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 stood out owing to his loyalty, impeccable track record, experience, and pedigree, adding that he was the highest ranking Middle-Belt son in government.
The group admitted that although they expected the Plateau governor to represent their interests, his antecedents showed that the nation came 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 fulfilled every promise he made to Nigerians.
The Renewed Middle Belt Forum, therefore, urged the President-elect to appoint Governor Lalong as the SGF.
It argued that his appointment would quell the tension among the Christian faithful over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and the well-established marginalisation of the Middle Belt.
“The Renewed Middle Belt Forum to congratulated the President-Elect ahead of his inauguration adding that May 29th would be historic in so many ways.
The letter read, “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.
