Comrade Timlok Fyenda has lambasted the ex-Governor of Plateau State,Barr. Simon Bako Lalong for holding his people to ransom in the State over one year of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration without a minister from the State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Plateau Southern Senatorial District Candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Fyenda has accused Sen.Simon Bako Lalong of neglecting constituents as the drought ravages crops in the southern zone.
Timlok Fyenda stated this during an interview with this medium in Jos and expressed sadness over the plight of vulnerable farmers in the state’s Southern Senatorial District.
It’s been over a month since Mr Lalong senator heard about devastating news of drought in Wase, Shendam, Mikang, Langtang North and South where farmers are crying for intervention but he chose to remain silent as if he was not a senator representing them.
He (Lalong) has abandoned the farmers to their faith, we saw clearly that the former Governor Simon Lalong is representing himself and his immediate family not the people of Plateau South.
In November, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, declared Simon Lalong as the elected senator representing Plateau South, ending months of legal battle over the senatorial election but the situation became worse when drought inflicted pains on the poor vulnerable communities as he was absent to visit the affected villages.
“You would recall that the three-member panel of the appellate court sacked Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the ground that he was not properly nominated as the candidate of the party for the 25 February election.
“The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Mr Lalong, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
“INEC issued a certificate to Mr. Lalong in line with the court order,”.
Mr Lalong, who was then a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), serving as the minister of labour and employment resigned from his position to a Senatorial seat and he is the immediate past governor of Plateau State. He was inaugurated as minister on 21 August by President Bola Tinubu, days after Senate clearance.
He once served as speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly. He was also the director general of the APC Presidential Campaign for the February presidential election, which brought Mr Tinubu to power.
Fyenda, lambasted the Ex-Governor of holding constituents to ransom without a minister from Plateau State and true representative to champion the plight of the suffering masses.
He pointed out that Lalong who was sworn in at red chamber of the National Assembly holding to ransom his state didn’t enjoy the dividends of democracy amongst the North-central states .
Plateau South comprises six local government areas, namely Langtang North, Langtang South, Mikang, Qua’Pan, Wase and Shendam where Mr Lalong hails from.
It had been represented previously by Silas Janfa, Cosmos Niagwan, John Shagaya (all deceased), Victor Lar, Jeremiah Useni, a retired general, and Nora Daduut, a professor.
Constitution silent, lawyers speak
The Nigerian constitution does not explicitly state how long it can take for a senator to get sworn in after a court judgement. What is clear is that Mr Bali, the senator that Mr Lalong replaced, left the Senate immediately after the court’s judgement.