By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong has said that he has not and will never betray Plateau state or its people for any reason.
He said he loves the state and is passionate about its people’s survival and progress.
A statement signed by Hon Sylvanus Namang, APC State Publicity Secretary and made available to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday said that Governor Lalong stated this during the Thanksgiving service to mark the 60th birthday of the All Progressives Congress State Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature at Cocin Church Kufen in Barin Ladi on Sunday.
Going down memory lane, Governor Lalong pointed out how he and the celebrant, Hon. Rufus Bature were persecuted for standing strong in defence of the interest of the state when they rejected the imposition of the state of emergency on the state and the illegal impeachment of the state Governor.
Apparently referring to a statement attributed to a former governor of the state where he has been accused of betrayal, Governor Lalong said given what he along with 16 other law makers went through, including 40 days illegal detention by the EFCC in Lagos, it is uncharitable to accuse him of betrayal.
Governor Lalong revealed that a book is being written which he will tell the secrets behind the state of emergency and the illegal impeachment which he refused to carry out as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
He therefore, advised the Church not to allow anyone to deceive them that he betrayed him.
“We are not talking of an individual but the state,” Governor Lalong emphasised.
On Rufus Bature, he said while they served in the Plateau State House Assembly with him as and Rufus as the Minority Leader, he saw in him the spirit of Plateau state.
He said he was always not talking about his tribe or party but how to uplift Plateau State.
He said they suffered together with the APC Chairman as all of them who were detained collectively vowed to work for the interest of the state even if it meant dying in the process.
He regretted that six of the law makers have lost their lives and God has made him Governor and he is paying for the educational pursuit of their children which he promised to do so until such a time he cannot afford to continue.
He charged Berom people to follow in the footsteps of the APC Chairman as he remained daring in the face of all odds.
“He fought for his people and said he would die with the Governor even if he stood alone with him,” the Governor revealed.
He expressed happiness that Rufus was no longer alone as through his doggedness, many Berom people have been appointed by his government.
He said Rufus delivered the APC in 2015 and 2019 and will deliver again as the state Chairman in 2023.
Governor Lalong reassured those who lost their land due to the crises that rocked the local government of safe return to their lands based on the measures taken by the state government.
Hon. Rufus Bature, in an emotion-laden voice, praised Governor Simon Lalong for making him who he is today.
He said he made him Secretary to the Government of the State, SGS a position no person of Berom extraction had ever occupied in the history of the state.
He appealed to his people to ensure that they do not ever remain a minority in the affairs of the state any longer.
“When I took the risk to be in the APC, I believed that God was about to do something in my life” the APC Chairman revealed.
He said he has no regret for what he did in 2015 as he stood with Governor Lalong and God has made him who he is today.
He was full of gratitude to the governor for his development strides in Beromland and appointment of many of their sons and daughters in government at the local, state and national levels.
Hon. Rufus Bature was full of gratitude to his elder brother, Da Solomon Bature who raised him and his siblings after losing their father 46 years ago.
He thanked God for the family he is blessed with.
The statement further reads that the Guest Preacher, Rev. Professor Gyang Pam, Provost of Gindiri Theological Seminary, who is a childhood friend to the APC Chairman, praised him for living a selfless life.
Taking his text from Luke 12: 13-21 about the Parable of The Rich Fool, he admonished Christians to utilise our time on earth wisely.
The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Father Polycarp Lubo cautioned Plateau people against divisive politics which has stalled the socio – economic growth of the state.
He said the state has lost a lot economically due to our indifference towards things that will bring growth.
On his part, the Chairman of Barkin Ladi, Hon. Jock Alamba congratulated Rufus Bature for demonstrating leadership by example.
He praised Governor Lalong for doing a lot for his people especially in the area of peace building.
He thanked the governor for the appointment of their sons and daughters in his government and the upgrading of the Barkin Ladi General Hospital to a specialist hospital which has been converted to a Federal Orthopaedic Hospital.
The Thanksgiving service was attended by political chieftains among who were the APC Chairmen of Nasarawa and Kaduna States, the Plateau APC Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, APC State exco, Member Representing Pankshin Kanke in the House of Representatives, Yusufu Babayo Gagdi, APC Senatorial Candidate for Central Senatorial District, Hon. Diket Plang, members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Chairmen and dignitaries from all walks of life.
The occasion was capped with raising funds for the completion of the church with greater part of the over N30m raised coming from three children of the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who are Christians.
