Call Manjang To Order And Apologise To Jang Whom He Tried To Decimate, Golu Tells Lalong

The overzealousness of the  Commissioner for information in Plateau State, Dan Manjang is worsening the State Assembly crisis which could have been resolved if the state government has honourably and humbly accepted responsibility.

These are the words of former Member of the National Assembly, Dr Golu Timothy while reacting to the statement credited to the Commissioner against the former Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang.

Golu advised Governor Lalong not to see the reckless and immature statements of Manjang as loyalty and to impress him, but extreme disrespect to an elder stateman and father who has done excellently well for the state.

He called on Manjang to immediately tender an apology to the former Governor whom he worked under for years and was brought to limelight under his administration.

According to Golu, ” This is acute overzealousness on the part of Manjang in carrying out his responsibility. He does not need to abuse anyone, not even a highly respected elder statesman like Baba Jang before conveying his point or message to the world.

He has compounded the issues for the state government  by his statement.

If Gov Lalong thinks Manjang is doing well by such outbursts, then he is not fair to himself and the government. In fact by such responses, the state government has shown clearly that it has nothing to say other than to divert attention in attempts to defend itself.

Manjang worked under Baba Jang for years and knew very well that the former governor has never gotten involved in the impeachment of any Speaker.

As a member of the 7th State Assembly myself, I can testify. We sat as members and told our former Speaker to resign and he honourably did so. Every member signed and also agreed on the new Speaker.

Even the removal of the 6th Assembly Speaker was done without the knowledge of the former Governor but has no choice other than to accept what was done”

Golu said the scenarios can not be compared to what is happening under the present governor Lalong who openly instigated 8 members to try to impeach the speaker, just because he has issues with him. He openly received 8 members out of a 24 member legislature with a purported new  Speaker. That’s funny.

” As a former Speaker himself who was also the Chapman of conference of speakers at the time, and now Chairman of former Speakers forum, Lalong must not be lectured on the basic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances and especially now that he boast of being the first governor to implement the autonomy of the state legislature on the Plateau. Of what essence is the autonomy if he has no respect for the legislature. The Governor must respect the house as constituted and work with all members for the progress of the state and NOT for his personal political convenience. Yes he must have influenced the emergence  of Ayuba Abok as Speaker, but he must respect the independence of the legislature. He has just one year plus to go and he should not leave a negative precedent for the state”, Golu added.

He asked Lalong to call Manjang to order and apologise to the former Governor Jang whom he tried to decimate. The former governor also had Commissioners that worked under him and other aides like Manjang himself.

” I urge Governor Lalong to quickly call the entire house together and reconcile them and allow the house go on with its proceedings.

The incident has portrayed Plateau in bad light before the world and it’s only proper that it be resolved for peace and stability”.