The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has stated that he will support a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amachi, for President, but that he will not support any of the contenders from the North.
Lalong made the statement in Jos, where Amaechi was visiting to court delegates ahead of the party’s primary.
Amaechi, according to Lalong, has made significant contributions to the state and would have full support from Plateau leaders, including previous Speakers of the House of Assembly and present state parliamentarians.
“Amaechi has all the qualities of a good leader, and would save the country from its insecurity problems, as well as bring development to all parts of the country,” Lalong said in a statement made available to our correspondent on Saturday, adding that Plateau State has benefited a lot from Amaechi and it’s payback time. Amechi, according to Lalong, has what it takes to combat instability in the country. Ameachi, he added, had ties with security specialists and past security officials with whom he would engage.
Ameachi, he recalled, assisted party chieftains in northern states, particularly Plateau State, in joining and registering with the APC. He further claimed that the former minister represented the state at Federal Executive Council sessions whenever the state required immediate action and consent from the White House.
“Sir, because you invested in Plateau State, you will reap in Plateau State.” We returned, we were having security concerns, and you were our minister. This man (Amaechi) was the driving force behind the majority of the President’s approvals. Despite the fact that he is from Rivers State, Amaechi was our minister. “
“We almost got everything.” Lalong revealed that Ameachi backed him strongly in his re-election campaign. “They suggested railway,” he continued, “but you brought Shipper’s Council to us, you restored our inland container to us, and you accomplished so many other things for us.” As I speak, seven of the initial group of people you sent to China were Plateau youths, and they are quickly becoming engineering professionals. We could go on forever.”
“We had already made up our minds; all former members of the Houses of Assembly had agreed to follow you wherever you went.” So, if you count the number of former Speakers in Nigeria, I believe you already have 30% of the vote,” he said.
Also, the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Yakubu Sande, declared bloc support for Amaechi.
“I have the privilege to move this historic motion and say categorically, that members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Areas, we have super delegates and national delegates, all represented today, and what I’m doing today is an endorsement by the delegates of Plateau State,” Sande said
