Trail Reporters
After widespread condemnations, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has tendered an apology to the people of Benue State over his comments last week, where he said, he had warned Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, against implementing the anti-grazing bill in the state.
Recollect that, in a television broadcast, last week, Lalong had justified the killings from his statement, which led to Plateau indigenes, disowning the Governor, and had threatened that he will not get a second term for embarrassing them. They had advocated that, Benue and Plateau are brothers, and so, the Governor’s statement was enough to severe the relationship both states have enjoyed over the years.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom had said, he called Lalong after he heard it, but he denied saying such, and later didn’t take his calls anymore when he watched the broadcast on television.
One of the indigenes in Plateau said,
Now that Gov. Lalong has apologised to his Benue state counterpart Gov. Ortom, I must commend our governor for that. But for me, its not enough. I will suggest the governor immediately goes to Benue state and condole with the good people of the state( they have always done so to us during our trying times and after all we are brothers and neighbours), the governor and government.
He should apologised to them physically like the IGP did, extend the condolences of the Plateau people.
The governor should not just stop with his apology on print media alone because he did not goof there alone. He should call a press conference where the electronic media will assemble, then he apologise to all Nigerians especially Plateau people, because he disgraced us all there. And lastly, talk and warn his media aides(Emma Nanle and co) and social media handlers(Promise Yatu et al) never to defend and cover mistakes and insensitivity even if done by him.
That way we will know our Governor, Bar. Simon Bako Lalong is humble and sensitive as well as receptive to constructive engagement and criticism.
