By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
With less than two years to the next general elections, leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State have continued to intensified their strategy for Governor Simon Lalong to contest the 2023 presidential election.
They also pointed out that Governor Lalong’s handling of all the political situations in the State has been effective and that is why all the political crisis has not degenerated into violence.
The leaders met in Jos the State capital to deepen their strategy for Lalong’s presidential candidature.
They also discussed the recent political turmoil in the state and the state House of Assembly crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the leaders after their meeting, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said, “Despite the antics of the crisis merchants in the state, the Governor has been running an all-inclusive government and has also been managing the Northern Governors Forum, as its chairman, effectively.
He stressed that from the successes of Governor Lalong in Plateau State, his crisis management ability and how he has been able to bridge the ethno-religious gap among the different segments and populations, he (Lalong) is “undoubtedly a candidate who can deliver the nation and take it to a greater height”.
He urged the governor not to allow distractors in the state to distract him from his state, regional and national focus and commitments, adding that the Governor’s “achievements, developments strides and peaceful nature is obvious”.
Zazzaga explained that, “Lalong posses the leadership skills to take Nigeria to an enviable height and boost unity of the country following his antecedents.
He called on the governor to remain resolute and continue to build bridges of understand among the people of Plateau and beyond so that the ethno-religious division in the society can be resolved.
According to him, “Lalong is a man with people’s interest and concern at heart, and that is why despite the harsh economic reality in the country and the dwindling revenue to the state, the governor has continued payment of salaries, while other state governors could not meet up.
He said their full plan for their support and push for Lalong’s 2023 candidature will be revealed very soon as they are still making wide consultations across the nation.
On the crisis rocking the State House of Assembly over the purported impeachment of the Speaker, they said they are watching things closely and will not hesitate to tackle those bent on causing problem in the House.
They said the recent statement by the former governor of the state, Jonah Jang, to lead protest against the happenings in the House as “unfortunate”, saying that such remarks is capable of causing crisis.
They called on Jang to act like an elder statesman and should not say or do anything capable of causing chaos.
