The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, has denied betraying a former governor of the state, Joshua Dariye, and reaffirmed his commitment to the development of the state.
He also said he would not betray the state and its people for any reason, adding that he was passionate about the survival and progress of the state.
He stated this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 60th birthday of the Chairman of the APC in the state, Rufus Bature, at COCIN Church, Kufen, Barikin Ladi, on Tuesday.
Apparently responding to a statement attributed to Dariye, who accused him (Lalong) of betrayal, the governor said given what he, along with 16 other lawmakers went through, including 40 days of detention by the EFCC in Lagos in 2004 when they resisted a move to impeach Dariye, it would be wrong for anyone to label him a betrayer.
He recalled how he and the celebrant, Hon. Rufus Bature, were allegedly persecuted for standing “in the defence of the interest of the state” when they rejected the imposition of the state of emergency on the state and the impeachment of Dariye in 2004, following the Yelwan Shendam crisis, where hundreds were killed.
Lalong, therefore, advised the church not to allow anyone to deceive it that he betrayed the former governor.
The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Father Polycarp Lubo, cautioned Plateau people against divisive politics.
