The senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Sen. Ignatius Longjan, is dead.
The late senator was a former deputy governor of Plateau State.
According to his former Press Secretary, Mr. Wulimen Goyit, the senator died in the early hours of Monday at the Turkish Hospital, in Abuja, after a brief illness.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the state has since expressed shock over the death of Senator Ignatius Longjan who died after a protracted illness.
Governor Lalong, in a statement signed by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Simon Makut Machan, described as ‘devastating’ the death of the senator who represented Plateau South Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
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Governor Lalong said the death of the elder statesman was a huge loss to not only his family, the people of Plateau South Senatorial District, but the entire state because of his immense contributions to the development of the state and the nation.
He said, “We have lost a man of honour and candour who in all his affairs always put the interests of Plateau State first.
“His humility, humanity and wealth of wisdom were always at display when he weighed on any issue that concerns people. We will surely miss him”.
The governor also recalled how the former deputy governor served Plateau State steadfastly and loyally from 2007 to 2015, and also played a significant role in ensuring political stability in the State all through the period of various security challenges that the state passed through.
He equally recognised the enormous contributions of the deceased on the floor of the Senate where he represented his people with so much passion and projected the interests of Plateau State and the nation in all his contributions.
Governor Lalong, while sympathising with his immediate family, urged the people of the state to accept the sad event as the will of God and pray for the repose of his soul.
A retired career diplomat, the late Sen. Longjan was a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Party in Plateau State and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism. He was also former Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Plateau State Jonah Jang.
In his reaction, former Governor Jang described Longjan’s death as ‘shocking’ considering his contributions to the development of plateau state and Nigeria.
Jang, who spoke through his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, said he has not just lost a political soul mate but a friend at a time when his wealth of experience and contributions are most needed by the state and its people.
He condoled with the family, government and people of the state over the loss and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest with the Lord.