TheNewsGuru

Tag: taraba state

  • Stop killing each other, TY Danjuma appeals to Nigerians

    Stop killing each other, TY Danjuma appeals to Nigerians

    A former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), on Friday appealed to Nigerians to stop  killing each other and allow the country to make progress.

    Danjuma made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Nwonyo International Fishing and Cultural Festival at Ibi, in Taraba.

    The retired general, who was also the Chairman of the occasion,  noted that if the people of the state wanted the festival to be truly International, then there must be peace.

    “There must be peace in Taraba and Nigeria for any meaningful development to take place.

    “At the moment, no sane foreigner will choose to come to Nigeria when we are butchering each other in all the places.

    “Stop the kidnapping, stop the needless crises, stop the killings that have made Nigeria a laughing stock of the rest of the world.”

    Danjuma said the Nwonyo International Fishing and cultural festival was not just an event to showcase the Jukun cultural values, but also a meeting point for the diverse communities.

    He commended the Taraba Government, the organisers and supporters for reviving the festival.

    Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, who graced the event, described the festival as a unifying factor among the neighbouring states, and pledged continued support to ensure its sustenance.

    Fintri commended his Taraba counterpart, Gov. Agbu Kefas, for paying attention to cultural values, saying that culture was the root of peace and must be promoted.

    In his address, Kefas noted that the festival was one of various ways his administration was using to promote justice and peace among the different groups in the state.

    He thanked Danjuma, Fintri and the Deputy Governor of Benue, Sam Odeh, as well as other dignitaries, for gracing the occasion.

    The festival, which commenced on Friday, will end on Saturday with a fishing competition.

  • Massive voter turnout for Taraba rerun election

    Massive voter turnout for Taraba rerun election

    The supplementary election for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal Constituency seat in Taraba, on Wednesday recorded massive voter turnout across polling units.

    Throughout the 15 polling units in Jalingo metropolis, voters displayed enthusiasm to exercise their franchise, with queues forming as early as 7:00 a.m., ahead of the 8:30 a.m. commencement of the exercise.

    Alhaji Tukur El-Suldi, chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, expressed satisfaction with the turnout.

    El-Suldi observed that the turnout could have been higher if the election was scheduled for a weekend.

    He, however, expressed confidence that the APC would win in the election.

    He noted the peaceful and orderly atmosphere at the polling units, compared to the rerun election held on Feb. 3.

    According to El-Suldi, 14,795 votes, totaling the number of PVCs collected in the affected polling units, will be contested for by the political parties and their candidates during the supplementary poll.

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sadiq Tafida, was leading with 17,214 votes at the by-election, closely followed by Mr Innocent Jabayang of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who garnered 15,537 votes.

    Alhaji Aminu Malle, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), got 12,000 votes.

    The seat became vacant following the death of Alhaji Samaila Maihanci, who won on the platform of the PDP, but died before the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

    The Feb. 3 rerun, had ended up in another rerun due to the slim margin between the winner and the runners up, which was less than the 14,795 cancelled votes.

    However, there was tight security at the polling units, as all the processes followed the laid down rules governing the conduct of an election.

  • INEC announces supplementary election for Taraba, re-run in Enugu

    INEC announces supplementary election for Taraba, re-run in Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated a supplementary election in Taraba and a new re-run election in Enugu State on Feb. 14.

    The commission said this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Olumekun said that the decision was taken by the commission at its Tuesday regular meeting where it deliberated among other issues, the outcome of the Saturday re-run and by-election.

    The by-election was held in nine constituencies to fill vacant seats resulting from demise or resignation of members elected during the 2023 General Election, both at the National and State Houses of Assembly.

    Additionally, re-run election also took place in 39 constituencies as ordered by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.

    Olumekun said that the by-election was concluded successfully across all designated constituencies, with the exception of the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

    He said that the final declaration of the election was postponed due to over voting in some polling units, impacting the margin of lead between the candidates with the highest number of votes.

