Re: The Final Jihad On The Plateau” Is Fake And Divisive Propaganda-Plateau Govt

Yakubu Busari

“These are indeed desperate times and desperadoes are at work to not just win elections but destroy the  cord that binds us as a people”.

The Plateau state Government wants citizens to dismiss fake news making the rounds on social Media that President Muhammad Buhari, Governor Simon Lalong and a community have signed a pact for a jihad in the state.

State information and communication commissioner Yakubu Dati said such falsehood smells of call to disunity, hatred and crisis.

Dati explain the conflict in the story shows the shallow mindedness of authors of the fake news.

He said the promoters who failed in their bid to create crisis during the Presidential and National Assembly elections last week are planting stories meant to create distrust and suspicion.

Some of the actions alleged to have been agreed upon in their wicked writeup require constitutional action and cannot be executed by fiat.

The Commissioner in a Press release in Jos said Governor Lalong’s inclusive style of administration involves citizens in decision making.

Dati cited the recent upgrading of chiefdoms and village areas by the Rescue Administration as one of many decisions arrived at by Plateau people themselves.

He said election matters are decided by the people with the Independent National Election Commission as umpire,noting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees citizens the right to contest election wherever they are in the country.

The commissioner warn citizens that fake news is injurious to the well being of society with perpetrators quick to disappear at the break of crisis, leaving behind innocent people to suffer the consequences.

He said at no time did Governor Simon Lalong, President Muhammadu Buhari hold a meeting where such unpatriotic actions were agreed on.

He pointed out Governor Lalong’s association with President Buhari has yielded the state dividends of democracy and that should be encouraged.

Dati expressed confidence that Plateau people will repose their faith in the leadership of Governor Lalong because of his love for them and the state.