GOVERNOR Jonah David Jang of Plateau State has refuted a number of what he called malicious and mischievous telephone text messages and publications, deliberately intended to malign him and the people-oriented administration in the state by some political opponents.He said such publications and unfounded telephone text messages were designed at this crucial moment of the elections and political transformation to mislead the electorate in the state from doing the right thing during todays elections.However, the truth must be told that such diabolical plans by some of these political opponents in the state arose as a result of the more than one million votes recently garnered by the PDP during the presidential election.The sentiments being whipped up by the desperate politicians is also aimed at creating disharmony and tension among the peace-loving people of the state so as to scuttle todays elections. Indeed, the successful conduct of the elections so far has not gone down well with these crisis-merchants in the state who camouflage as politicians, he said.The issue of security in Plateau State should be that of proffering solutions rather than its politicisation to inflame more passions. The personal integrity and spiritual matters of individuals, including Governor Jang, is one between them and their God and, therefore, this does not call for the casting of aspersions and invectives on people for political reasons.For the avoidance of doubt, the re-election campaign of Governor Jang of the PDP in Plateau State has always been driven by issues and tolerance and not by cheap blackmail and character assassination. All along, his campaign has been premised on deep desire to render service for the development of the state.In this dynamic era where politics is nationally and globally driven by issues rather than narrow mindedness, it leaves one wondering the quality of leadership this class of politicians want to offer the people of Plateau State going by the adage that serious minds thrive on issues, the governor added.He cautioned that the enlightened Plateau people should not, therefore, allow themselves to be swayed into the emotions of those politicians who desperately want to dissuade them from the endorsement of the path of development as anchored by the Redemption Vision of Governor Jang, a statement yesterday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, James Mannok, said.According to the statement, our teeming electorate should not be misled and deceived but come out on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, to exercise their franchise as all the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of lives and property of all citizens in the nooks and crannies of Plateau State.Similarly, the governor has directed security personnel to escort members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to and from their places of duty on the election day. This is part of the measures the government has taken to ensure their security and safety.Government also wishes to warn any individual or group that plans to either disrupt the peace of the state or interfere with the electoral process that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on them. Security agents have been briefed and adequately empowered within the ambits of the law and rules of engagement to deal with troublemakers before, during and after the elections.As the electorate in Plateau State go to the polls today to elect their governor and legislators, issues should be on the basis of political bargain and not character assassination and cheap blackmail, the statement pointed out.
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