    Olumekun said that the details of the polling units would be published on Wednesday.

    “Regarding the re-run election, disruptions occurred at two Polling Units in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State and across all polling units in the Enugu South State Constituency of Enugu State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.

    “This was due to violence, thuggery and the hijacking of election materials.

    “The commission had previously suspended the re-run election in these areas in accordance with Section 24(3) the Electoral Act 20 of 22.

    “Following additional reports from our officials in the affected States, the Commission supports the Returning Officer’s decision to announce results in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, as the number of registered voters in the two polling units did not affect the outcome of the election.

    “The Commission has resolved to conduct a supplementary election in Taraba and a new re-run election in Enugu State on Wednesday Feb. 14.

    “Due to security concerns, the election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency will be held at a later date, after further discussions with security agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

  • INEC declares Taraba by-election as inconclusive

    INEC declares Taraba by-election as inconclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Saturday’s Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency by-election as inconclusive.

    Prof. Daniel Ayuba, the INEC Returning Officer for the election said this after the collation of results in Jalingo on Sunday.

    Ayuba said that the decision was based on the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    He said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji  Tafida Sadiq scored 17,214 votes, while the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Innocent Jabayang, scored 15,537, votes to place second.

    Ayuba said that the 1,677 votes margin between the two candidates was not enough to declare Sadiq as the winner, hence the election was declared inconclusive.

    “In the Electoral Act, there is a principle which stipulates that, if the margin of victory is less than the total number of collected PVCs in the areas where election is cancelled, the result cannot be declared and anyone declared returned.

    “From the computation that we have done and the results available to us, the margin of victory is less than the total number of collected PVCs in the areas where election did not hold, or cancelled which is 14,759.

    “Consequently, the election is inconclusive and a rerun would be held in the respective areas between the candidate with the highest votes and the first runner-up,” he said.

    The election followed the death of Ismaila Maihanchi who was elected in the February 2023 general election.

  • Troops destroy bandits’ hideouts, rescue kidnap victims in Taraba

    Troops destroy bandits’ hideouts, rescue kidnap victims in Taraba

    Troops of 114 Battalion (Rear) of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security forces, on Saturday destroyed multiple bandits’ hideouts and  rescued 4 kidnap victims in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Lt Olabodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, and made available to newsmen in Jalingo on Sunday.

    It stated that the swift and decisive operation to flush out bandits and kidnappers disturbing the peace in Yorro and its environs commenced on Feb. 2

    It said that troops came in contact with bandits at Gampu hills and Ban Yorro area and exerted superior fire power which made the bandits to flee the location, leaving behind their four abducted victims.

    “The operation is still ongoing to ensure that other kidnapped victims who fled the area during the exchange of fire are found and reunited with their loved ones.

    “The rescued victims are Genesis  Samuel, 24, from Ganku village; Benard Denis, 28, from Fulfualgon village; Esther Titus, 35, from Kosanai village and the Emir of Pupulle’s son, Isma’il Umar, 25, who was abducted at his residence on Jan. 18.

    “The Brigade is committed to ensuring the safety of citizens and dismantling all criminal infrastructure in the state.

    “Members of the public are urged to continue to support the military by giving credible and timely information on suspicious movements, to aid in improving security within the state.

  • NNPP Founder opens up over Supreme Court verdict on Taraba governorship election

    NNPP Founder opens up over Supreme Court verdict on Taraba governorship election

    Dr Boniface Aniebonam, founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says the party is disappointed with the Supreme Court’s ruling, dismissing NNPP’s petition against the 2023 Taraba governorship election outcome.

    Aniebonam,  who expressed this on Friday in Lagos, however, said  the party had decided to move on and look ahead for a new Nigeria in future elections.

    Urging party members and loyalists to be law abiding, the NNPP boss said: “We leave it at that and look ahead in the future for the emergence of a new Nigeria of our hope and dreams.

