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From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Ahead of the constitution of a new federal Executive Council and appointment of Minister by the incoming administration in the country, the Taraba Advocacy for Justice, Equity and Good Governance (TAJEGG) has called on the President elect Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider Taraba Central senatorial zone as the zone has not benefitted from the slot since the return to democracy in 1999.
The group made the call in a Press statement issued in Jalingo on Monday and signed by the secretary Mallam Mahmoud Lamu.
Lamu noted that, the Eleven ministers appointed from Taraba State since 1999 are either from the Southern or Northern zones of the state, leaving the Central zone without even a slot since.
He noted that the zone has consistently garnered large chunks of votes for the party since 2015 but is sadly neglected when it comes to considerations for Federal appointments.
“It is obvious that Taraba state has been underestimated in the area of participation in governance. This is obvious by under representation in the area of appointments into federal government agencies and parastatals. Even more worrisome is the relegation of the Taraba Central Zone in consideration of ministerial slots, which we consider grossly unfair.
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“This issue has become even more worrisome in the recent times as the zone is known to be the political heart beat of our great party (APC) in the state. This is visibly demonstrated by constantly producing large votes for the party. We have been quiet over this injustice because we lacked a convenient platform and opportunity to express our long standing sentiment and grievances to relevant authorities and the general public as well.
“Available records shows that the Northern Senatorial Zone produced Dr. Mohammed Satta, Late Aisha Jummai Alhassan, Eng. Sale Mamman, and Alhaji Muazu Jaji Sambo while the Southern Senatorial Zone has Gen. T Y Danjuma, Mr. Obadiah Ando, Mrs Salomi Jankada, Dr. Alhassan Zaku, Alh. Idiris Waziri, Governor Darius Ishaku, and Mr. Joel Danlami Ikenya.
“It may please you to know, gentlemen of the Press, that the pioneer Chairman of APC in Taraba State Alhaji Hassan Jika Ardo is from this zone. He came from CPC and was among those formed the APC in the state and worked hard to make the party the beautiful bride for all. If such persons are consistently relegated to the background when it comes to such appointments, then where is the reward for loyalty and hard work?
“Ladies and gentlemen, the APC has been a darling of the central zone since it came to sportlight in Nigeria’s political spectrum. Prominent individuals in the zone have nurtured the party to it’s popular status and acceptability state wide. It will amount to another round of colossal injustice and unfairness if the APC would again cede the ministerial slot to any zone apart from the central zone in the state.
“We wish to at this juncture, draw the attention of the national leadership of the APC, President and Vice President Elects to wade into this unfair treatment against our zone with the view to addressing the quagmire. We also wish to let you know that the zone has produced astute and adequate political manpower qualified and capable to serve the nation in every capacity. For emphasis, we have amongst us the Pioneer State Chairman of the APC, an astute mobilizer who took the party to victory in both presidential and Governorship elections in 2015 while he was overseeing the state party affairs, he’s a great party man and a grass-root politician, no doubt he is a founding member of the APC from CPC days that saw to the 2015 merger. He is currently the State Coordinator of Independent Grassroot Presidential Campaign Council IGPCC that worked tirelessly for the victory of APC in the state. It is on record that, despite all odds, Ardo was able to mobilize and won his Unit, Ward and LGA for the APC in the just concluded 2023 Presidential elections with landslide. It is only fair that we encourage such hard work, selfless courage and determination” the group submitted.
