Lalong Beefs up Security Ahead of Buhari’s Visit
Seriki Adinoyi
The Plateau State Government has beefed up security ahead of the today’s visit of President Mohammadu Buhari to the state. The entire streets of Jos have all been cordoned of with stern-looking security agents, including soldiers, policemen and civil defence services.
This is even as the state government has declared today a work-free day to enable residents come out en masse to welcome the president on a two-day working visit to the state.
Mr. Izam Azi, Head of Service, who announced this yesterday in Jos after an emergency State Executive Council meeting, added: “The holiday will afford civil servants and other citizens the opportunity to give the president a rousing welcome,” Azi said.
Also, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Yakubu Dati, announced that there would be restriction in movement during the visit, especially around areas the President would inaugurate projects.
Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are mounting pressure on the party to change its name, THISDAY can authoritatively reveal.
Two senior members of the party who confided in THISDAY said they preferred to speak anonymously to avoid sanctions from the party.
According to them, the fortunes of the party were likely to improve during the next general election if the party adopts a new name.
According to them, “It will also enable more people, including those who left the party, the opportunity to join the party.”
He cited former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, as one of those who had privately expressed concern about the party’s name.
“I don’t know whether this is why he left for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but I am convinced that his decision to leave must have been influenced by the issues bordering on the party’s name.
“It is not only Gana that is seeking a change of name. Many of the members of the party who had left and desirous of coming back to the party also want a change of name,” the source also added.