The Plateau Elders Forum (PEF) has declared that Governor Lalong’s dialogue approach to addressing the persistent attacks and killings in the state “is a colossal failure”.
In a statement on Wednesday in Jos, the forum noted that for he past five or more years, the Plateau State Government through the Plateau Peace Building Agency, and recently the Inter-Faith Committee, has expended energy and resources on finding solution to the violent crises without success.
The statement signed by the spokesman of the forum, Mr. Jonathan Ishaku said, “No reasonable person should continue doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result,” stressing that the dialogue approach to ending the killings in the state “is a colossal failure”.
The forum condemned Tuesday’s attack on the convoy of the newly elected federal lawmaker, representing Bassa/Jos North federal constituency, Hon. Musa Avia, which left two people dead.
It noted that the attack came barely a week after Lalong, visited Bassa Local Government Area and assured the Irigwe leaders that the signing of the peace agreement between them and the Fulani will usher in lasting peace in the area.
The statement said, “Plateau Elders Forum once again condemn this violence and urge the government to accept the futility of past approach in dealing with the terrorists.
“As we urged in our last press statement what is needed now from the government is to embark on drastic measures in line with the Federal Government declaration of the aggressors as terrorists.
“For the past five or more years, the Plateau State Government through the Plateau Peace Building Agency, and recently the Inter-Faith Committee, has expended energy and resources on finding solution to this violent crisis without success.
“No reasonable person should continue doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result: the dialogue approach is a colossal failure.
“The Plateau elders urge the state government to expeditiously take alternative measures to tackle this escalating violence by leveraging both the nation’s military asset and state’s community intelligence and defensive resources.
“Finally, we once again convey our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. “We also wish the Honorable Member God’s continuous protection.”
