LAWYERS and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Jos branch have backed the governorship bid of their member, Hon. Simon B. Lalong, who is running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Last Thursday, he formally informed the branch of his gubernatorial ambition, and was applauded after his speech.
Lalong, a former Plateau State House of Assembly Speaker, was the branch’s Assistant Secretary. He believes lawyers are the society’s leading lights, adding that he would implement his 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.
The branch chairman, Mr. Ledak Dazuk Dafer assured Lalong of the branch’s unflinching support.
He said: “We have about five of them 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 the unique training of a lawyer in addressing socio-economic and political problems of the country
“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.”
Immediate past NBA Vice-President Mr. Steve Abar said Plateau State was 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”, he stated.
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.
