Gyang Bere, Jos
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State and senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) has alleged that Governor Simon Lalong used the N20 billion support fund for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) to prosecute his re-election into office.
He said Lalong deliberately refused to use the fund to rebuild communities that were destroyed during attacks in the state but diverted the money for personal use.
Useni disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in his residence in Jos; he said he was ready for the Saturday supplementary election.
“We are aware that the governor squandered N20 billion that was meant for the rehabilitation of IDPs to their ancestral homes to prosecute his re-election into office. Lalong would have to account for such money at the appropriate time.
“I promised the people of Plateau that I would stand by them and protect their votes; I also cautioned that I would not accept rigging; today, I still stand by my words.
“After due consultation, we have decided to take specific legal steps to address areas of concern in the last elections. These include a petition to INEC, and we hope they will look into it as quickly as possible; for my candidature is aimed at restoring our lost glory as a people and state.”
Useni cautioned against the deployment of security personnel to harass and intimidate people at the polling units and collation centres and urged them to remain neutral.
He said there was no reason for the governorship election in Plateau to be declared inconclusive by INEC if votes were not allocated to the ruling APC candidate.
Useni reiterated his position that he would spend only one tenure of four years and hand over the leadership to Plateau Central if favoured by the rerun.
Meanwhile, the deputy director of Media, Publicity and Protocol Committee of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Festus Fuanter has debunked the allegations, describing it as baseless and untrue.
He said Lalong was endorsed by the people of Plateau State through their votes during the election due to his developmental strides and commitment towards Plateau project.
“We believed that the PDP is suffering from defeat; they know that they can’t go far during the rerun that was why they are cooking up such allegations to damage the reputation of the governor. We don’t know anything about N20 billion and if he has any proof to what he is saying, he knows where to go but his allegations are baseless and untrue.”