His Excellency,Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang recently received the report of Strategic Plan and Transition Implementation Committee headed by Professor Ganyir Lombin and was shocked to discover from the report that Plateau state dept now stands at N307BN,
This shocking report by the Committee on a Four-Year Strategic Development Blueprint for Plateau State and that of the Plateau State Transition Committee all headed by Prof. Ganyir Lombin were presented to Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.
…NO RECORDS OF EXPENDITURE BETWEEN JAN-MAY, 2023.
The Barr. Caleb Mutfwang’s administration in Plateau State is inheriting a total debt burden of N307 billion from the immediate past administration of the State.
Receiving the reports, the Governor said, “I want to assure you all that these reports will not gather dust on the shelves. We are going to make prudent use of them and study them appropriately. These reports will give rise to further investigation, will give rise to further studies that we need to embark upon and we will not waste time in doing so by the grace of God.
“You highlighted the debt burden. I knew that throughout the campaign, we were under the mistaken belief that our debt burden was around N200 billion and to hear that it is N307 billion is quite intimidating and worrisome”.
“But by the grace of God, the challenges we are confronted with are not insurmountable. Of particular concern is the issue of security which unfortunately has become to us, a major distraction. We are confident that by the grace of God, with some of the new security personnel on the ground, and with the Special Adviser on Security assuming responsibility, we will be able to see a difference, not too long from now.”
The Governor expressed his determination to fulfill his constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of Plateau State and said no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that the Plateau legacy as a Home of Peace and Tourism is restored within a short time.
Prof. Ganyir Lombin who headed the two Committees expressed gratitude that they were allowed to serve the state in that capacity but said that the committee was faced with some very formidable operational challenges that did not allow them to make a joint presentation.
He lamented that the out- gone administration of Barr. Simon Lalong did not avail the Committee the opportunity of making inputs into the handover documents submitted to the joint committee before May 29, 2023.
Prof. Lombin said the handover notes presented to the Governor by the out-gone administration on 29 May 2023 were scanty and lacked necessary details as they did not follow the agreed template developed by the Joint Committee.
He said, “The handover notes stated that the revenue which accrued to the Plateau State Government from May 2015 to May 2023 stood at N872 billion. The total expenditure was only given from May 2015 to December 2022 and not up to May 2023 at N810 billion.
“Does this suggest that there was no expenditure from January 2023 to May 2023? Or was it deliberate misinformation? The government needs to look at this critically and where necessary, take approximate action.
“There is no clear figure for the state’s Monthly wage Bill. However, this administration has inherited a backlog of four months of unpaid salaries to public servants amounting to over N11 billion. Outstanding gratuity and Pension arrears of N24 billion was also inherited.
“The Legacy Projects are marred in controversies and unresolved legal cases which have stalled their implementation. Currently, the sum of N12 billion for this project is still in the custody of the Trustees of the funds.
“There are 3, 692 items of Government Assets and Properties including cars, houses that were sold and auctioned at a ridiculous price both within and outside the state. This needs to be further investigated and where necessary, appropriate action be taken.”
Prof. Lombin said Governor Caleb Mutfwang inherited a near-bankrupt state, with weak institutions, low public morale, and a high level of insecurity but with high expectations from the citizenry.
He described the task ahead of Governor Mutfwang as enormous but not insurmountable and expressed joy in the manner in which the Governor is determined to succeed in the pursuit of the collective interest of the Plateau people.
There is no denying the fact that there has been no let on the strangle hold on Plateau communities by enemies of the state for about 22 years running. Whatever view one holds as to the reasons for the attacks, one thing resonates: The blood spilled and wastages incurred are lamentable and unacceptable.
Since 2001 when Jos, the state capital, witnessed a violent clash, every successive government has had to deal with one form of crisis or another.
From the administration of Governors Joshua Chibi Dariye, Jonah David Jang, Simon Bako Lalong and, now, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, what has been witnessed can be described as planned and orchestrated to annihilate the people of the state.
If this is not genocide, as rightly described by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, pray, what better tag can be given to acts perpetrated by the attackers after an invasion?
Their uncharitable crudities are well documented to those who have followed their activities over the years as they are condemnable by men and women of goodwill.
What the people of Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos and Riyom cannot forget in a hurry is how their ancestral lands were taken over by bandits that attacked communities in these areas.
Land grabbing by the attacking forces easily became normal and intensified with thicker consistency, as they tried to obliterate the memories of the owners of the lands.
It is reason why scattered in many local government areas in the state are internally displaced persons, even as the humanitarian challenges have continually made headlines. These have certainly been some of the major planks of worry for the owners of the lands as well as government.
