We will Change Narrative of Insecurity on Plateau, Restore Good Governance – ADP Guber Candidate, Temlong

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Action Democratic Party governorship candidate in Plateau state, Brigadier-General Jon Temlong (Rtd) has promised to change the narrative of insecurity in the state and restore good governance if elected.

Temlong said this during a door-to-door campaign to Jos East Local Government Area of the state today, Thursday.

Temlong and his team who were welcomed to Angwuare, headquarters of Jos East LGA by beautiful performances by Izere Women Traditional Troupe said that his priority was to restore security, promote good governance and social justice.

At the Agwom Izere palace, His Royal Highness, Rev Dr Isaac Wakili, JP, Temlong said that Jos East lacks development and that would be one of his priorities by developing infrastructure in the area.

He said, “We thank you for given us the opportunity to see you. The narrative on the Plateau has been that of insecurity. Since 2000, Plateau has been a bloodbath. People have been killed, family displaced from their ancestral homes. Before any assistance could come here, you could have been displaced.”

As first Commander of Mulit-National Joint Task Force, I was able to dislodge bandits and terrorists from Niger and Chad and restored civil authorities there.

“I was one of those who conceptualised Operation Rainbow and drafted the template but it was not implemented as conceptualised. I sat down painfully looking at my people been killed. This must not continue”, he lamented.

“It is a divine call to come out and rescue my people. We have the option of continue with narrative of denial that there is peace on the Plateau. The alternative is the one that should be sitting down to advise the younger ones. They can’t be an elder and at the same time in governance.

“We want to address security and bring sustainable peace to Plateau. Lack of good governance is also responsible for insecurity. We will promote accountability, rule of law and justice. We want to bring capital of Plateau back to Jos, and LGAs to their original headquarters. The road linking this palace is not more than 5km, that is what the LGA Chairman can do but because they don’t stay here. We want to give future to our children, hope for our youths and make our women productive. We want to stop drug addictions.”

“Your Highness has been to Israel, you see how desert was turned to green through irrigation system. This is what we want to do through preservation of tomatoes and be selling thereby adding values to agriculture products and our farmers getting values for their labour.

“We want to address healthcare. My running mate, Dr Daniel Mwanmut is a health consultant who retired as a Director of health services in NNPC. Healthcare is segmented into preventive and curative. We aren’t doing anything about preventive. We will enforce all statutory regulations to meet international standard. We will provide quality education for our children. We will build a security architecture that would include our traditional leaders. It’s about Plateau and not for ego or personal interest.” He concluded.

In his response, the Agwom Izere, His Royal Highness, Rev Dr Isaac Wakili, JP said he knew Temlong when he was working as the Military Board Secretary when he was Captain.

He said, “When I learned that my General was contesting, I said where is he. I have known you as a very hardworking officer. I bear you witness to that.

“We will continue to pray for your success. This is the type of people that we want at the helm of affairs. If the righteous rule the people rejoice and if the wicked rule, the people mourn.

“To supporters, work for the people and not individual. Support the candidate and all of us will rejoice.

The traditional ruler was a former Personal Assistant to the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida before he was brought to serve his people.

The campaign team was welcomed by mammoth crowd at the GNS Pwajok Hall, Angwuare where the Chairman, LG women leader, youth leaders of the party address the crowd. Temlong assured the people of bringing prosperity to the state and making the state safe.

At Fobur, the campaign team visited the District Head, Fobur, His Royal Highness, Adagwom Izam Abok and later addressed people at the Fobur Market Square in Jos East LGA.

The door-to-door campaign also visited the Ujah of Anaguta in Jos North LGA, His Royal Highness, Ujah Jauro Magaji where he told the Ujah that the stool was long overdue to be upgraded to first class traditional ruler. He said, if elected, he would work on it.

The elated Ujah appreciated the people’s general for the visit and gave his royal blessings.