Governor Simon Lalong on Friday rejected the federal government’s proposed establishment of cattle colonies nationwide.
The governor, a staunch ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, in what can be considered a surprise decision, refuted claims he has designated parts of the state for the establishment of a cattle colony.
This is contained in a statement released by his media aide, Dan Manjang.
The governor asked citizens of the state to shun violence and gravitate towards those things that unify them.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has been drawn to the news making the rounds, particularly in the Social Media that parts of Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs have been carved out for the creation of colonies for cattle, in fulfilment of his promises to the Fulani who have pressured him, to either cede those areas or he faces the other side of their viciousness which may cost his aspirations.
“The Governor herein after state unequivocally that this thinking is not only the figment of the imagination of its authors, who want to make political capital out of it, but false, malicious and highly mischievous.
“Governor Simon Bako Lalong has and does not contemplate such action and he further call on all good citizens of Plateau to bury such imagination of these elements bent on throwing the State into confusion. Cattle colonies are not in the imagination of Governor Lalong.
“Consequently, the Governor urge all peace-loving citizens of Plateau State to discountenance such mischievous information but to gravitate towards issues that unite us rather than those that divide us.”