Since becoming Governor of Plateau State about 53 days ago, apart from ensuring that the state is put on the path of recovery on several fronts, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has remained an unrepentant advocate of the need for the state to remain peaceful, which will enable his government pursue the course of the much needed development.
You may recall that even before his inauguration on May 29, 2023, bandits had attacked several communities in Mangu, the governor’s local government area of birth in April 2023, leaving in their trail about 300 deaths or even more of the locals. The conflagration is the most unfortunate development on a people.
Apart from the harvest of deaths, the quantum of property lost can only be imagined; just as it is painful that most farmers are not able to access their farms. In an economy where the mainstay of the people is mainly subsistence farming, is it not painful that each year they live on the mercies of government, organizations and people whose rations barely sustain them?
Unfortunately, no one has been apprehended to face the law, even as the prevalence of attacks has increased in some other communities in the area as well as in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South.
The sad but almost daily occurrence has left much to be desired, even as the cry is for the security to bring the madness to an end.
Every sane man or woman desires an end to the attacks. The humanitarian crisis being faced in Mangu and other local government areas of the state where marauding bandits have attacked is beyond comprehension.
The state is sadly at the tipping point, which, in many respects, has aggravated more of Plateau citizens; just as government is desirous of bringing it to conclusion.
It is in the desire of Governor Mutfwang to get to the root of the insecurity in the state that his efforts can be perfectly situated and appreciated.
From day one, he made no pretence about what he needed to do in order to end the dastardly attacks on communities in the state.
The search for solutions, are in themselves, a reflection of the seriousness by the governor to put the pains behind the state.
Apart from receiving briefs from security chiefs in the state, he did what many governors had not thought of immediately when a situation like this occurs: He visited internally displaced persons in Riyom and Mangu to give them his government’s shoulders to lean on.
How pro-active could the governor have been by also visiting the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Habib Ahmed; where he called for support from the agency in aid of victims who have been made to go through the unfortunate humanitarian crisis.
If receiving the briefs meant anything, meeting the President was, in many respects, symbolic of a governor that is dedicated to redesigning the security architecture of the state for good.
We may not be privy to knowing what was on the agenda for the visit to Aso Rock; but it cannot be unconnected for him to solicit the cooperation of the Presidency in restoring peace to the beleaguered state.
The President gave matching orders on the insecurity situation in Plateau State to the security chiefs to bring to book all those involved in the carnage.
The orders, without any iota of doubt, brought security forces on their toes, as the tension in Mangu remains palpable, and the challenges remain the major concern of the government and of the communities.
While some may have wrongly accused him of not working to set the agenda for peace, little did they know of the governor’s strategic but deft moves to get on board those who can plan for him how security can be utilized for a workable architecture.
The appointment of Brig-General Gakji Shipi rtd as Security Adviser was applauded by those who know his worth in such matters.
That done, Governor Mutfwang could not have rested on his oars as he took time to visit the Defence Headquarters to parley with the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall, Hassan B. Abubakar with the need to strengthen the resolve to end the killings in the state.
He has also taken time to visit Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Gorge Akume, where he solicited for strategic collaboration to deliver the dividends of democracy to Plateau citizens and the people of North Central Nigeria.
Coming shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed security forces to bring to book those responsible for the continued attacks in the state; the renewed efforts to tackle insecurity challenges in the state remain on the front burner of curbing the attacks in more ways than one.
What Governor Mutfwang returned home with are revealing and reassuring to the people of Plateau State. The COAS told the governor to be rest assured that he came to the right place to seek for solution on the security challenges.
“We have taken some measures and we believe those measures will yield the desired results quickly.
“We are looking at other areas of intervention that can bring lasting peace to the troubled local governments and even the entire Plateau.
“We will stop at nothing in providing the combat enablers and other interventions that are required to bring lasting peace to the state.’’
It is gratifying to note that in each of the office of the security chief visited, a large retinue of officials, including members of the National Assembly, accompanied him.
This was to show their buy-in for the efforts to recreate a peaceful state. The Governor is working round-the-clock to convene an expanded stakeholders’ meeting where issues would be discussed to address the carnage and foster unity in the state.
He has always believed that he cannot jettison the views of others, as they will help proffer solutions arising from such a meeting. Such persons will include traditional rulers, clergymen; and critical opinion moulders in the communities who are able to jaw-jaw towards finding lasting solutions to the debacle.
All are aware that the state-controlled security outfit, code named, Operation Rainbow, has remained moribund for years. The need to streamline its activities and make it functional is to avoid working at cross purposes in the overall interest of the state.
