Gubernatorial election: NBA Jos throws weight behind member

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Jos have come out en masse to show support a member of the branch Simon Lalong, who is in the gubernatorial race for the leadership of Plateau State

Lalong who was a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly made a formal announcement to branch members last week, whilst soliciting for their support in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at the gathering, the aspirant who is also the Secretary of NBA Jos branch, noted that lawyers were society’s leading lights, should do well to implement their party’s laudable policies in the state.

He vowed to use his wealth of experience in governance to ensure that all segments of the society are transformed under his administration while assuring that the masses’ welfare and youth employment would be foremost in his agenda.

Assuring Lalong of the branch’s unflinching support, the branch chairman, Ledak Dazuk Dafer stated, “We have about five aspirants contesting and we have given all of them opportunity to address us. My expectations from them is that they will excel because they will apply their unique training as lawyers to address the socio-economic and political problems facing the nation today

“You know that the legal profession is a respectable one because it trains people in character and in learning and by the grace of God, I expect all the best from them. They should perform well like we already have templates across the country. They had done well as lawyers, so I am sure that they will definitely perform if elected in their respective offices of aspiration.”

He added: “Lawyers are agents of change, we have gone around educating voters to make good use of the forthcoming elections by participating massively and voting for candidates of their choice.”

Also speaking, the Immediate past Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Steve Abar stated that Plateau State was indeed privileged to have Lalong as a governorship candidate.

“I say this because he is a quintessential leader, a gentleman per excellence, an epitome of humility, a selfless leader who cherishes the virtues of honesty, modesty, truth and genuine service. He is an apostle of the rule of law, justice and equity, a rare breed politician not given to graft and self aggrandizement or the primitive acquisition of wealth which is the hallmark and characteristic of most politicians of today.

“Lalong is a person passionately committed to the growth and development of Plateau State, a passion he has demonstrated in the various opportunities in leadership he has had in the  State. He has been tested and proven as a practicing lawyer and a committed member of the NBA. In the past, he creditably served the NBA Jos Branch as an Assistant Secretary before hearkening to the call of his constituents and was elected to represent them in the Plateau State House of Assembly.

“In the House, he rose to the enviable position of Speaker, a position he occupied for about seven years and his era witnessed unprecedented stability and high level of legislative enactments, notwithstanding the destabilizing efforts of the Federal Government and its Agencies.

“He excellently passed the true test of character by resisting the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC)’s offer to aid the illegal impeachment of Chief Joshua Dariye and benefit therefrom by being rewarded with the Governorship of Plateau State at the time.

“The courts eventually vindicated his stance when it nullified Dariye’s illegal impeachment. The subsequent Federal Government/EFCC sponsored attempt to recall him from the House of Assembly was also stoutly resisted by his constituents who overwhelmingly voted for him in the referendum organised for that purpose.

“If elected as Governor, Rt. Hon. Lalong will bring his wealth of experience to the stable of governance – An experience garnered overtime in the judicial and legislative arms of Government, both as a practicing lawyer and as member/Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

“Another critical benefit of his election is that it will be a re – unifying factor and rallying point for a just, equitable, peaceful and progressive Plateau State. It will also restore the harmony requisite to galvanize unprecedented and even development of the Plateau State. It is an indisputable fact that the candidacy of his major opponent has left the citizens of Plateau State in a fractious and disunited condition.

“To my mind, a Lalong and Prof. Trodden governorship will restore Plateau State to an era of unprecedented peace without which there cannot be the critically needed development. This is why lawyers in Plateau State particularly I, are rallying around and rooting for him,” Abar said.

In his reaction, a former chairman of NBA Jos branch, Mr. Caleb Dajan said Lalong would be following in the footsteps of the state’s former governor Chief Solomom Lar.

“We are very confident that a lawyer will do better as the Plateau State Governor, because we have seen lawyers in Lagos, Enugu and a few other states, perform very well.  We do not expect anything less from Rt. Hon Lalong in Plateau State,” he said.