Gyang Bere, Jos
Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong has said that the state was divided along denominational, religious and ethnic lines which generated disturbance during the elections.
He urged Plateau people to eschew bitterness, ethnicity and religious differences and channel their energy towards productive ventures that will enthrone development in the state.
Lalong disclosed this on Sunday during a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Jos, to mark his re-election.
“I was disturbed during the campaign when the state was divided on church denominations, religion and ethnicity which portend danger to the development of the state.
“We ‘re able to surmount the challenges and come out victorious at the supplementary election.
“As a government, we will focus on providing security for peace and unity of the state.
“We must pray for the unity of the church; I was born a Catholic, and I am proud to be a Catholic.
“I was not voted by Plateau State because I’m a Catholic, it was because of what I have done in the state.”
The Deputy-Director of APC Campaign Council in Plateau State, Barr Festus Fuanter, described the division of the state along religious, church denominations and ethnic lines as unfortunate.
“It has been a long-drawn expectation right from the period of campaigning to the electioneering and with the rerun election conducted in the state, but we are thankful to God that Governor Simon Bako Lalong has been re-elected and has put to hold any doubt as to who was the winner of the election.
“Our biggest challenge was how the whole state was divided along the lines of denominations, religion, politics and primordial sentiment.”