Governor Mutfwang is aware and has not hidden the fact that Plateau at the moment is at a very challenging junction and we know that we will not be able to get out of the woods without the adequate support and involvement of the armed forces.
Continuing, the governor told the Chief of Army Staff, ‘Plateau, as you all know, is known to be the Home of Peace and Tourism and we are determined to ensure that that status is not lost’.
More importantly, and as always, ‘we want to ensure that Plateau remains home to every Nigerian and a compelling destination where every Nigerian that wants to find a place of refuge and a place of rest will go’ there.
How better said, for there is no doubt in Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s determination to return Plateau to its former status. While he is on the trail, what the citizens must do is to offer their support and encouragement in the best possible ways they can.
This is all for the good of the state and its development. The Time is Now for us to put aside our differences and unite for peace and development of our State.
The new Senate Minority Leader, Simon Davou Mwadkwon, has said he wished the immediate past Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal emerged as the minority leader instead of him.
Mwadkwon stated this during a chat with ARISE TV as Monitored by Oracle Reporters on issues regarding his emergence, adding that he respected the former House of Representatives Speaker.
Mwadkwon said he regarded Tambuwal as his political godfather, noting that he emerged as the minority leader mainly because he is from the North Central.
According to him “Mr Tambuwal is my political godfather. We’ve related very well. He was my speaker in the 7th Assembly and we speak very often. It would interest you to know that I have a soft spot for Tambuwal that I wish he became the minority leader”.
“But I’m from the North Central. And when we saw the arrangements and the political office sharing in the whole country, the North Central was completely exempted.
“So the North Central people met and took a decision and said no, we must also vie for a position in the Senate. We’ve been shortchanged in the House of Representatives .
“And when it was time for the Senate, we found out that no position had been given to the North Central, and we decided that we must try our best. So, the North Central took a decision. It would interest you to know that all members of the minority parties in the North Central nominated me and decided that I should go and run for this position. And therefore, I accepted the challenge. I’ve nothing personal against Tambuwal.
“I think Tambuwal did the magic even on the floor of the Senate that day, because there were a few persons who were not satisfied with my choice and they approached the Senate President saying that we have to go to the executive session. And the president explained to them and they understood the whole thing. And Tambuwal was the one that stood up and said if Senator Simon has this number of signatures, he wishes to state categorically clear that I should be allowed to hold this position .
I read the piece authored by Simon Lalong’s former commissioner for information, Mr. Yakubu Dati where he tried to launder the image of his principal, and I cannot help but shake my head in pity as it only points at one thing, that Lalong is desperately seeking for a job after losing his bid for vice presidency, senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation position.
Lalong would go down in history as the only Director General of a presidential campaign organisation who lost his ward, local government, federal constituency, senatorial district and state to opposition parties while serving as governor.
Dati’s piece which chose to project the former governor for ministerial or any other position was so self effacing that it is anchored on a trajectory of half truths, pure lies and concocted tales just to burnish the image of the former governor.
One would have thought that after serving as governor for eight years, anybody speaking for Lalong should have been able to do so with authority by uploading his achievements and positive policy interventions made during his tenure as governor and DG rather than resorting to cringe worthy ululations.
Dati started by saying that the position of a DG is no mean feat which is correct as it comes with enormous responsibilities.
But while I agree that serving as a DG is a no mean feat, one cannot say the same of what the former governor did with the position.
Rather than add value to the campaign, Lalong’s appointment as DG of Tinubu’s campaign organization unfortunately only elevated mediocrity to virtue as it exposed the lack of capacity of the DG which reflected in the results of the election where Lalong could not deliver his ward federal Constituency, Senatorial district and state in the presidential elections.
Tinubu’s choice of a DG was only because of the same faith of the APC presidential ticket which required some religious and geopolitical balancing, otherwise there were more programmatic political leaders across the country that would have done better.
Dati also did not tell the whole truth when he said that a tradition has been set where past presidents rewarded their campaign DGs with ministerial position and cited the cases of Obasanjo who rewarded Fidelis Tapgun with a ministerial position and Muhammadu Buhari who also rewarded Rotimi Amaechi with same and Good luck Jonathan, an ambassadorial position for Sarki Tafida.
This is half truth because Obasanjo and other former presidents did not reward their campaign DGs for the mere sake that they were campaign DGs. They were rewarded for the excellent works they did by delivering their wards, local government areas, states and even geopolitical zones to their parties.
Tapgun for instance delivered the entire Plateau State and many north Central states to the PDP presidential ticket in 2003, Tafida did the same for Jonathan in 2011 and Amaechi staked out his neck for Buhari against a sitting president.
