Tribunal’s ruling: Intervene in Taraba State now to avert crisis; Group tells Buhari

A youth organization in Taraba State, the Taraba Coalition of Youth Leaders, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to move in earnest to avert impending crisis in the state by redressing the political status of the state caused by the sacking of Governor Darius Ishaku.

In what they branded a ‘serial robbery of an uncommon kind,’ the group condemned the ruling of the state’s Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja which nullified the election of incumbent governor of the state and announced the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hajiya Aisha Jummai Al-hassan, as winner, urging President Buhari ‘to take more than a passing interest in the outcome of the tribunal judgement on the state governorship imbroglio.’

In a statement signed by Mijinyawa Usman and Daniel Maikasuwa, as Coordinators, the group warned of looming crisis should the ruling be allowed to take effect.

“First, we wish to appeal to His Excellency to take more than a passing interest in the outcome of the tribunal judgement on the state governorship imbroglio.  Your Excellency must have been properly briefed by now and would have noticed that this judgement, apart from being a travesty of justice, is an insult on the President’s sense of propriety and justice. Even a child on the street knows that Governor Darius Ishaku was unfairly treated. It is serial robbery of an uncommon kind.

“Neglecting the issue of elections, the tribunal ruled on the ground of issues of primaries. Who can forget the case of the governor of Benue state, Gov. Ortom who confessed he didn’t go through a primary is still now a governor. Is it because he belongs to the APC or what?

“Secondly, since the judgement on Saturday, ancient fears and animosity has suddenly been revived in Taraba. The fragile peace Governor Darius was able to provide is already waning. The verdict is to be blamed for this. The majority of Taraba citizens who voted for the current administration are really worried about their future and are getting restive especially knowing this is an unwarranted aggression.

“The president should note that Nigeria needs peace in all the regions, especially the North East where insurgency is being battled. Taraba state has so far remained a peaceful place serving as a buffer zone of the sub region. This verdict is threatening that peace. In Wukari local government for instance, crisis has erupted. The only saving grace is that there is room for appeal so our people are calm as we have pleaded with them that all shall be well. We are ready to face all the legal hurdles but the president must ensure justice is done.

“In conclusion, we wish to state that the verdict of the tribunal clearly appeared to be paid for and

Influenced by financially-enhanced party members. It is provocative and the teeming electorate of the state would protect their mandated,” said the group.

It would be recalled that no fewer than 30 people were reportedly killed in Wukari Local Council of Taraba State, weekend, in the aftermath of Saturday’s ruling by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja which sacked Governor Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Aisha Alhassan as winner of April 11, 2015 poll.

The upheavals, which were said to have commenced at about 1 a.m. Sunday morning left scores dead with many more injured.

Peace and tranquillity in Wukari Council was said to have been disrupted immediately the news of the APC governorship candidate’s victory in the said governorship election filtered into the council.

Though heavily armed security personnel were deployed to the area to halt any form of uprising, aggrieved people defied whatever form of check the soldiers and policemen were expected to represent and went about attacking and killing perceived opponents from either side of the political divide.

According to the sources, the Wukari General Hospital and some private clinics in the area have admitted no fewer than 50 casualties with varying degrees of injuries.

“Instead of celebrating the victory of their candidate peacefully, we were surprised that APC supporters went about attacking PDP supporters, destroying their property, killing and maiming them. I can tell you it would have been worse if PDP members had retaliated, but they behaved maturely.”

Confirming the report of violence and killings, the police commissioner through the Police Public Relations Officer said more anti-riot policemen, have been deployed to the area.

Some families who spoke in a telephone said they were trapped inside their homes and hideouts, even as they said they were afraid to venture out.

Also, a large deployment of anti-riot policemen and soldiers are already in Jalingo, the state capital to forestall violence from Wukari.

Vehicles coming in from outside the state were thoroughly searched by the security operatives at the various checkpoints in the city.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sylvanus Giwa, Ishaku enjoined the people to remain calm as relevant security measures have been put in place to halt the crisis from escalating.

He also said the government would take all legal and constitutional measures to nullify the Tribunal’s ruling which he said cannot be justified and would remain a figment in the imagination of those behind it.

Saddened by the tribunal’s ruling, Rebo Usman, the Chief of Staff to the state governor, said the situation in the state is a litmus test to President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against corruption.

He said: “I will like to state here clearly that President Buhari has a challenge before him on the case of Taraba state. For judges to have done that means a lot of water must have passed under the bridge.”