By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Governor Simon Lalong’s aspiration for a second term is set to receive a major challenge from his base in Plateau South after a former confidant of the governor, Dr. Godfrey Shitgrurum threw his hat into the 2019 contest.

Lalong

Shitgrurum who declared his aspiration on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP among others alleged that Lalong had failed in delivering democracy dividends to the populace.

The PDP aspirant, remarkably, was a allegedly, a major financial supporter of the governor ahead of the 2015 primaries and is believed to have also mobilised in other ways to help the governor’s aspiration.

It had been opined that Dr. Shitgurum, a seasoned international business tycoon may be fronting for Governor Lalong based on the massive support he (Shingurum) gave Lalong in 2015. However, the contrary was the case as the aspirant has formally declared his intention to take over his former friend’s seat saying that “Lalong has failed to provide credible leadership in the state and the anomaly must be corrected.”

Campaign posters of the businessman, a kinsman and former ally of Governor Simon Lalong had not too long ago flooded the streets of Jos and Bukuru metropolis.

When he declared for the governorship, the aspirant said:

“I supported Governor Simon Lalong to ensure he was elected in 2015 to bring the desired development in the State, but he is lacking, I will actually take over to provide the needed leadership for the people at the grassroots.