Former Plateau State Governor, Fidelis Tapgun, has said that he declined to contest the 1999 governorship election under the PDP in the state for the sake of unity.

He then faulted insinuation making rounds that he once governed the state, saying it was during the illegal military democracy.

In a chat with Royal Times, he declared that politics in the state is “characterized by jealousy, pull-him-down syndrome; if not, I was supposed to contest at that time because I have not done anything”.

Former Plateau State Governor, Fidelis Tapgun, has said that he declined to contest the 1999 governorship election under the PDP in the state for the sake of unity.

He then faulted insinuation making rounds that he once governed the state, saying it was during the illegal military democracy.

In a chat with Royal Times, he declared that politics in the state is “characterized by jealousy and a pull-him-down syndrome; if not, I was supposed to contest at that time because I had not done anything”.

He said: “In fairness, I know the problem I had with people around, most especially Baba Lar. So we decided to give it to Joshua Dariye from the central zone.

“So the central zone ruled Plateau State for 8 years. From there, it came to northern zone. Jang is about completing 8 years for the northern zone. As we are in this state today, southern zone has not governed Plateau State, and it’s the turn of that zone in 2015.”

According to him: “During our time (1991-92), the Supreme Court declared it null and void completely, so that was why our colleagues in other states contested again and won and served their terms of 8 years. For example, Jolly Nyame – Taraba State, Abba Bukar – Yobe State, Segun Osoba – Ogun State.”

He therefore advised politicians who are bent on denying the southern zone, where he comes from, a shot at the governorship slot next year to have a change of heart and do what is right.

He stressed: “In the second republic, Solomon Lar spent 1 term and 3 months then; there was a coup and they were removed. I also became a governor, I spent 1 year, 8 months under the military, and because the Head of State was a military, we were sent out. In the process Plateau State was divided.”

Culled from Royaltimes.net http://royaltimes.net/politics/2015-turn-southern-plateau-says-tapgun/

count | 23

Tapgun: The Southern zone has not produced a governor under this new democratic dispensation and should be given a chance