GOV. LALONG WARNS AGAINST ETHNO-RELIGIOUS PROFILING, AS NORTHERN GOVS APPEAL FOR CALM OVER KADUNA GOVT/LABOUR FACE-OFF

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) has called for calm and dialogue in resolving the ongoing face-off between the Kaduna State Government and organized labour over purported plans by the Kaduna State Government to right-size its workforce.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the Forum is concerned about the impact of the strike on the State and its citizens.

While calling for dialogue and negotiations which is a long standing dispute mechanism in labour relations, the Northern Governors called for restraint and de-escalation of the situation to enable an amicable settlement of the issues in question.

In a press statement signed and made available to media houses, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, dated, 18th May 2021, Governor Lalong said, “This is only possible when both parties operate within the law and approved conventions in ventilating their grievances, as well as, avoid making comments or taking actions that will further exacerbate the situation thereby heightening tension”.

In another development in Abuja, Governor Lalong, who doubles as the Chairman Northern Governors Forum has warned that, “Unless Nigerians stand against ethnic, religious and political profiling in running the affairs of the country, the search for peace and unity will remain elusive”.

Governor Lalong, according to a press statement signed and distributed by, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, who also doubles as the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State, dated, 19th May 2021, disclosed that Governor Lalong gave this advice, while  speaking at the 2nd Quarter, 2021 Meeting of the Nigerian Inter Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja.

The Governor said, “Nigeria is a diverse country with people of different backgrounds and choices which should not be used against them in any way”.

Adding that, “We have to put humanity above any other consideration because, when we judge people by their ethnicity, religion or other leanings, we miss their potentials because, profiling influences the marginalization of people without reason.

“For instance, we have to treat crime as crime and isolate criminals rather than covering their actions by where they come from or their religion. This further creates disunity and division”.

Governor Lalong said, his administration in Plateau State has ensured that people get what they deserve irrespective of their backgrounds. This he said has brought about peace and tolerance which has now restored calm in the State.