How Plateau Gov. Lalong wrongly made me a scapegoat – Sacked LG chairman

The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Angyol, who was sacked yesterday over the lingering violence in the area, has stated that the state governor, Simon Lalong used him as a scapegoat, adding that, “there is more to it than meets the eye”.

Lalong had, in a letter to the Plateau House of Assembly on Tuesday, intimated them of Angyol’s sack, which the lawmakers promptly approved.

The governor accused Angyol of negligence, which he said, was responsible for the escalation of the violence that lasted four days in the area.

The Police Command in Plateau state had confirmed that 30 people were killed and scores injured in the violence that hit 10 villages in Daffo District of the local government.

A statement from the Plateau government has also confirmed that more than 5,000 people have been displaced, with many of them camped in worship centres, schools and residents of relations.

But Angyol, who expressed surprise at the governor’s action, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday that it was unfair to blame him for the crisis that was not peculiar to Bokkos Local Government.

“Many parts of Plateau are facing similar disturbances: Bassa, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin-Ladi are also affected.

“To the best of my knowledge, no local government chairman has been blamed for the violence in their areas. Why should my local government be singled out?

“I am only a victim of circumstances because no one has ever called me to find out what happened here, or even told me where I went wrong to warrant my removal,” he said.

The sacked chairman also reacted to the allegations that he slapped the member representing Bokkos constituency at the Plateau House of Assembly, Mr. Sunday Maren, over the crisis.

“It is true that I had a quarrel with the member, but I did not slap him.

“I had expected members of the House of Assembly to invite me so as to listen to my version, but they did not do that. That is why I feel that they were not fair to me.

“I am a Christian and will not tell lies over this issue. I cannot lie to God. I did not slap anybody,” he said.

He, however, said that he had no regret over the development.

“I did not do anything wrong, to the best of my knowledge. If I did, I would have run to the governor or to the lawmakers to beg and apologise.

“I am not desperate for that position. I leave everything to God.”