In the case of Lalong however, he failed woefully to deliver his ward, his federal Constituency;, his senatorial zone (in an election he also contested); the governorship, and the presidential election, even with the powers of incumbency at both the state and federal levels, so he is the least qualified for reward.
The embarrassment he caused the APC presidential ticket by the losses alone made the party the stub of jokes where it was said that the campaign DG lost his state. Such an embarrassment should attract a stiff penalty to demonstrate why failure, complacency and mediocrity should not be rewarded.
Rewarding him with a ministerial position would be setting a dangerous precedence for rewarding failure and ineptitude which would be antithetical to the ideals of excellence that President Tinubu stands for which made him quite popular as governor of Lagos State.
Moreover, Dati forgot to mention that even Lalong is not a good example of what he is preaching as he did not reward his campaign DG, Pam Dung Gyang, with any position after he won the 2019 elections.
It is laughable and a case of another alternative truth that Lalong would claim he staked his neck out for Dariye when he was speaker of the state house of assembly.
The truth is that he owes his ascendancy to the speaker position to the magnanimity of Dariye and could not have mustered a single member to his side even if he had chosen to work against the former governor.
Lalong, contrary to the narrative of Dati, was subjected to recall by members of his constituency in Shendam who after comparing his sloppy outing with that of his predecessor, the indefatigable George Daika, decided to remove him from the House but out of pity and because of the wrong interpretation the move was given that it was the powers that be in Abuja that wanted to remove him, Dariye had to wade in and saved him from disgrace. Without Dariye, Lalong could not have survived one day on that seat and anybody can go and verify that.
Is it not a shame that while some former governors are playing statemanly roles and grooming others to leadership positions that all Lalong thinks about is himself?
Former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Elrufai for instance has said he will not accept a ministerial position but should be allowed to nominate younger persons so that they can be groomed for leadership positions.
But Lalong wants to be Senator, Senate President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister and Special Adviser all at once. And anybody that indicates interest in those positions becomes his enemy, that is why he is annoyed that certain political leaders on the Plateau went to visit the SGF, Senator George Akume.
Even if it is true like Dati said that it was Lalong that brought ‘unknown entities’ to national prominence, should he not, if he were a good leader, be proud to see that they’re doing well that they’re aspiring for other leadership positions?
His annoyance with them for being close to the grassroots goes to prove he is a selfish leader and confirms what people are saying that he only used one of them as a place holder; and even after she surrendered the Senate ticket to him, he couldn’t make anything out of it but went ahead to lose woefully at the general elections.
In the opinion of many, Senator Nora Dadut who held the Senate position briefly would have even done better than Lalong in the elections as she had used her brief stay in the Senate to win the hearts of the people which has made her very popular and well liked by all.
It was because of the impact she made while in the Senate that she’s being considered for a ministerial position and that is why Lalong has begun to see her as an enemy.
Part of the reasons Lalong lost the Senate seat was because the people wanted Dadut to come back because they said what she did for the South Senatorial zone in the less than two years in the senate was more than what Laong did for them in the eight years he was governor.
President Tinubu will do well to ignore the rants of Lalong and Dati who have no base or structure in their constituencies but are only barking from safe distances as they personify the perfect examples of what is known as Abuja politicians.
They leave their constituents in penury and when it is time to get something from Abuja they run like hawks making all sorts of claims.
In contrast, these leaders like Dariye, Pauline Tallen, Amos Gizo, Lumumba Adeh, Alphonsus Komsol, Nora Dadut and my humble self that Lalong is castigating are those that worked for the success of Tinubu during the APC primaries while Lalong was busy enforcing Rotimi Amaechi on Plateau delegates.
Dariye is well aware that after the federal government decided to grant him pardon, that it was Lalong that was all out trying to frustrate the move because he was afraid that if Dariye was released from prison ahead of the APC governorship primary, that the right things would have been done to choose a candidate for the party and not the shambolic one that produced a candidate solely chosen by the former governor on grounds that the candidate is childhood friend to his wife.
The former governor only wants to be appointed minister so that he can use the resources to sponsor Amaechi’s presidential campaign in 2027. Tinubu should beware of that!
If it is experience and competence that Tinubu is looking for, then Lalong should be that last person Tinubu should consider for anything coming to Plateau as the former governor lacks capacity and competence.
If it is mass appeal and ability to win votes, Lalong cannot compare himself to Dariye or Tallen or even Dadut who had displaced him as the voice of the Plateau South APC.
