From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Chief (Dr) David Sabo Kente recently received an award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as “ philanthropist Man of the Year”. But the reception following his arrival at the airport left no one in doubt that some persons want him to come and steer the affairs of the state as the placards they displayed glaringly refer to him as their next governor.
The placards with different inscriptions “ DSK come and rescue Taraba State “, “2027, DSK is our choice “ “Tarabans yearn for DSK 2027” and several others, appear to reflect the resolution of the majority of the people who want him to run.
Daily Sun recalls that thousands of indigenes of Taraba have benefited either directly or indirectly from the generousity of Chief Kente, a development that earned him the NUJ Philanthropist Man of the year award.
Speaking during the Taraba NUJ Press Week to mark the union’s 70th Anniversary in Nigeria at the C to C event centre, Jalingo, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Mathew Elud-Jen disclosed that the awardees who were careful selected have distinguished themselves above board in different facets of life.
“I stand here to tell you that Chief (Dr.) David Sabo Kente who bagged the Philanthropist man of the year Award is an exceptional character whose kind gesture has no boundaries. I wish to declare that we are yet to find his equal in Taraba State,” the NUJ chairman added.
Ambassador John Musa, the Chairman of the occasion elugisef Chief Kente for his generosity and service to humanity, saying”DSK Taraba is proud of you.”
A cross section of Taraba citizens who spoke to our correspondent shortly after the presentation of the Award to Chief Kente in Jalingo, all whished the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain and business mogul, is given the opportunity to pilot the affairs of the state, come 2027.
Hon. Shuaibu Ataka, a former commissioner and APC stalwart, said “ with the abysmal performance of the present PDP administration in Taraba State, it will be easier for APC to rescue power in 2027 if the party allows Chief David Sabo Kente who enjoys overwhelming support of the people of the state to fly the governorship ticket.
As you know, the APC has lost consistently in the state because of disagreement among key players over who flys the ticket. If President Tinubu and the party leadership want to rescue power in Taraba for the first time, they should try Chief Kente “ he advised.
Also, Mr Orya Clement, an elder stateman, said “Chief (Dr.) David Sabo Kente is a rare gem. A detribalised gentleman, always sounding ebullient, happy and captivating businessman, he is also an APC Chieftain that is endowed with exceptional leadership traits and resilient for positive transformation.
“It is indeed a statement of fact that Kente is an unrepentant apostle of revolutionary change in the nation’s political circle, “ he said.
Daily Sun recalls that Kente, who worked with the National Assembly Service Commission before retirement, was the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2015 Taraba State governorship election, where he gave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Darius Ishaku, a run for his money.
He however lost to Ishaku and later joined the APC in 2016. He aspired for the number one seat of Taraba State under APC in 2023 but again lost the ticket to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha in a controversial circumstances that ended in court.
He once served as a member of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) where he was the chairman, Board of Trustees of its Education Endowment Fund.
As the race for 2027 approaches and with the APC working to put its house together, calls for Kente to join the race continues to echo.
Alhaji Uba Maigari, minister of state, Regional Development, recently told journalists that the APC is poised to take over Taraba State in 2027.
According to Maigari “the only thing that has stopped the APC from taking over Taraba all this while is just internal wranglings. I think most of us have realised that now and have resolved to work together for our common good. As we speak, I am one of the leaders of the party in the state and I have already resolved that I will not contest for anything. Instead, I will ensure that things are done right and everyone is provided with a level playing field so that whoever emerges as the candidate of the party will be generally accepted and the rest of us will team up to grant the party victory”.