By Samuel itsede
Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong has called on the people of the state to join hands together with him to build a better state.
He also described his victory at the polls as victory for the whole of Plateau.
In his acceptance speech on his re-election as the Governor of Plateau State, Lalong who commended the people for voting him again as they did in 2015, said his administration would not disappoint the electorates.
Lalong said “With gratitude to God Almighty, on behalf of myself and the Deputy Governor, I sincerely thank you all. We whole-heartedly accept this mandate to serve for a second and final term with all the humility it deserves. Above all, we accept this mandate by equally soliciting your usual cooperation and partnership as we strive to sustain the execution of our mandate.”
“The outcome of the exercise in the State was clearly an amazing show of confidence and trust. It was also referendum on our most cherished principles of Unity and Peace as well as affirmation of the desire to move to the Next Level. Moving to the next level in the light of equality and inclusiveness, which are core values fundamentally located in the heart of the Plateau spirit that speak to our sense of communality, diverse ethnicity, mutual respect, tolerance, peace, hospitality, humility and diligence. ”
The unquantifiable sacrifices and support of the platform on which we stood and won, namely, the Executive Council and State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Director-General and Members of the Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Volunteers, Canvassers, Agents, Religious Leaders, Election Observers, Family Members, Women, Youth and the Less Privileged are highly commendable and appreciated. We see our task as a call to greater service and accountability to you as a people, who rightly represent the voice of God.
Let me use this opportunity to urge my fellow citizens to regard this victory at the polls as victory for the whole of Plateau, with no victor, no vanquished. We had a dream, which we collectively and tirelessly worked towards achieving it and succeeded. To me, this victory is a mark of honour and clarion call for consolidation of our gains and the sustainable peaceful coexistence for the good of the State. Together, we will do more. I urge all citizens to celebrate in harmony with even the opposition without harassment, intimidation and provocative statements against any person or group.
To my fellow Contestants, who not only participated in the historic Gubernatorial Debate, prior to the elections and also contested with me, I wish to congratulate you for your matured conduct during and after our electioneering campaigns. I also extend my hands of friendship and urge you to share in the patriotic zeal of building a virile Plateau so that we can bequeath a positive and lasting legacy for the younger generations.
I equally extend my congratulations and hands of friendship to the newly elected and returned members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and indeed the National Assembly. I look forward to a mutually beneficial and more robust working relationship with all of you. I pledge that government will continue to cooperate with the Honourable Members-Elect at all times.,he added .
.
