By Emmanuel Dung, Jos
The immediate past Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nde David Paradang, has stated that Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau state has failed in his promises to bring the dividends of democracy to the state.
He said Lalong Government has not only failed in providing security, but has failed in providing affordable healthcare, education, and improve other sectors.
Paradang, while assessing the five years administration of governor Lalong, said: “The welfare and security of average Plateau citizens in the last five years of Lalong’s administration have not been any better as promised before his assumption of office.”
The former immigration boss who is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this in a chat with some Journalists in Jos, the Plateau state capital while assessing the five years administration of Governor Lalong to mark this year’s democracy day celebration.
Paradang, said the situation in Plateau state has worsened due to the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled administration of Governor Lalong.

He said that the two-term governor is to blame for many of the state’s economic problems, including the recent increase in the level of insecurity across the state.
“The Constitution says, the primary responsibility of Government is the welfare and security of people and any other promises that Governor Lalong has made, has it been accounted for in terms of giving more of welfare to our people? I will say no!” He said.
Paradang said in the eight years of the administration of former Governor Jonah David Jang quality attention was given in terms of development and governance.
“If you check the position of our people from 2015 to date, I don’t know about you, maybe Journalists are doing better. But I can tell you categorically that, the average Plateau man is not fairing any better from 2015 to date. No matter what the Director of Press or the Mouth-piece of Government says, if he judges himself sincerely, I will say that he has failed in that aspect.” He said
According to Paradang, the security situation in the state is not better than what was obtained in the past, stressing that it as worsened under Lalong’s watch.
“If you look at the security aspect of Plateau state, is it any better than what used to happen in the past?, under his watch, a lot of our communities have been attacked. I will start from Bassa LGA which has been happening repeatedly with no single person brought to book” He lamented.
“Go to Bokkos, go to Barkin-Ladi and Mangu LGAs and it is the same thing. We have not had full scale banditry here, but I don’t think our people are safer today than they were in 2015. So, you have to look at it from that angle.”
He however commended the governor in the area of unity. “The Governor is trying to unite Plateau people which I give him credit for that, but more needs to be done,” he stated.

Paradang, who was the PDP Candidate in the 2019 plateau central Senatorial  election, urged Governor Lalong not to relent but work towards beating the records of JD Gomwalk and Senator Jonah David Jang in terms of leadership, infrastructure and security to give hope to the people of the state. 
Similarly Bar. Redzie Jugo, a lawyer and human right activist in an open letter written to Governor Simon Bako Lalong, accused him of maintaining  deaf ears and showing less concern over the incessant killings across the state.
Jugo, said the governor had the opportunity to speak strongly on the matter during a world press conference and a live programme on Channels TV but wondered why the governor chose to wave the matter aside describing it as “pockets of killings.”
“Sir, I am worried that, even though you had two valuable opportunities to speak on the carnage on Irigwe land during your world press conference, you did not. All that the people remember is your description (on Channels TV) of the killing of their loved ones as, “pockets of killings”. Sir, even if you are challenged and cannot  shield them from internal aggressors, at least lament with them and sing a dirge with them. Let them know that they are not alone.”
Those were the words of Jugo, while expressing frustration over Lalong’s silence on the constant  killings in the state, especially in Irigwe land, Bassa LGA,  by Fulani herdsmen despite all the cries by the people across the country.
According to Jugo, the killings and attacks in Plateau north and other parts of the state is getting worst on a daily basis, he therefore, urge the  government to save the affected communities from complete extermination.
“Sir, you may have heard whispers (if not seen) of how parts of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bassa LGA’s are now ruled by fear rather than by law. Children are caught in crossfires; pregnant women are killed with their unborn babies never knowing the joy of suckling. For these people, their version of peace has a semblance of bloody order and violent decorum.” He noted
“I am using this medium to ask you in the name of all that is just and benevolent to take on the anguish of your people, go to the President of the Federal Republic, speak to Defense Ministry hierarchy, find succor for the victims, compensate them in the way we know you know how to and end  these killings. No one lives forever but you have an opportunity to engrave your name in the hearts of many for eternity.”
