Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Alhaji Sule has said he is under intense pressure from all quarters over political appointments.
The governor bared his mind while playing host to Afo community, at Government House Lafia, yesterday.
Governor Sule who noted that many people helped him in his struggle to become governor, said for now only few will be appointed at the beginning.
The governor, who also said competence will be the watchword during such appointments, said others will get their share of appointment as time goes on.
The governor also spoke in the same vein in Karu, where he appealed for “a little more patience” from people asking him to quickly appoint officials to occupy political positions.
He spoke on Saturday at a special luncheon in his honor and grand reception for former governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, in Karu, the headquarters of Karu local government area of the state.
“I have received calls, many emails, and messages from people who believe we are too slow. They complain that we have not made appointments”
“We agree that some of the people making these calls mean well for the state, but we have to be careful. We want to consult widely so as to appoint the right people and start on a sound footing,”
“I am aware of the pivotal roles the appointed officials will play in actualising my plans for the state, but we only want to check a little more to ensure that we get competent persons to constitute the government”.
“Two of the special assistants are from Karu local government area. So, I am sure that in the next cycle of appointments, we will bring people who we believe are highly competent.”
“As a Johnny-Just-Come (JJC), governor, a JJC politician, I am going through a very interesting moment. I am asking stakeholders in all sectors to tell us what has been achieved and areas we should focus on”
“We want to carry everyone along. We must work together and achieve together. My doors are open and we are prepared to listen to good counsel,” he said.
In his remarks, Al-Makura thanked the Karu Local Government Council for the honor done to him, saying that the little he achieved as governor could not have been possible without the cooperation of the people.
He urged them to extend the same cooperation to his successor and particularly pleaded with them to support his aspiration of industrialising the state as promised when he was seeking the people’s mandate.
Earlier in a welcome address, Mr. Samuel Akala, Chairman, Karu Local Government Council, had said that the ceremony was to appreciate politicians who had contributed to the growth of the state over the years.