Photo: Gov Lalong addressing the party stakeholders at the meeting in Jos
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has urged stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to unite ahead of the upcoming ward congresses of the party with a view to strengthening the party by holding the elections peacefully and smoothly.
The Governor who gave the charge while addressing the stakeholders in Jos ahead of the election, said the ward congresses were meant to give the party a stronger foundation for the consolidation of its successes in the state and across the country.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s spokesman, Dr Makut Simon Macham, said Lalong called on the stakeholders to be transparent and conduct themselves in a manner that would build harmony, peace and equity among party members to ensure that the party maintains its position as the largest party in the country.
“The governor advised the members to abide by the guidelines for the conduct of the primaries and also ensure that all avenues for consensus are exhausted for the emergence of ward officials.
“Where such is not reached, elections should be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and without any rancour.
“Lalong urged those saddled with the task of conducting the elections to ensure that only registered members are allowed to participate in the process,” the statement added.
The statement further said that the state acting caretaker chairman of the APC explained that the stakeholders meeting was convened to prepare the party stakeholders for the “task ahead” which he described as very crucial.
According to him, the party was working to ensure that all arrangements were done on time to provide for a smooth exercise, adding that they had learnt lessons from the recently conducted local government election primaries, with a reconciliation committee currently attending to complaints of aggrieved persons stemming from the outcome of the election.
“The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, appealed to the stakeholders and party officials to be fair to all the members of the party who are aspiring for offices during the ward congresses.
“Also contributing, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Saleh Shehu Yipmong, expressed optimism that the party would come out of the process stronger because of the leadership of the Governor who has been fair to all and always willing to lead by example,” the statement added.
