2019: Nine PDP governorship aspirants jostle for Lalong’s seat

As preparations for the 2019 governorship intensifies in Plateau State, more aspirants among the opposition People’s Democratic Party emerge each day.

Some of the aspirants seeking to unseat the incumbent governor, Simon Lalong on the platform of the PDP include: Jeremiah Useni, George Daika, one time member of the house of representative; Victor Lar, former senator for Plateau south senatorial district; and Timothy Parlong, a former adviser to ex-governor Jonah Jang on peace building.

Others are: Shedrack Best, a professor, former Secretary to the State government; Kemi Nshe, twice Shendam council chairman; Samuel Jatau, a retired deputy director with the state government and Nandom Pynap, a former adviser to Mr Jang.

The latest among the aspirants is a retired Major in the Nigerian Army, Sam Abashe who served the in the army for 21 years.

Mr Abashe, in a press conference Saturday in Jos, said if elected governor, he will end insecurity bedeviling the state for decades.

“If given the opportunity to serve as governor of Plateau state, I will ensure that all the white papers of commissions which adjudicated on the crisis are fully implemented to the letter,” he said.

Mr Abashe also said he will reposition the state’s economic fortune positively.

“Plateau State has every potential to be an exporter of agricultural produce, because our land is fertile, but no administration seem to be harnessing it at the moment.”

He said education will be made free, if “citizens meet there individual and collective obligations as responsible citizens”.

At the moment, the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) has not produced any contender to contest against the incumbent.

But the state APC chairman, Latep Dabang told journalists in his office that “APC are democrats, who will not restrict any member from vying for the office of governor”.