who had played an active role in making sure that Lalong won the governorship elections, is appointed Director of Press and Public Affairs.