Dariye refutes Useni's claims on Plateau crises
From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos
THE suspended Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, has reacted to the statement credited to Lt-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) that the crises which engulfed the state leading to the declaration of a state of emergency would have been averted if he had co-operated with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
He described the allegation as unfounded and appealed to citizens of the state to desist from trading accusations and blames for the unfortunate situation.
A statement by Dariye's Personal Assistant, Mr. Diket Plang, yesterday said the suspended governor had consistently maintained that as a Northerner, he believes that the progress and peaceful co-existence of the North and Nigeria in general is a top priority.
It read: "Unfortunately, the initial posture of the ACF to the PDP in the North, coupled with the way and manner its officials were selected from Plateau State gave many people grounds to suspect their motives.
"Nonetheless, the ACF officials were well received by the governor during their courtesy call and the government made it clear that all hands were needed to be on deck to help resolve the crises in Plateau State," the statement added.
It said that Dariye's decision, since the declaration of the state of emergency, to avoid making public statements was also predicated on his loyalty to the Federal Government and commitment to all the efforts being made to bring about peace and reconciliation in the state.
"Nonetheless, Chief Dariye believes that when half truths and unfair political innuendoes are being peddled without restraint, people will tend to believe them. It is against this background that Chief Dariye has been constrain to respond to the allegation by Useni that peace efforts by ACF to Plateau State were frustrated," it added.
The statement acknowledged that Useni is one of the most respected elders, not only in the state, but beyond, adding that in recognition of his status, he has always been a member of various peace/reconciliation committees set up by the government on the communal crises that bedevilled the southern senatorial zone of the state since 2002.
It said Useni, alongside other illustrious sons of Tarok, like Gen. John Shagaya (rtd) were selected by the President in October 2002 to serve on the Peace Committee for the Langtang, Wase, Kanam and Shendam crises.
The statement, however, argued that the series of reprisal attacks coupled with other factors like cattle theft frustrated their efforts.
"It is, therefore, unfair for Gen. Useni to claim that ACF was frustrated. As a stakeholder and concerned Tarok elder, Useni had every reason to initiate and pursue peace and reconciliation with the Fulanis (Wase) or Boghoms (Kanam) and not to wait only for the ACF platform.
General Useni, the statement continued, was a member of both the Emir of Zazzau and Residential Peace Committee.
According to the statement, it is inconceivable that Dariye would prevent Useni from holding an ACF meeting designed for peace among his Tarok peole, considering his standing in Tarok land.
