From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Former Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong has been sworn in as the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District. The former Minister of Labour and Employment, on Wednesday’s plenary, took his oath of office and allegiance.
Lalong, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the validly elected winner of the 25 February senatorial election on 7 November by the Court of Appeal, which sacked Napoleon Bali, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Simon Lalong resigned from President Tinubu’s cabinet on Tuesday as Labour Minister was administered the Senator’s oath of allegiance by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Chinedu Akubueze during plenary presided by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The former speaker of the state house of assembly was accompanied to the Red Chambers by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, and other loyalists.
In a brief interaction with reporters, Lalong said that the National Assembly has always been his first choice , the newly sworn in Senator assured his constituents they won’t be disappointed.
He said: “Initially this was my first choice. I stated from being a Legislator this is not something new to me, I was speaker of the House of Assembly for seven years.
“When I was in the cabinet and I was declared winner by the court the President called me and asked me to make a choice , he and the party gave me the permission to come here. I am thankful to the constituents and they will not be disappointed and I will do my best to serve them.
The chairman of the APC described Lalong’s swearing in as a welcome development to the party and Nigeria. He said” of course this is a moment of happiness, our tally at the Senate has increased. We are so happy he won his appeal at the court and is now sworn in as Senator. Nigerians should expect very good legislation. We have our blueprint for development and manifesto for Nigeria, so we can develop security.