By Agabus Pwanagba, Jos
As politicking for the 2023 general elections gathers momentum Governor, Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Monday appealed to politicians in the State to embrace peace and exercise caution as they intensified their campaigns.
The Governor reminded politicians in the state to preach peace as they go about their political activities, saying that without peace there will be no election.
Lalong disclosed this at the commemoration of the 2022 Forgiveness Day, with the theme: “Forgiving the Past to Reconcile the Future”
held at the Garden of “Peace and Forgiveness”, in Jos, the State Capital.
It would be recalled that on February 7th 2019, Governor Lalong inaugurated the ‘Garden of Forgiveness’ in Jos and declared the day as Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.
He said, “I wish to specially appeal to the political class to tow the same line of the traditional, religious and community bodies by anchoring their political messages on love, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
“As the race towards the 2023 election intensifies, there is every need to exercise caution and responsibility in an attempt to get votes.
“Let us always remember that without peace, there will not even be elections or the positions we seek to occupy.
“I wish to again ask our citizens and the media to avoid the dissemination of messages that stir anger and incite the people to violence, revenge and unforgiveness”, he admonished
Lalong explained that his administration inherited killings in most local government areas of the state which claimed many lives and destroyed many properties.
“You will recall that some Local Government Areas like Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom and Jos North were hot-beds of ethno-religious crisis and violent attacks where precious human lives and property were lost.
“I am glad to say that as at today, we have restored some level of calm and peace in those areas; while work is continuing to ensure that every remaining obstacle to peace is removed”, he maintained.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Mr Joseph Lengmang said, “We are gathered here today, to commemorate a day that the Plateau State Government, through the Plateau Peacebuilding Agency (PPBA) has designated as Forgiveness Day. This is a day when our people and communities of different faith, ethnicity and tribe meet in a symbolic fashion to converse in an atmosphere of love and brotherhood.
According to him, “The essence is to reflect and talk to ourselves in a very honest and open-minded fashion; identifying points of differences and also points of convergence, especially as they pertain to issues of peace and security in our state.
“Since 2019, we have observed this day with a view to raise awareness on the healing and somewhat magical powers of forgiveness and reconciliation.
“I am aware that it is sometimes very difficult for people to comprehend the fact that in order for us to heal, then we must first, forgive all those who have hurt or offended us. This is something we must accept to do even unconditionally as clearly stated in holy Scripture-Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
“And so this day teaches us that forgiveness involve some efforts which can help us break free from the shackles of the past, so we can in turn rediscover or restore happiness back to our lives”, Lengman explained.
“Our history in the last 20 years, has been checkered with very ugly occurrences in the form of ethno-religious and inter-communal conflicts and in some cases terrorism. The enemies of our state both from within and without have not relented in pitching us against each other. The consequences in terms of the destruction of human lives and property and also the breakdown of hitherto healthy inter-communal relationships can only be better imagined”, the DG further explained.
“Yet, the sheer resilience of the Plateau spirit that was passed down to us from our forebears, require that we never relent in pursuing the cause of Peace and the restoration of broken relationships as well as the repair of the broken social fabric of our society”, he stressed.