The fact is that Tinubu has given Lalong the opportunity to prove himself but the former governor has flunked it several times and failed to impress.
He organized the worst presidential campaign rally where huge amounts were voted but failed to rally round enough crowd until Hon. Aliyu Betara saved the day by bringing more people from Borno than the ones Lalong could mobilise in a state he had governed for eight years.
He also made the most embarrassing comments about ‘it’s our time to chop’ making the Tinubu presidency look like an opportunity to feast when the President has made it clear that he was coming to work for Nigeria and not to eat as Allah has already blessed him with what to eat.
Since all Lalong knows how to do is to eat, President Tinubu in the spirit of the moment can organize an eat-a-thon marathon for him to prove himself as the world record holder for eating.
That would be more appropriate than giving him any serious position of leadership.
Nakande is a former minister of information and communication.
Former Minister of state for Information and Communication Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande has expressed regret that Plateau former governor Simon Lalong appointment as Director General Of President Tinubu Presidential campaign Organization did not add value to the campaign but elevated mediocrity to virtue as Lalong lacked capacity to deliver Plateau state for Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential election.
Nakande gave this assertion on Monday in Jos in a statement in his reaction to Claims by Lalong ex Commissioner Yakubu Dati in the media that Lalong appointment as DG Tinubu Presidential campaign was not a mean fit.
According to Nakande while he agrees that serving as a DG is a no mean feat, one cannot say the same of what the former governor did with the position.
“ Rather than add value to the campaign, Lalong’s appointment as DG of Tinubu’s campaign organization unfortunately only elevated mediocrity to virtue as it exposed the lack of capacity of the DG which reflected in the results of the election where Lalong could not deliver his ward federal Constituency, Senatorial district and state in the presidential elections.
According to him, the piece authored by Simon Lalong’s former commissioner for information, Mr. Yakubu Dati where he tried to launder the image of his principal, ” I cannot help but shake my head in pity as it only points at one thing, that Lalong is desperately seeking for a job after losing his bid for vice presidency, senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation position.”
” Lalong would go down in history as the only Director General of a presidential campaign organisation who lost his ward, local government, federal constituency, senatorial district and state to opposition parties while serving as governor.”
Nakande noted that Dati’s piece which chose to project the former governor for ministerial or any other position was so self effacing that it is anchored on a trajectory of half truths, pure lies and concocted tales just to burnish the image of the former governor.'”
According to the former Minister, One would have thought that after serving as governor for eight years, anybody speaking for Lalong should have been able to do so with authority by uploading his achievements and positive policy interventions made during his tenure as governor and DG rather than resorting to cringe worthy ululations.
“Dati started by saying that the position of a DG is no mean feat which is correct as it comes with enormous responsibilities.”
”But while I agree that serving as a DG is a no mean feat, one cannot say the same of what the former governor did with the position.”
Nakande lamented that rather than add value to the campaign, Lalong’s appointment as DG of Tinubu’s campaign organization unfortunately only elevated mediocrity to virtue as it exposed the lack of capacity of the DG which reflected in the results of the election where Lalong could not deliver his ward federal Constituency, Senatorial district and state in the presidential elections.
” Tinubu’s choice of a DG was only because of the same faith of the APC presidential ticket which required some religious and geopolitical balancing, otherwise there were more programmatic political leaders across the country that would have done better.'”
” Dati also did not tell the whole truth when he said that a tradition has been set where past presidents rewarded their campaign DGs with ministerial position and cited the cases of Obasanjo who rewarded Fidelis Tapgun with a ministerial position and Muhammadu Buhari who also rewarded Rotimi Amaechi with same and Good luck Jonathan, an ambassadorial position for Sarki Tafida.”
” This is half truth because Obasanjo and other former presidents did not reward their campaign DGs for the mere sake that they were campaign DGs. They were rewarded for the excellent works they did by delivering their wards, local government areas, states and even geopolitical zones to their parties.”
Nakande hinted that Tapgun for instance delivered the entire Plateau State and many north Central states to the PDP presidential ticket in 2003, Tafida did the same for Jonathan in 2011 and Amaechi staked out his neck for Buhari against a sitting president.
” In the case of Lalong however, he failed woefully to deliver his ward, his federal Constituency;, his senatorial zone (in an election he also contested); the governorship, and the presidential election, even with the powers of incumbency at both the state and federal levels, so he is the least qualified for reward.”
“‘ The embarrassment he caused the APC presidential ticket by the losses alone made the party the stub of jokes where it was said that the campaign DG lost his state. Such an embarrassment should attract a stiff penalty to demonstrate why failure, complacency and mediocrity should not be rewarded.”
