By Jude Owuamanam
JOS (Sundiata Post) – The Plateau State Government has expressed regret over the cancellation of the proposed visit to the state tomorrow (Saturday) by President Muhammadu Buhari. The President will now be represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The state government asked the people of the state not to be despaired as the proposed visit was cancelled because of the president’s pressing engagement
Buhari was supposed to visit the state on Saturday as part of his function to preside over the graduation of course participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru near Jos.
However, a last minute cancellation, despite lavish preparation must have left the citizens appalled at what they see as an apparent neglect by the president
However a statement by the Director, Press & Public Affair, Samuel Emmanuel Nanle, said that the Office of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has been inundated in the last one week with calls concerning a planned State Stakeholders meeting on Saturday the 25th November, 2017, with President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR after his initially proposed visit to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru for the Graduation Ceremony of Participants of Senior Executive Course No. 39.
The statement said, “The interest generated by the news of Mr President’s visit is well appreciated given the desire of Mr President to hold Consultative Dialogue with the citizens of Plateau State, to discuss matters of Governance and the security challenges occasioned by recent violent attacks, on innocent citizens in some rural communities in the Northern Senatorial District.
“It is however unfortunate that some pressing National and international exigencies of the Office of Mr President have necessitated a cancellation of the Visit, and this is deeply regretted.
“The Governor is however happy to have received the confirmation of the President’s acceptance to pay a scheduled State visit in the coming year, during which the President will hold a parley with all stakeholders in the State.”
The statement added, “The Executive Governor in line with the Initial arrangement to receive Mr President is directing all Members of the State Executive Council, Management Committee Chairmen, Heads of Government MDAs and other Top Government functionaries, to assemble at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang by 8am on Saturday 25th November, 2017 to receive the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN GCON, who will be attending the NIPSS Course 39, Graduation Ceremony as the Special Guest of Honour.”