Call For Justice And Fairness In Taraba: The Voices Get Louder -By Sylvanus Y. Giwa

As the clock ticks on, days are turning to weeks after the scarred verdict of the Taraba Governorship Election Tribunal that declared as winner the runner up and incumbent Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan on the ground of Governor Darius Ishaku’s primaries and party issue. Since this event on Saturday 7th November 2015, Tarabans have continued to demonstrate by words and action that they will not acquiesce to the outright robbing of their mandate to Governor Ishaku. Many Nigerians have defied party affiliation to join the call for justice and fairness by the national Government in this issue, affirming that a wrong precept is about to be entrenched into Nigeria’s democratic record. Indeed posterity is waiting to judge any action or inaction that builds or pulls down the labour of our heroes past.

The World is Watching and Talking

None of these events are escaping the watchful eyes of the world. Several observers who earlier perceived the unfolding issues as normal events are giving it a critical look to identify ulterior motives in the game. If there have been criticism about PDP and what they did right or wrong in the past decade and half, then it is very crucial to prove it now and show the right path to follow. Various groups and individuals have continued to call for justice in the Taraba issue, noting the suspecting manner the events unfolded and raising critical questions that will test the morality of the players. The disparity in application of laws in reaching verdicts of election tribunal is one point that observers are keenly interested in. If it is simply coincidence that State, National Assembly and Governorship seats clearly won by PDP are being subjected to tilted trial, then it will leave one wondering the cause. It is the path of wisdom to clear any building doubts in the minds of admirers of Nigeria’s new leadership and what it represents.

DDI Remains Afloat

Governor Ishaku on his part has continued to demonstrate that he owes his people and no time will be lost in redeeming their expectations. Shortly after his cabinet constitution and inauguration, the members have settled down for work in line with the administration’s Rescue Plan. The Governor himself has restated his pledge to transform Jalingo the State Capital to an enviable status comparable to other States in the country. Darius Ishaku stated this recently while inspecting some roads within Jalingo metropolis. He was worried about the hardship suffered by residents as a result of bad roads in some parts of the town. This prompted the ongoing road construction and more to be handled by Wizchina Worldwide Engineering Nigeria Limited. The Governor inspected the two roads leading to Magami, starting from Michelin roundabout, linking Mayo Gwoi Bus Stop. He also inspected Roadblock to Kona which is work currently in progress. He also inspected the road from Federal Medical Center Jalingo through NTA station, linking Justice Mohammed Mahmud road in Anguwan Nasarawo. On the Governor’s directive, the road is to be co-opted into an earlier plan once the design is ready and approved.

Some other roads were inspected for installation of Solar street lights viz: Sani Abubakar Danladi way, new GRA road from Specialist Hospital Jalingo through the Deputy Governor’s office, linking Justice Mohammad Mahmud road. Others are Donga road, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai way which starts from Nasarawo roundabout to Mile Six and the road that runs along NLC Secretariat to the Federal highway to Yola. Beyond the aesthetic value, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku is addressing another key issue in the rescue plan – security. He projects that criminal activities at night will be curbed by lighted streets and residents can freely carry on their lawful activities and businesses without fear.

His burden has always been to provide the people with basic needs that would impact positively on their lives. The lean resources of the State are not an obstruction to his resolve to create the necessary socio-economic transformation the State urgently needs. Tarabans need to join their willpower to his and remain afloat in the face of distractions as we head to the shore.

— Giwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Taraba State on Media & Publicity