By Peter Amine
Dr Patrick Dakum, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Abuja, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to appoint a minister from Plateau to fill the vacancy created by Sen. Simon Lalong’s resignation from the cabinet.
Dakum, who bared his mind while interacting with newsmen on Wednesday in Jos, said that the delay in replacing Lalong, who is now a member of the National Assembly, is a disservice to Plateau people.
The former Plateau Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 elections said that the state was denied participation in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for over six months.
Dakum, who was commissioner for health and information in Plateau, stated that democracy entails carrying everyone along, following due process, observing the rule of law, and dispensing justice to all without delay.
He wondered why Plateau was left without a minister for such a long time, thereby denying them participation in decision-making for good governance in the country.
“There are capable and eligible hands in the state that can handle any ministry, so why delay the appointment?” he asked.
On the lingering non-swearing of the remaining seven members-elect to participate in the Plateau State Assembly’s legislation, Dakum said it denied constituents the right of representation.
The former commissioner said that it’s an abuse of democracy to procrastinate swearing in the members-elect.
He added that everyone should be carried along and no constituency should be left behind in the interest of democracy, good governance, progress, and justice. NAN
