The Renewed Middle Belt Forum (RMBF) has endorsed Governor Simon Lalong for the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in the incoming administration.
In a letter dated May 22 and co-signed by its President Bala Mohammed and Secretary-General, Dr. Abu James Abu, the group said the stakeholders and leaders from the zone unanimously backed the Plateau Governor for the job.
The RMBF said they came to this conclusion after a thorough analysis of all the eminently qualified sons and daughters of the Middle Belt and their impact on governance.
The letter noted that Lalong stands out owing to his loyalty, impeccable track record, experience, and pedigree, adding that he is the highest ranking Middle-Belt son in government.
The group admitted that although they expect the Plateau governor to represent their interests, his antecedence shows that the nation comes first.
According to the letter, the group said Lalong would be a worthy ambassador of the Middle Belt and ensure that his principal Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fulfills every promise he made to Nigerians.
The Renewed Middle Belt Forum, therefore, urged the President-elect to appoint Governor Lalong as the SGF.
It said the appointment will quell the tension among the Christian faithful over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and the well-established marginalization of the Middle Belt.
“The Renewed Middle Belt Forum wishes to congratulate the President-Elect ahead of his inauguration. May 29th will be historic in so many ways and we believe this will be the beginning of a new dawn for the nation,” the letter said.
“We are confident that this administration will hit the ground running immediately with the appointments of cabinet members. On this note, we wish to convey the resolutions of the relevant stakeholders and leaders from the Middle Belt.
“Your Excellency, you will agree that the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC caused a measure of uneasiness among Christians. It is also visible that the Middle Belt has again been shrugged off from the scheme of things, especially after the zoning arrangement of the ruling party for the National Assembly leadership was made public.
“Indeed competence, integrity, and excellence should be the main considerations for appointment. That is why we are putting forward a man who ticks all the boxes for the position of the SGF.
“Governor Lalong will not only settle the perceived religious and sectional bias, but he is also a man who has over the years displayed exceptional capacity, sagacity, and effective leadership. He is a unifier and detribalized Nigerian with an incredible track record and pedigree.
“The Middle Forum believes that Governor Lalong will do a thorough job as the SGF and ensure that this administration pursues all its policies and programs aimed at the peace and progress of the nation”.
