Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has stated that his appointment as the Director-General, All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council is not about religion or an attempt to ridicule Christians and the North-Central geo-political zone.
Lalong’s statement is coming on the heels of different calls on him to reject the appointment. One of those who made the call is a group within the APC, christened: “North -Central APC Forum”, which described it as an insult to the region.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum in Jos, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said since last year they have been canvassing for the emergence of the next president from the zone, because it was time for the zone to produce the next president of the country come 2023. He explained that their initial stance was not to compromise the 2023 presidency for any other position because apart from the military era, the region since this democratic dispensation hasn’t actually produced either the president or the vice president, but has largely contributed to the democratic growth in the nation.
However, Governor Lalong, in a statement issued and signed by his Director Press Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, after a stakeholders’ meeting, stated that his appointment as the campaign DG was not a minus but a plus to Plateau State, especially within the ruling party. He pointed out that those kicking against his appointment on account of religion never threw their weights behind the aspiration of the Christians during the primary, or champion the choice of a North-Central region to be vice-president.
Governor Lalong assured the people that he will do his best in the assignment given to him as a loyal part member but will always protect and safeguard the interest of the people of Plateau State wherever he finds himself.
