Lalong apologies for stepping on toes as governor

The former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has apologised to all who he stepped on their toes when he was the governor of the State.

The former governor said it was impossible not to step on toes as governor owing to the fact that it is impossible to please everyone.

Lalong stated this on Thursday in Jos when he chaired the All Progressive Congress (APC), extraordinary reconciliatory meeting.

He said the blame game among party members since the loss of the March governorship election should be put to rest for party members to move forward and concentrate on reclaiming its lost mandate at the tribunal.

“I admonished all party faithfuls to sheathe their swords and forgive one another, as we have no other house other than the APC.

“Some members of the party engaged themselves in anti-party activities which they stand to benefit nothing but humiliation from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“It is better for you to be lord in your house than tenants in another man’s house which at any time could spell doom for you.

“It is totally impossible for him as a governor to please everybody, and that it was sacrosanct for leaders to step on toes which was peculiar to my administration. I apologize to all I have stepped on their toes.

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“I assure you that our governorship candidate, Dr. Nentawe Goshwe, is sure of getting justice at the tribunal and securing the Governorship of the State.

“I commend members of the National Assembly for acting maturely and subsuming into the mainstream after the leadership tussle of both chambers.

“I applaud elders of the party for deeming it fit to summon party elders, stakeholders and stalwarts to address challenges bedeviling our party in the State”, Lalong said.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the APC in the State, Hon. Rufus Bature said the meeting was convened to reconcile all aggrieved members.

According to him: “We have convened this meeting to rub minds and reflect on the outcome of the last general elections and share thoughts on the journey thus far and the way forward.

“Let me at this juncture, express the party’s gratitude to members of our great party who, despite all the onslaught against the party, stood firm in its defense which led to our victory in the last election.

“Our party was rigged out especially the gubernatorial election through devious electoral manipulations and wicked propaganda.

“That we lost the gubernatorial election at the polls is a very temporary setback. We want to assure you all that by God’s grace, given the wide range of electoral malpractices perpetrated against the party, we remain confident that we shall reclaim our mandate at the election petition tribunal.

“This affects not only the gubernatorial election but also the House of Assembly and National Assembly seats.

“This is a trying moment which should strengthen our resolve rather than break our spirit. In this dispensation of Renewed Hope, we must keep hope alive”, he said.