” Rewarding him with a ministerial position would be setting a dangerous precedence for rewarding failure and ineptitude which would be antithetical to the ideals of excellence that President Tinubu stands for which made him quite popular as governor of Lagos State.'”
‘” Moreover, Dati forgot to mention that even Lalong is not a good example of what he is preaching as he did not reward his campaign DG, Pam Dung Gyang, with any position after he won the 2019 elections.”
Nakande added that It is laughable and a case of another alternative truth that Lalong would claim he staked his neck out for Dariye when he was speaker of the state house of assembly.
” The truth is that he owes his ascendancy to the speaker position to the magnanimity of Dariye and could not have mustered a single member to his side even if he had chosen to work against the former governor.”
“Lalong, contrary to the narrative of Dati, was subjected to recall by members of his constituency in Shendam who after comparing his sloppy outing with that of his predecessor, the indefatigable George Daika, decided to remove him from the House but out of pity and because of the wrong interpretation the move was given that it was the powers that be in Abuja that wanted to remove him, Dariye had to wade in and saved him from disgrace. Without Dariye, Lalong could not have survived one day on that seat and anybody can go and verify that.”
“Is it not a shame that while some former governors are playing statemanly roles and grooming others to leadership positions that all Lalong thinks about is himself?””
According to Nakande, Former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Elrufai for instance has said he will not accept a ministerial position but should be allowed to nominate younger persons so that they can be groomed for leadership positions,but wondered why Lalong wants to be Senator, Senate President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister and Special Adviser all at once .
” And anybody that indicates interest in those positions becomes his enemy, that is why he is annoyed that certain political leaders on the Plateau went to visit the SGF, Senator George Akume.”
“”Even if it is true like Dati said that it was Lalong that brought ‘unknown entities’ to national prominence, should he not, if he were a good leader, be proud to see that they’re doing well that they’re aspiring for other leadership positions?”
‘” His annoyance with them for being close to the grassroots goes to prove he is a selfish leader and confirms what people are saying that he only used one of them as a place holder; and even after she surrendered the Senate ticket to him, he couldn’t make anything out of it but went ahead to lose woefully at the general elections.”
“”In the opinion of many, Senator Nora Dadut who held the Senate position briefly would have even done better than Lalong in the elections as she had used her brief stay in the Senate to win the hearts of the people which has made her very popular and well liked by all.”
” It was because of the impact she made while in the Senate that she’s being considered for a ministerial position and that is why Lalong has begun to see her as an enemy.”
” Part of the reasons Lalong lost the Senate seat was because the people wanted Dadut to come back because they said what she did for the South Senatorial zone in the less than two years in the senate was more than what Laong did for them in the eight years he was governor.”
He urged President Tinubu to ignore the rants of Lalong and Dati who have no base or structure in their constituencies but are only barking from safe distances as they personify the perfect examples of what is known as Abuja politicians.
“They leave their constituents in penury and when it is time to get something from Abuja they run like hawks making all sorts of claims.” Nakande added
” In contrast, these leaders like Dariye, Pauline Tallen, Amos Gizo, Lumumba Adeh, Alphonsus Komsol, Nora Dadut and my humble self that Lalong is castigating are those that worked for the success of Tinubu during the APC primaries while Lalong was busy enforcing Rotimi Amaechi on Plateau delegates.'”
He alleged that Dariye is well aware that after the federal government decided to grant him pardon, that it was Lalong that was all out trying to frustrate the move because he was afraid that if Dariye was released from prison ahead of the APC governorship primary, that the right things would have been done to choose a candidate for the party and not the shambolic one that produced a candidate solely chosen by the former governor on grounds that the candidate is childhood friend to his wife.
‘”The former governor only wants to be appointed minister so that he can use the resources to sponsor Amaechi’s presidential campaign in 2027. Tinubu should beware of that!
”;If it is experience and competence that Tinubu is looking for, then Lalong should be that last person Tinubu should consider for anything coming to Plateau as the former governor lacks capacity and competence.”
” If it is mass appeal and ability to win votes, Lalong cannot compare himself to Dariye or Tallen or even Dadut who had displaced him as the voice of the Plateau South APC.”
”The fact is that Tinubu has given Lalong the opportunity to prove himself but the former governor has flunked it several times and failed to impress.’
“‘ He organized the worst presidential campaign rally where huge amounts were voted but failed to rally round enough crowd until Hon. Aliyu Betara saved the day by bringing more people from Borno than the ones Lalong could mobilise in a state he had governed for eight years.”
