By John Austin Unachukwu
Lawyers have set an agenda for Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong following the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of his re-election for another four years.
They congratulated Lalong, also a lawyer, and urged him to work hard to justify Plateau people’s confidence.
Those who spoke to The Nation include a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Plateau State, Prof. Dakas CJ Dakas (SAN), immediate past First Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Caleb Dajan, former NBA Second Vice-President, Mr. Stephen Abar and former Super Permanent Secretary in Plateau State Civil Service, Mr. Robert Taple
Dakas said: “The recent decision of the Court of Appeal which upheld the re-election of Governor Simon Lalong is a reaffirmation of the mandate that the people of Plateau State gave him at the polls.
“I commend Governor Lalong’s magnanimous reaction to the outcome of the appeal, in which he extended a hand of fellowship to the opposition.
“I urge Governor Lalong to strive to justify the confidence reposed in him by the good people of Plateau State, consolidate on his first term achievements, avoid the pitfalls of the past, ensure timely completion and quality of the legacy projects and concomitantly leave behind a legacy of superlative achievements.
“Focus is key. I, therefore, advise Governor Lalong to be wary of sycophants whose obsession is with the shenanigans of succession to the detriment of the imperative need to add value to governance”.
Dajan, who described himself as Lalong’s “colleague, friend and a fellow golfer,” urged the governor to “complete all projects that affect a bit of the interest of the aggregate people of Plateau.
“My advice to him is to have the legacy he would want to leave behind, long after he leaves office in mind, even now as he begins the second and final lap of his governance journey. How will he want to be remembered?
For Abar, Lalong’s victory at the polls was well deserved and “he will deliver beyond expectations.
“The governor has really achieved so much considering the dilapidated infrastructure he inherited in the state from his predecessor, with high unpaid wage bills, unpaid pensions and gratuities, a state riddled with in crises and strife.
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According to Taple, the Appeal Court decision was no surprise.
He added: “Our expectation is that he should remain focused and complete the wonderful legacy projects he has started which includes amongst many others world class model schools and hospitals which will go a long way to change the landscape of Plateau State.
“I expect also that he will establish at the least two viable industries from his numerous travels abroad to source for investors before the end of his second tenure.”
Meanwhile, the governor has promised to live up to Plateau people’s expectations both during the yuletide and the rest of his tenure.
He pledged to “continue our Rescue Mission by implementing our three-pillar policy vision that is anchored on Peace, Security and Good Governance; Infrastructural Development; and Sustainable Economic Rebirth”.
He spoke during the state’s 2019 Christmas Carol programme held at the Government House Chapel Rayfield Jos.
The Chairman of Northern Governors Forum urged Christians, in the spirit of the season, to live like Christ and remain a shining example by forgiving all who offend them.
Lalong said: “Being the first Christmas Carol organised by the Government House Chapel since our re-election, I would like to use this opportunity to sincerely thank the citizens of Plateau State for again massively voting us back into office. We remain grateful for this confidence and promise to live up to expectations of our people.
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