I Led Northern APC Governors On Power Shift To South Because Of Peace, Unity, Stability Of Nigeria - Lalong

 

          Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong

 

To promote national unity, peace, and stability in Nigeria, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, said that he had to lead northern Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to support a power shift to the Southern part of the country.

 

He also said that the move was made in the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice which according to him, the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello advocated.

 

Lalong, who is the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum stated this on Saturday at the 9th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on Leadership and Good Governance held in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.

 

The Plateau State Governor added that the late Premier lived a life of accommodation, tolerance, justice, and fairness, adding that his legacies have endured long after his demise and continue to inspire leadership in the region and country at large.

 

"When I led my colleagues the Northern Governors to push for power shift to the south, was not because we wanted Asiwaju to be President. Rather, we wanted to ensure that justice and fairness prevail in our nation for unity, peace, and harmony. That is what we believe our revered father of blessed memory Sir Ahmadu Bello would do in such circumstances. Fortunately, the party delegates chose Asiwaju who was eventually accepted by Nigerians as he was unanimously elected".

 

The Plateau Governor urged all Nigerians, both in the North and across the country, to support President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he takes on the mantle of leadership.

 

Lalong said Asiwaju Tinubu knows that the North is an important stakeholder in the Nigerian project and its contributions towards his election cannot be over-emphasized.

 

"The Northern region needs serious attention in various sectors ranging from security, education, infrastructure, agriculture, economic revival, and restoration of law and order in various areas that have been ravaged by insecurity," Lalong stressed.

 

He added that it is heartening to note that the Northern Governors Forum, under his leadership, has done a great deal of work on bringing their people together as one people with one common destiny.

 

Host Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state in his welcome address said it was a privilege for his state to host a very important event that reminds the region and the nation about the values that Sardauna lived and died for.

 

He said although there have been challenges in the country after the demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello, some progress has been made which can be built upon to make the Northern Region and Nigeria a better place.

 

Speaking on the topic "2023 Elections as Panacea for Search for Quality Leadership in Nigeria," Kenyan Law Professor and pan Africanist Patrick Lumumba said the late Sardauna left behind several lessons for politicians which include his selflessness and sacrifice for the general good.

 

He said the question of unity and cohesion in Nigeria particularly after the 2023 general elections cannot be over emphasized because Nigeria plays a very key role in the stability of Africa being a giant in all ramifications.

 

Lumumba stressed that the sacrifices of founding fathers like Sardauna who paid the supreme price should not be left to go in vain but built upon for a greater Nigeria and Africa.

 

President Muhammadu Buhari in a message delivered by his Chief of Staff Prof. Ibrahim Gambari,  said it is important that Nigerians devote more attention to recruiting quality leaders who are capable of steering the nation in the right direction.

 

Buhari also said the process of elections should also be looked at and continuously improved upon to ensure that those who serve the people have their mandate and also enjoy their support.

 

Emir of Lafia HRH Sidi Bage said the lecture series is an opportunity to reflect on the dreams of Sardauna but also a way of putting critical national and regional issues on the front burner.

 

He thanked Governor Lalong who as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum worked hard to ensure that the Traditional Institution is given a place in the governance of Nigeria much as it was during the time of the Sardauna.

 

The next of such Lecture would take place in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.