“‘He also made the most embarrassing comments about ‘it’s our time to chop’ making the Tinubu presidency look like an opportunity to feast when the President has made it clear that he was coming to work for Nigeria and not to eat as Allah has already blessed him with what to eat.'”
“:Since all Lalong knows how to do is to eat, President Tinubu in the spirit of the moment can organize an eat-a-thon marathon for him to prove himself as the world record holder for eating. Get”
The former Minister of state for Information noted that it would be more appropriate than giving him any serious position of leadership.
A Body of Church Leaders from the North under the umbrella of Northern Pentecostal Bishops has commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold steps taken to appoint new service Chiefs that cut across the geo political zones of the country.
One of the leading Pentecostal Bishops from the North, Bishop Jonas Katung the founder and President of of The Living Stone Church Assembly with Headquarters in Jos in an interview with newsmen in Jos on Tuesday, said President Tinubu in less than one month in office has performed creditably well and lived up to the expectations of Northern Pentecostal Bishops and Pastors
According to firebrand Northern Bishop, President Tinubu has already taken the bull by the horn with people centred policies and actions that have touched the heart of millions of Nigerians.
Bishop Katung equally commended the appointment of the secretary to the federal government in the person of Senator George Akume a seasoned administrator from Benue state North central Nigeria and like wise Nuhu Ribadu as National security Adviser (NSA) from Adamawa state North East Nigeria and other appointments made sofar that receives commendation from across the divides in the country.
“When we met President Tinubu in Abuja as a body of Northern Bishops and Pastors in Abuja shortly before the 2023 Presidential election,he gave us his word on purposeful leadership if he wins the presidential election, and now he is providing that much needed quality leadership to Nigerians” He stated.
Bishop Jonas Katung
Katung hinted that going by the performance of President Tinubu in less than one month in office, Nigerians should be expecting more heart touching political and economic policies that would turn around the fortunes of Nigerians from President Tinubu in the next four years of his first tenure .
He added that Tinubu might not need to go out to vigorously campaign for his second term in office in 2027, saying the achievements of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would speak for him .
Bishop Katung assured Nigerians that if given the needed support,Bola Ahmed Tinubu will provide the right leadership for the people of Nigeria considering his wealth of experience in politics and economic matters that will take Nigeria out of the woods.
”We have confidence and hope in Tinubu that he will provide quality leadership to Nigerians because he gives listening ears to the plight of the people of Nigeria “
According to him, Tinubu is a man with large heart that is ready to give Nigerians a sense of belonging “
Bishop Katung Charged President Tinubu to select people of sound characters into his cabinet that he is preparing to put together in his administration.
* Charge Tinubu to Choose People Of Integrity Into His Cabinet.
Attai Audu Jos
Prominent Northern Elder and Former Minister of State for Information and Communication Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande has given Kudos to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the appointment of New Security Chiefs and top Principal aides of his administration on merit and geographical spread across the country .
Nakande gave this commendation in an interview with Oracle Reporters in Jos at the weekend.
According to the Elderstatesman, President Tinubu choice of appointments so far is likened to a leader full of wisdom that put right peg in the right hole.
Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande
He added that for any administration that is worth it’s salt to run a government that meets the expectations of it’s people, the choice of men and women of proven integrity into positions of responsibility is key and germane to the success of the administration.
The former Information Minister of state added that the new Security Chiefs,NSA and Inspector general of Police owe the government and the people of Nigeria the responsibility of providing water tight security to lives and property of the people under Tinubu administration.
According to the Chieftain of All Progressive Congress on the Plateau, President Tinubu should use also his wealth of experience in governance to bring up a cabinet of men and women of proven integrity into his goverment, advising Mr President to take his time to select people from the 36 states of the federation and FCT that he knows can work with him for the good of the country.
Nakande added that the actions President Tinubu has displayed so far in less than one month in office is a clear demonstration that Tinubu is ready to provide purposeful leadership for the people of this country and partner with developed democracies of the world for over all interest and development of Nigeria.
He called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu administration in it’s bid to turn around the economic fortunes of Nigeria for the good of all.
Elderstateman and Chieftain of All Progressive Congress in Plateau state Chief Amos Gizo has given Kudos to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for reflecting Federal Character in his consideration for the appointment of new service Chiefs under his administration.
Chief Gizo who is one of the founding fathers of All Progressive Congress on the Plateau and a dependable political ally of President Tinubu in an interview with Oracle Reporters in Jos, said it is only a democrat like Tinubu that could display sense of nationalism and patriotism to take interest of all sections of the country at heart in sharing sensitive positions in government to give all a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project.