    “The mantra of new hope for Nigeria must be our guiding principles.”

    Expressing disappointment, Aniebonam said that understanding the party’s loss of victory in Taraba  ” is of man in the physical other than spiritual rhymes.

    “Those who thought they have won are the actual losers because the justice system of God did not prevail but that of man.

    “In particular,  the registrar of the tribunal who did not disclose the actual records of proceedings for the use of the appeal court and the supreme Court.

    “Under the circumstances,  the appeal court and the Supreme Court cannot build on nothing in making decisions in relation to justice system of the Supreme Being.

    “Supreme Court is supreme in the physical and the law and there is nothing anyone can do at the moment .

    “The God of the NNPP is reactionary with high responses to injustice to man, society and even the dead,” Aniebonam said.

    Recall that the Supreme Court on Thursday,  upheld the election victory of Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 Taraba governorship election.

    Kefas’ victory at the polls was challenged by NNPP and its candidate, Prof. Yahaya Sani at the Taraba Governorship Election Tribunal and Appeal Court before the party approached the apex court for justice being unsatisfied with rulings of the lower courts.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had upheld the judgment of the Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal which affirmed Kefas as the duly elected governor of the state.

    The NNPP had prayed the courts below to invalidate the governor’s election for non-compliance with the 2022  Electoral , adding that he didn’t score the majority of lawful votes cast.

  • Troops neutralise three bandits, seize weapons in Taraba

    Troops neutralise three bandits, seize weapons in Taraba

    The troops of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, deployed to Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba have neutralised three notorious bandits.

    This is contained  in a statement signed by Lt. Olabodunde Oni, Public Relations Officer of the brigade, in Jalingo on Thursday.

    He said that the successful mission also resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, a motorcycle used by the criminals, and a cache of 40 rounds of 7.62 MM Special ammunition.

    The public relations officer explained that the operation took place in Chibi, where the troops acting on actionable intelligence, conducted a precision strike against the criminals.

    According to him, the engagement demonstrates the troops’ unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and security in Taraba.

    The statement also said that the Commander 6 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops for show of bravery and efficiency in executing the operation.

    Oni also said that the Brigade Commander emphasised the military’s determination to rid the state of criminals and ensure the safety and well-being of the local population.

  • Taraba: We’re hopeful of victory just like Kano– NNPP founder

    Taraba: We’re hopeful of victory just like Kano– NNPP founder

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) says it is hopeful of reclaiming its alleged governorship victory in Taraba at the Supreme Court, billed to deliver its judgment on Friday.

    Members and leaders of the party in collaboration with the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) expressed this hope during a special prayer session on Wednesday in Lagos for the party and its candidate, Prof. Sani Yahaya.

    The prayer session organised by the NNPP’s founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, is to seek God’s intervention in the NNPP’s appeal on the 2023 Taraba governorship election.

    The suit is before the apex court , and the prayers are also to thank God for the party’s victory in Kano State.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Gov. Kefas Agbu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Taraba, which the NNPP and its candidate had rejected.

    Yahaya and his party challenged the result and asked the tribunal to nullify Agbu’s victory on the grounds that the election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act, alleging that Agbu did not get the majority of lawful votes cast.

    However, the Taraba Governorship Election Tribunal led by G.A Sunmonu on Sept. 30, 2023, held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations.

    The NNPP and its candidate went further to appeal the tribunal’s judgment but the appellate court on Nov. 28, 2023, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    However, dissatisfied with the judgment, the NNPP and its candidate approached the Supreme Court, insisting that they were denied justice.

    Addressing party members during the prayers, Aniebonam said: “Prayers means communication with God. We want to thank him for what He has done before and looking ahead to what is coming in Taraba.

    “For Kano, we are done with that and today we are here to celebrate our victory. Today again we want to ask for more as regards our case in Taraba.

