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I will return soon
I will return soon - Dariye
MOSES EZULIKE,
Jos
SUSPENDED Governor
of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye on Tuesday in Jos expressed optimism that
he would return to office soon.
Speaking with reporters after a brief
handover ceremony to General Chris Alli, Chief Dariye stated that while he
attributes his plight to the will of God, he was hopeful that sooner than later
he would return, stating that the sole administrator had only come to restore
peace and that all citizens of the state should join hands in ensuring that
peace returned to the state. Below are excerpts of the chat we had with
reporters.
How do you feel about that handing over?
It is a brief executive summary of
operation of the office of the executive governor of Plateau State. And as the
administrator, I owe him a duty to explain to him the workings of the system. I
believe that since his efforts here are to bring back peace on a solid ground,
we should be able to give him support. And like I did say too, opposition seems
not to understand between the roles of the sole administrator; he is here on a
peace mission. It is not a coup where a government is thrown out and you want to
change it. It is not possible. And I pledge loyalty to the Federal Government,
to Mr. President and that is all!
How are you spending your time outside
Government House now?
No, I’m on peace. That is all! Peace
building, peace building. Peace!
The Director of protocol referred to you
as "suspended" governor and you reacted furiously, what was in your mind?
Look, gentlemen, life is dynamic, nothing
is ever static except change. We have to be normal. I mean that. Isn’t it? I may
have been suspended but God willing, I won’t remain suspended forever. As I said
earlier, everything that happened is the will of God. We will work with the
Administrator to ensure that total peace is restored and democratic institutions
are back in the State.
Can you just tell us the mood of the
State?
No! No! No! Please, honestly, I believe in
one thing. Jeremiah, 29:11, says God has a plan for every man. And our times are
in God’s hand. We should not query God. I believe that in whatever you find
yourself there are ups and downs in life. And life is dynamic; once you respond
to God, you didn’t create yourself. So we’re just told about one of our
colleagues who died, are we better than him? Did he know he would die? So, why
are you getting angry with God? Do you know where God is taking me to? Joseph
went to prison from Portipha’s house to the presidency; one day who knows.
By implication, you don’t blame anybody?
All that I am appealing is that, gentlemen
on a serious note, I am appealing to people of Plateau State, elders, youths and
everybody, let’s put out hands together, .let’s support this peace movement like
we’re doing now. The peace process, that’s all.
You are not blaming anybody?
Let’s not add political dimension. This is
not the time to blame anybody. Let us now come out. It’s our Plateau. That is
the Plateau of our dream. The re-engineering agenda is to make sure that peace
is back. Anything outside that, Gov. Dariye did not speak.
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