  A Former member house of representatives,  (Bassa/Jos North federal constituency) and the Wazirin Miango, Sarkin Yakin Irigwe, Hon. Chief Lumumba Dah Adeh also expressed dismay and disappointment over the silent attitude of Governor Lalong, and other elected representatives at all levels of government on the incessant attacks and killings of the Irigwes, describing it as callous and wicked.
“The silence of our elected representatives at all levels of government is to say the least also most disappointing, callous, pathetic and wicked.
Lumumbah who is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) further said. “One wonders whether it is as a result of a lack of sense of responsibility, incompetence, timidity or better still being a part of the conspiracy that they have failed to live up to expectation in that regard.”
It would be recalled that at the heat of the attacks the President, Irigwe Development Association, Sunday Abdu,  in a Press statement also raised concerned over the silence of the state government: “We are deeply concerned about the obvious silence of the Plateau State government over these resumed hostilities on our soil.”
“Is it because the government is concerned about the raging coronavirus pandemic that we are almost abandoned to the gruesome activities of Fulani marauders? If the government does not rise up to tackle this challenge, Irigwe land would be wiped out, even before the COVID-19 comes close to Plateau State.”
“Unfortunately, our people are now homeless and helpless. As we go to sleep today, only God knows which community is next. We are, therefore, asking for assistance for our displaced relatives and community members, especially as this is coming at a terrible time of national emergency.”
“We want to appeal to the state government to wade in by talking to the top echelon of the military to do the needful. We are a peace-loving people who work on a daily basis to ensure the sustenance of our people.” Abdu stated.
These accusations do not end within the boundaries of Plateau state as a group, known as Nigerian Youth Coalition for Democracy, Good Governance and Development, only last week in a press  briefing equally accused Lalong of maintaining silence in the face of series of killings in the North as the chairman northern governors forum.
“The noisy silence of the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, the strategy-less Service Chiefs, and the confused policy makers scare us more than the bullets of the attackers.”
The statement which was read by the  coordinator of the forum, Haruna Yusuf Abba went further to advise Lalong to brace up to his responsibilities as a true chairman of the northern governors forum by proffering solutions to the killings in the region.
“There is an urgent need for Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State to be the true Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum. His Excellency should do all within his powers  to speak the plights of northerners to his colleagues and to the outside world and help cut down any pretext that doesn’t enhance accountability. We are sick of crying before our children in such a time as this that we ought to be giving them hope and strength.”
When The EYEWITNESS called the state commissioner of information Mr. Dan Manjang, to hear government’s reaction on the allegations and to know what government is doing to address the security challenges in the state, this was the telephone conversation that transpired between us after exchanging pleasantries.
Eyewitness: Sir, am Emmanuel Dung, the editor of The Eyewitness.
Manjang: Okay how can I help you.
Eyewitness: Am calling to get your reaction in respect of concern raised by some individuals on the level of insecurity and killings across the state, and the recent criticism by the former Vomptroller General of Immigration, Mr. David Paradang, that the governor has failed in the area of security and welfare of the citizens.
Manjang: (cuts in), Paradang was a colossal failure, as a head of immigration, how can someone who is a colossal failure be talking about another person? He should be looking at his situation, what did he do when he was the head of immigration and what has he done as an individual to help boost the activities of Plateau? He was a colossal failure. The man is a colossal failure, we as an administration we don’t respond to people who have nothing to offer.
Eyewitness: Sir, with due respect, kindly address the issues he raised, than attacking his person, he is not the only person raising concern on the issue of insecurity.
Manjang : (cuts in) I want to tell you, you are in this state, you know what is happening in this state, I don’t respond to people that have make up your mind.
Eyewitness: (cuts in) I have what?
Manjang: you have a mindset.
Eyewitness: if I have a mindset I wouldn’t have make effort to reach out to you
Manjang: (angrily) My brother you have a mindset, you have a mindset, you can go ahead and write whatever you want, yes whatever you want.
Eyewitness: Sir, you are judging me wrongly, am the one that called you.
Manjang: Am saying this because of your tune, I will drop the phone go and write what you want.
Eyewitness: Am talking loudly because the network is bad.
Manjang: I will drop the call, go and write whatever you want, (he then hang up).