JOS — REINSTATED Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State asked, yesterday, for forgiveness from the people for whatever wrongs he might have committed knowingly or unknowingly.
He tendered the apology while addressing hundreds of supporters at Government House, Jos following the return of democratic rule to the state which saw him, his deputy, Chief Michael Bot-Mang and members of the state House of Assembly reoccupying their positions following the decision of the Federal Government not to extend the state of emergency. Governor Dariye formally took over the rein of government from Secretary to the State Government, Mr John Gobak, who handed him three volumes of documents prepared by the out-gone Administrator, Major-General Chris Alli.
General Alli had on Wednesday handed over to the SSG ahead of his departure from the state yesterday morning.
Receiving the documents, Dariye thanked God for the opportunity to assume the leadership of the state once again, noting that governments come and go but the state would always remain. He commended General Alli and his team for restoring peace to the state and the people for the cooperation extended to the interim administration, urging the people to accord him the same cooperation. He said he cherished Plateau State as a golden baby. "You cannot govern a state and destroy it because it will remain for generations yet unborn,” he said.
The governor later drove to the Yakubu Gowon Airport to the warm embrace of hundreds of his supporters and PDP chieftains who had converged there following earlier reports that he would arrive through the airport. It was a tough time for policemen as the crowd shoved and surged trying to catch a glimpse of the governor or to shake hands with him. The door to the VIP lounge of the airport was damaged on account of pressure from the crowd in a bid togain entry. The governor later drove in a long convoy to the house of Chief Solomon Lar on Beach Roadwhere another crowd was waiting.
Welcoming Dariye to his house, Chief Lar thanked President Olusegun Obasanjo for listening to the pleasof the people to lift the state of emergency imposed on the state and to restore the suspended democraticstructures. He described it as the hallmark of a listening leader.He also commended Dariye for taking his suspension in his stride by being calm throughout the period of his suspension, noting that some other people in his shoes would have tried to create problems.He advised him to see his return to his position as God’s work and should, therefore, forgive all who mighthave offended him during the period. He further urged him to try and carry everybody along in administeringthe state.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters at Government House later in the afternoon, the governoragain alleged that his arrest in London was masterminded from Nigeria adding that he was even forewarned that he would be arrested if he should go to London. He was expected to broadcast to the people last night.
Alli back in Lagos
Meanwhile, the man who administered the state during the emergency rule, Major-General Chris Alli (rtd) flew into Lagos early yesterday and said the people of the state demonstrated Nigerians' capacity for peace. Major-General Alli, who flew in at about 10:32 am aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Donnier 228, however, said his six months stay in office as sole administrator of Plateau was very challenging.
“Its has been very challenging because it is like translating people’s fears into comfort and that is what the people of Plateau state have done for themselves and I am very happy.
“I am proud, very proud to be part of that experiment and it again demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity for conducting peace.
It is an experiment which has demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity for accommodation,” Major General Alli said.
According to him, it is better to dialogue than engage in confrontation, adding that he never saw challenges of bringing peace to the state as daunting.
He said: “I think there are more challenges in leadership than being the head of a unit, community or to represent an interest group. There are more challenges in leadership than just being in charge.”
Alli said his experience in Plateau state in the last six months had reinforced his faith in the Nigerian project.
