On 11^th April, 2015 registered citizens in Plateau state went to the polls to decide who would become the Governor of the state in what was unarguably the most divisive and contentious gubernatorial election in the state since Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999.

In the days leading to the elections, candidates from the Labour Party (LP) and the Mega Progressives People Party (MPPP), Amb. Bagudu Hirse and Mrs. Elizabeth Samson Yerse, respectively, dropped their ambitions in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong.

The elections were therefore a contest between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sen. GNS Pwajok and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong.

Pre-election opinion polls and analysis all pointed to a comfortable, albeit narrow victory for Sen. GNS Pwajok, in what was meant to be an easy trade between him and the former Governor, Da Dr. Jonah Jang, who was seeking to replace Pwajok as the senator representing Plateau North senatorial zone.

Against all odds, Barr. Simon Lalong, defeated the PDP candidate having scored 564,913 votes while Pwajok polled 520,627 votes. The APC candidate won a majority in 11 out of the 17 local government areas in the state.

The burden of expectations on the new governor of Plateau state cannot be overemphasized as he has literally been expected to perform miracles upon his assumption of office. After campaigning on the ‘Change’ mantra adopted by his party, which helped lead them to victory, as well as ‘The Rescue Team’ slogan of his gubernatorial campaign – the administration of Barr. Simon Bako Lalong cannot afford not to live up to the expectations of the citizens that installed him in office.

Encouragingly, these expectations seem not to be lost on the governor. In his inaugural speech he acknowledged that, ‘The test of man is not how well he campaigned, but how effectively he meets the challenges and responsibilities of the new office. The onus is how we manage the victory, the great expectations of our people’.

The new administration will quickly learn that every policy decision and action it makes will be scrutinized and criticized. In setting an example in integrity, accountability and transparency, the governor and his deputy must begin by declaring their assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau in line with constitutional provisions.

Unfortunately for the administration of Simon Lalong and Sonni Tyoden, they will not enjoy a honeymoon period as the challenges facing them are enormous. At the top of this list, from his inaugural speech at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium on May 29^th will be to address the challenges of peace and security in the state.

However, he must first address the lingering issues of the non-payment of salaries to civil servants and pensioners in the state for over 6 months and the strike embarked on by civil servants in the state shortly before the inauguration of the new administration.

Despite his appeals to striking workers to return to work and afford the incoming administration an opportunity for cooperation in settling their salary issues, negotiations will labour and union leaders have remained deadlocked.

As a result of the strike by civil servants in the state, economic activities have been affected, the state is losing millions of naira in terms of internally generated revenues; social services and amenities are also not provided, most disturbing are the unsanitary heaps of garbage which litter major streets in the city of Jos, such as the commercial centre – Ahmadu Bello Way.

Less than one week into his tenure, the vocal supporters of former governor Jonah Jang and Senator Pwajok have become the fiercest critics of Simon Lalong. His first appointments have been met with mixed responses including rejection and acceptance of some by watchers of the polity, as well as accusations of rewarding cronies, party faithful and campaign contributors with political offices.

Speaking at his inauguration, Simon Lalong admitted that the next four years would not be easy ones as he called on all citizens to actively participate in the rescue mission of the state, not only on the shoulders of the his administration or party. Barr. Lalong further envisioned a revival of the spirit and a renewal of commitment to unity and uncommon purpose, calling the electoral process ‘a referendum on our mere spirit of unity and affirmation of the desire to change and of a new direction of our people’.

As the new administration rolls outs its agenda, they will also have at the back of their minds, the small issue of the election tribunal to deal with as well as the hangover from the Jang administration in terms of accusations and counter accusations regarding the debt profile of the state and the monies in the state treasury. Regardless, the Lalong administration must focus on its task of meeting the expectations of the Plateau people, including those who worked and voted for him to ensure his victory at the polls, as well as those who did not.

Finally, the inaugural speech of the provided insights into the policy thrust of the Lalong administration in Plateau state which would be anchored on peace, security and good governance; human capital development and social welfare; agriculture and rural development; entrepreneurship and industrialization; and physical infrastructure and environment.

The weight and burden of these expectations are heavy and would require strength, wisdom, courage and skill.

Our situation can similarly be described from the passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar, quoted by President Muhammadu Buhari in his inaugural address:

There is a tide in the affairs of men which,

Taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life,

Is bound in shallows and miseries.

You have an opportunity, sir. You must take it.

-Follow this writer on Twitter. @IbrhmFaruk

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SIMON BAKO LALONG: SHOULDERING THE BURDEN OF EXPECTATION – by Ibrahim Faruk