‘Prayers, appeal helped secure pardon’ — Lalong speaks on Dariye’s release

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau, says prayers were offered for Joshua Dariye, former governor of the state, for the latter’s release from prison.

Dariye and Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba, were released from the correctional facility in Kuje council area, federal capital territory (FCT), on Monday.

The development comes almost four months after the former governors were granted state pardon.

At a council of state meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in April, Dariye and Nyame were among 159 inmates pardoned.

The two former governors, who were both jailed for fraud, were granted pardon on the grounds of age and ill-health.

In a statement on Friday, Makut Macham, Lalong’s spokesperson, said the governor led a delegation from the state along with his wife, Regina, to visit Dariye at his residence in Abuja to congratulate him on his release.

Lalong thanked Buhari for his magnanimity in granting pardon to Dariye and Nyame, adding that “massive prayers and appeal was made to facilitate it”.

The governor urged Dariye to continue to contribute to the advancement of Plateau through his knowledge, and prayed to God to grant him good health.

“In his response, Dariye thanked God for his release and using people such as Lalong and President Buhari to make it a reality,” the statement reads.

“He debunked rumours that he was running for senate and advised politicians in Plateau to unite and support the governor in promoting the interest of the state and its people.

“He described governance as an opportunity for those in charge to do their best and leave posterity to judge their efforts, saying no one could not finish the business of government in a day.”

The delegation, which included federal lawmakers, as well as members of the state executive council, also visited Nyame at his residence in Abuja.