Governor Lalong Urges Christians To Join Politics, Says It Is Not A Dirty Game

By Akinwale Kasali

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has urged Christians to quash the mindset not to participate in Politics because it is believed to be a dirty game.

He said the Christian Community has this impression which shouldn’t be, stressing that as Christians, it is their franchise to seek political offices if they have what it requires to vie for that position.

Governor Lalong in a statement signed by his spokesman, Macham Makut, on Saturday, said this when he hosted Northern Christian leaders in Jos, the State capital.

According to the Governor, Christian leaders must galvanise the Church and make demands from candidates vying for political offices.

Lalong said this was necessary because anyone whom God gave power, must work for the interest of all Nigerians including the Christian community.

The Governor said: “This is why we must work harder towards mobilising our brothers and sisters to actively participate in the political process so as to not only decide who leads them, but also have a say on the table when decisions are being taken. We can no longer afford to treat politics as a dirty game thereby leaving it to some few people, and yet complain of marginalisation and poor governance. It is the Church that has the solution to the world since Jesus Christ called us the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World.”

Governor Lalong said as a Governor and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, he had enjoyed tremendous support and collaboration from the Christian leaders within the state and the entire northern region who had to engage him and other leaders over policies and programmes of government as well as other national issues, particularly as they affected the Christian community.

He disclosed that he was aware of the expectation of Christians especially as it related to issues affecting their rights and privileges as well as security and safety within the political system.

Therefore, as we approach 2023 when Nigerians will be making crucial decisions, I challenge you as leaders to guide your members to first be part of the process and also ensure that they do not make decisions based on emotions and other factors that will not add value to their aspirations.

We should be strategic and look at the bigger picture and how it affects our interests,” he said.

The Governor assured them that as a Christian and a Knight of the Catholic Church, he would continue to do his best to protect the interest of the Body of Christ in any position God gave him to serve the people.