former deputy governor of Plateau state and governorship candidate on the platform of the Labour Party in the 2011 governorship election, Pauline Tallen, has attributed the persistent?? violence and killing in Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, as politically motivated and ethnic-driven, rather than religious, as perceived.
The erstwhile PDP stalwart was part of discussants at the International Leaders Round Table Fellowship which discussed issues surrounding conflicts between indigenes and citizens in Nigeria, in Abuja.
Tallen stated that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Jonah Jang should be held responsible for the mayhem in the state.
Reacting to the recent killings in Barkin local government area of the state, she said, “The plateau issue is an issue of injustice. So much injustice has been meted to the people by the PDP and Governor Jang.You can’t slap some one and stop him from crying.
“We had thought peace would remain for a while, but recent killings in Barkin local government indicate that the people have had enough injustice and can not just take it any? more.”
Tallen remarked that?? the major reason she left? Jang’s administration to? contest was because the? government lacked courage to take bold steps to? end the crises. She decried the situation as “regrettable” and said that she was “rigged out”, that ordinarily, if she had worn the election, she would have ended the crises.
“People do not really?? know the pain I felt as a deputy governor then, when I advised on ways of???? stopping the killings, but my advice was ignored. I could not stay on while? my people were dying.
“I am talking? as one who has been an insider in government and I am telling you that the killings in Plateau are not religious, but political, largely ethnic and propelled by? injustice.”
Tallen added that, “Every family in Plateau has both Muslim and Christian relations; even the? Governor Jang’s familyis made up of both religions. So, one can not say that these crises are religious,because no? one will like to kill his brother ”.
Tallen, who could not?? hold back her tears wept while speaking, and askedNigerians to continue? to pray for the people of Plateau.
“ I have the feeling that, soon, God will expose those politicians behind? the killings in Jos:the? blood of our babies , children, pregnant mothers, and young people that was spilled and? their? souls are crying in their shallow graves. God is? already tormenting some? of them, and son, the truth will be revealed,soon,” she? lamented.