Attai Audu Jos.
Deputy Governor of Plateau state Proffessor Sonnie Tyoden has officially declared his interest to his party leadership that he is interested in Plateau Governordhip race to succeed his Boss Governor Simon Lalong come 2023.
Tyoden made this declaration on Thursday at his party state Secretariat in Jos while briefing his state party leadership led by the state party chairman Hon Rufus Bature.
According to him, ” I believe strongly that I have a great deal to contribute to the development of Plateau State given my experience in the enterprise of governance for nearly seven years now.”
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He hinted that he has been a passionate and uncompromising co- driver of the Rescue Administration ably led by Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, the Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF).
He , added that he can proudly declare that the Rescue Administration under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has redefined governance in the state and this explains the significant progress in the socioeconomic and political development recorded in the state.
“My aspiration is partly motivated by the burning desire to sustain and possibly expand the frontiers of the legacies of the Rescue Administration in the state.”
The Plateau Deputy Governor hinted that It is common knowledge that Plateau State is a microcosm of the larger Nigerian society in the sense that it is characterised by the same social pluralism such as ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic diversity.
” Governing a state that is as diverse as Plateau State requires one with good sense of tact, strategic and critical thinking to build robust social cohesion and harmony among the diverse social elements as a necessary precondition for sound and effective governance'”
According to him,. ” This is what the Rescue Administration has successfully done and I hope to improve on it to bring about seamless unity and harmony among the diverse groups in the state”
He added that. Once they have been able to overcome the challenge of unity and integration in the Plateau State, the foundation for good governance that will make citizens radiate with happiness and contentment is laid.
“This will eliminate all sources of social frictions that have conspired to slow down the pace of development of the state.”
The Governordhip hopeful stated that his over 40 years of public service experience has adequately equipped and prepared him for the arduous task of governing the state as most of his working life has been in the University system where he rose to become the Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious University of Jos between 2006 and 2011.
” I came on board at the time the University community was deeply polarised along different tendencies and had nearly crippled the administration of the University but added that through systemic, critical and strategic thinking, he was able to unite the diverse interests in the University and gave every group a sense of inclusion and belonging in the mainstream affairs of the University.”
Tyoden told his party leadership that with all sense of humility, he can say so far, “I have been the most celebrated Vice-Chancellor of the University. I could not have done this alone but I provided strategic leadership towards this end. This same experience can be used to build Plateau State that is socially cohesive, politically stable, economically prosperous and culturally integrated.” He stressed
He further stressed that Plateau State has come a long way in the trajectories of development, adding that the people have seen the good, the bad and ugly.
” The Rescue Administration that I have been part of since 2015 has been a sensitive, caring and responsive administration driven by the values of integrity, transparency, accountability, trust, and rule of law conscious”
. He noted that “These ethical principles underwrite our administration and I will remain faithful to them to drive governance under my leadership.'”
He promised to run an an all- inclusive government that reflects the social diversity of the state. Youth, women and that persons living with disability will be accorded the highest consideration in the composition of government.
” This is to afford them two groups the much-desired opportunity to contribute to the governance of the state. Plateau State has always been known for its progressive orientation and this will be improved upon to give these special groups audible voice in the enterprise of governance”
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Earlier Tyoden had inaugurated his local government Coordinators in the 17 LGAs of his state at his campaign Secretariat at Kalwa House before he officially made his public declaration at his party state Secretariat in Jos
Responding, APC state Chairman of the party Rufus Bature Commended the state Deputy Governor for joining gubernatorial race in the state.
He said Tyoden is reliable in all sense of the word and can be trusted with leadership of the state if given the opportunity in 2023.
Oracle Reporters 