Pope Francis Has Said Nothing Against My Director-General Appointment – Lalong

The Governor of Plateau State and Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, Simon Lalong has come out to say that he is yet to receive any directive from Pope Francis to reject his recent appointment to lead the campaign for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, as a Catholic, he has to value the advice of the Pope at all times, but he still hasn’t told him to back of his appointment as Director-General till now.

He added that if Nigerians should see reports about him rejecting the appointment, it is all lies.

His words, “As a Catholic, everything we do, we send the advice to the Pope. The Pope has not told me that what I’m doing is bad to accept the Director-General. As a Catholic, we take that direction.”

“I came back home and CAN welcomed me at the airport. The next day, I addressed stakeholders of Plateau State. And I told them why I am accepting. And then there was jubilation and all of them accepted.”

“So if you see people talking about me rejecting it…I’ve accepted already. It’s not an option. I’m a Christian. I went through missionary schools. I respect my being a Christian. I have been given the highest award by the Pope. The Knight of St. Gregory the Great.”

“And as a Catholic, everything we do, we send the advice to the Pope. The Pope has not told me that what I’m doing is bad to accept the Director-General. As a Catholic, we take that direction.”

On concerns over his campaign duties overshadowing Governance in Plateau, “We are using technology now. What is the distance from here (Abuja) to Plateau? It’s 20 minutes if you are going by air. Just as I’m leaving this place, I have a Plateau Executive Council meeting. I have capable hands that are taking care of the state. So, I have no fear. That was why I mentioned it, that I have no fear about my time.”

“This is not the first assignment I’m doing. I’ve been handling assignments from the Federal Government, from the party while sitting as governor of Plateau State.”