Maku explains absence at Nasarawa @ 20 anniversary

Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has said the maladministration, misapplication of resources, mass suffering and violence under Governor Tanko Al-Makura’s administration are reasons that stopped him from attending the 20th anniversary celebration of the state.

Maku, a 2015 gubernatorial candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, stated this while speaking with journalists in his country home, Wakama, in Akun Local Development Area of the state.

It would be recalled that Maku did not attend the 20th anniversary celebration of the state in Lafia while statemen made up of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Solomon Ewuga, Lt. Col. Bala Mohammed, past deputy governors, among others attended.

The former minister also listed non-prompt payment of workers salaries, incessant strikes which resulted in the loss of lives among the people of the state and under development as other reasons that nullified the joy of the celebration of the state at 20.

The former minister said instead of him to attend the anniversary, he and his family would rather pray fervently for God’s intervention in the administration of the state so as to improve on the standard of living of the people of the state and Nigeria at large.

He said: “The present economic hardship, mass suffering, maladministration, misapplication of resources, violence, killings, sharing of blood across the state by the administration nullified the joy of celebrating the state at 20.

“So, I did not attended the anniversary of the state at 20 not because I did not appreciate or be grateful of the autonomy that has been given to us in which it has also given me the opportunity to serve the people of the state in various capacity.

“But how will I go and do parade, eat and wine in Lafia when workers have not be paid, when our children education is at stake because of incessant striking action and when people have been dying of poverty, hunger because of maladministration, it is unfortunate.

He however commended the founding fathers of Nasarawa state who worked to ensure the togetherness of the various ethnic, religion and political groups and urged the people of the state to shun ethnic and religion politics at all the time.

Maku also urged the people of the state to be law abiding, respect constituted authority and to live in peace irrespective of ethnic, religion and political affiliation for the overall development of the state and the country at large.