According to him,no body could have done what President Tinubu has done by apointing a Christian minority from Kaduna state as Chief of Defense staff.
He described Tinubu as a consumate politician who wants to work for a better Nigeria, stressing that the President listens to the cries of the people and act accordingly to meet the yearnings of the people of Nigeria .
” President Tinubu having travelled round democratic countries of the world, he would copy and implement tested case studies that Will contribute positively to the wellbeing of the people of Nigeria'”
Chief Gizo also commended President Tinubu for apointing Nuhu Ribadu ( AIG Rtd ) as National security Adviser, stressing that with Ribadu now in charge as NSA, monies voted for security Votes at the national level of government would be utilised to cater for the security needs of this country .
According to him, Ribadu is sound, articulate and well travelled who knows the security architecture of this country and would perform above board in addressing the security challenges of this country within the shortest possible time under Tinubu administration.
He added that Tinubu as a well tested politician takes his time to select those he wants to work with because he has a vision for a better Nigeria where interest of all will receive favorable attention it deserves.
Members of set 1990 Law Class of the Ahmadu Bello University have honoured one of their own, the immediate past Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong for successful completion of his tenure as two terms Governor of Plateau state..
The event which was held at the International Conference Centre Abuja at the weekend, was attended by members of the set and other invited guests. They include Senator representing Plateau Central Diket Plang, Member Representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency Hon. Ishaya Lalu, APC Gubernatorial Candidate Plateau State Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Deputy Secretary of the APC Barr. Festus Fuanter among others.
Chairman of ABU Law Class Set 90 Sylvanus Tahir, SAN in his address at the event said the class was proud of Governor Lalong for being a role model and serving the people of Plateau State and Nigeria meritoriously.
Tahir said the former Plateau Governor did his best to serve the people and demonstrated capacity for bringing people together and pursuing peace and security which his administration has been scored high.
He described Governor Lalong as a worthy classmate who never allowed the glory of public office to stop him from interacting with his colleagues or fail to assist them whenever the need arose.
While wishing him well in his future political career, Sylvanus Tahir also acknowledged that Lalong as their classmate has made the set proud for his role in the Nigerian political arena especially during the 2023 General elections where he was DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Also speaking, former DG NAPTIP Dame Julie Okah-Donli said the ABU Law Class Set 90 remains proud to associate with Governor Lalong who has reached out to many of his classmates as well as other people throughout his political journey.
Similarly, Former Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu said Governor Lalong was worthy of the celebration having achieved so much in managing Plateau State under difficult circumstances.
Prof. Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria who was a school mate of Governor Lalong in secondary school appreciated him for remaining humble, loyal and caring to his colleagues and other people where he has served.
Several speakers at the event described the occasion as worthwhile and another affirmation of the achievements of the former Governor who also managed the Northern Governors Forum successfully.
In his response, the Immediate past Plateau Governor Barr Lalong appreciated his classmates for recognising him and sparing time and resources to celebrate him.
He reflected on his relationship with them and thanked them for their support and encouragement throughout his political journey.
Lalong also appreciated the lecturers who taught them at ABU for making huge sacrifices to give them a solid foundation that has enabled them to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
He assured them that he will continue to put in his best to serve the nation with integrity and passion as well as make his alma mater proud at all times.
The former Governor also asked for continuous prayers for Plateau State especially on challenges that appear to be resurging.
A Chieftain of All Progressive Congress in Plateau State and former Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service David Victor Dimka has called on Nigerians to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration more time to fix Nigeria on the part of growth and development.
Dimka a former Governorship Aspirant in Plateau State in an interview with Oracle Reporters, said for Nigeria to get out of the mess in the economy that the present administration inherited, goverment institutions should be strengthened from its present weak status.
According to Dimka, President Tinubu he knows is just one man that if saddled with any responsibility, he doesn’t fail going by his past records of achievements in Lagos and on the Nigeria political scene.
He added that ‘” Tinubu has a vision for Nigeria and should be given enough time to execute his programs and vision for Nigeria to get us out of the woods'” Dimka stressed.
He advised that since Dangote Refinery in Lagos has the capacity to produce what Nigerians needs for local consumption when it goes into full operation this year, goverment could decide to sell off the moribund refineries or go into Public Private Partnership (PPP) to put under check the corruption in the oil sector.
Dimka a security expert also suggested that the only way goverment could address the current security challenges in the country is for Government to consider the use of technology to fight all forms of acts of criminality in parts of the country .
According to Dimka, ‘” goverment should use real time intelligence to take out crisis merchants from troubled Communities in the country for peace to return to the affected areas” Dimka stressed.
Oracle Reporters 