Solomon Dalung, minister of youth and sports, has accused Simon Lalong,
governor of Plateau state, of misleading President Muhammadu Buhari to
inaugurate a bridge which was completed by ex-President Goodluck
Jonathan.
Buhari paid a two-day working visit to Plateau last week – his first since he took over in 2015.
In
a statement on Monday, Dalung criticised the governor, saying Lalong
had refused to accept the advice he had been offering him.
The minister said he was not after Lalong for a selfish reason but out of his love for the state.
“Former
President Goodluck commissioned federal secretariat bridge, why did
Governor Lalong mislead the president to recommission it again?” he
asked.
“I honestly have respect for him (Lalong) because he is my
leader. I have given him series of advice and will continue to do even
though he has not taken any.
“The governor should realise where
we are coming from and save the state from further drifting into chaos. I
have been quite supportive of the governor and his administration
despite his repeated turning down of advice.
“I am concerned about the state and do not have any political ambition.”
He also accused the Plateau state government of mismanaging a $2 billion loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The minister said the state government was not prudent with its resources.
“Where
is the $2 billion loan collected from African Development Bank for
potatoes processing factory payable in 25 years?” he asked.
“Where
is the factory located? Or where is the money kept and whose account?
Why did the state government keep the issue of the loan secret? What is
happening to LG funds? What is happening to five percent meant for the
traditional council?”
While responding to an attack on him by
Latep Dabang, the state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC),
Dalung said the APC chairman was “frustrated”.
Dabang had criticised the minister for saying that he was not invited when Buhari visited the state last week.
“I
can understand the problems confronting my friend and brother, Latep
Dabang. His mentor has left the party, so things are falling apart, the
centre can no longer hold,” he said.