New Plateau Senator not holding seat for Governor – ITF DG

Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, Mr. Joseph Ari says newly elected Senator representing Plateau South in the Nigerian Parliament, Prof. Nora Daduut is fit for the position.

Nora, Ari said, Saturday, is a “diligent mother and worker, strong and industrious, respected, a gentle speaker, laced with wisdom, looking always to her people’s needs, and above all, a woman who honors the Lord”.

The new parliamentarian, a first female occupant of the seat from Plateau State, the ITF DG said was elected to replace late Senator Ignatius Longjan who died two years into his tenure, and not preserve the seat for the present Governor of the State, Simon Lalong as insinuated.

“To the people of Quaan-Pan, a Clarion call is being extended to us to unite and work as one big family. We should eschew all forms of false perception, negativism and division, and strive to imbibe the virtues of love, justice, fairness and peace,” said Mr. Ari at a Thanksgiving mass for Nora.

Ari however saluted Governor Lalong for “insisting” that the substitute Senator emerged from Quaan-Pan Local Government Area.

Governor Lalong, at the ceremony in St. Brendan Catholic Church Kwa in Quaan-pan pledged to support Nora to succeed at the parliament.

He equally called for unity among citizens in the Senatorial zone to enable all elected officials succeed.

Prof. Nora in her remarks gave credits to the Governor, the ruling All Progressives Congress, the media, women and youths for her victory.

Quoting US Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, Nora said, “While I may be the first in this office, I will not be the last”.

She urged “all women” to participate actively in politics to make a “difference” in society.

Bishop Hilary Dachelem from Bauchi, said Nora’s election was divine, for the good of the masses. Wide public support, the cleric said would be beneficial.

Nora was elected on November 5, in a by-election organized to replace Senator Ignatius Longjan who died in March, 2020.

Nora beat a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Governorship candidate, George Daika to emerge winner of the polls.

She will be in office till 2023, when the current tenure of the late Senator Longjan will expire. She will however still be qualified for re-election, if she wishes to contest.