    “Now that the Supreme Court ruling is coming up on Friday, we have come back again to God like we did before the Kano Supreme Court’s ruling, for Him to intervene.

    “Nothing is above God, we have seen it in Kano, especially when there is a case of injustice to the people and of course the society.

    “The mandate was given to our party in Taraba, I am sure God will not allow it to go. Moreso, the judiciary has taken up responsibility to redefine their role as the hope of the common man.”

    The NNPP boss said that Nigerians were very happy with what happened in Kano when the lone NNPP’s Gov. Abba Yusuf won his mandate back at the Supreme Court.

    “We look forward to replicate that in Taraba,” he said.

    Aniebonam urged the generality of NNPP members, loyalists and leaders to keep faith alive ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

    “Whatever is the outcome, let us remain law abiding,” the NNPP boss said.

    On the estranged chieftains of the party, Aniebonam said it was time for them to come back and build the party to rescue the country.

    “My role as the father of the party is to ensure that everyone is brought together and work in one spirit.

    He said that what was going on in the party was normal internal crisis.

    Pastor Joel Ozor, who led scores of NAGAFF and NNPP members in prayers, appreciated God for answering the party’s prayers on the Kano governorship tussle in favour of the party.

    The cleric said the party also needed God’s favour and mercy in the Taraba governorship tussle to get justice at the Supreme Court.

    He described God as a covenant keeper, who remained faithful and consistent in all His ways.

    He led party members in fervent prayers to call on God to give the NNPP victory in Taraba.

    He urged the party to put their trust in the Lord in the battle, saying God would direct the path of every Justice of the Supreme Court.

    Ozor also led the people in prayers for mercy for NNPP leadership, including its estranged 2023 Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Kwanwkwaso and some other officers now allegedly working against the party.

    “Ahead of the Supreme Court’s judgment, we put God in front and we believe God will take the lead and fight the battle. Let there be victory for NNPP,” Ozor prayed.

    He prayed God to grant Justices of the Supreme Court wisdom and courage to protect the mandate of Yahaya without intimidation and harassment.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap high-ranking Chief, 20 residents in Taraba

    Gunmen kidnap high-ranking Chief, 20 residents in Taraba

    Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, in the early hours of Tuesday, kidnapped a Second- Class Chief and 20 residents in the Pupule area of Yorro local government in Taraba state.

    The gunmen, according to locals in the area, invaded the community around 2:am and took away 21 members of the community.

    Reports from the locals also suggested that, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar, a Second- Class Chief in the area, his son and his pregnant daughter as well as his police orderly were kidnapped during the operation.

    “Twenty one members of our community here in Pupule, were kidnapped this morning. The gunmen invaded our community around 2: am and carried out the attack.

    “They kidnapped a second-class chief of our area, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar Nyala, his son and pregnant daughter as well as his police orderly,” the source who pleaded anonymity narrated.

    Mr Usman Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, also confirmed the attack.

  • Appeal Court affirms Agbu Kefas as Taraba Governor

    Appeal Court affirms Agbu Kefas as Taraba Governor

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday affirmed the election of Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of Taraba.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Agbu as the winner of the Taraba governorship election conducted on March 18, 2023.

    The New Nigeria Peoples Party and its candidate in Prof. Sani Yahaya had instituted a petition against the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party and Kefas.

    The petition was on the grounds of non-compliance to the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022, citing over voting, mutilation of result sheets and alleged violence in some polling units.

    Delivering judgment in the appeal, a three-member panel of the appellate dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    In a unanimous judgment delivered by justice Peter Affen, the court held that the appellants failed to prove their case.

    Affen held that the petitioners were inconsistent in the reliefs sought.

    ”They can not claim a certificate of return in an election they claimed was fraught with non- compliance and irregularities.

    ”The section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022 have not aboringated the provisions of the Evidence Act .

    ”The appeal lacks merit and accordingly dismissed ” the court held.

    The Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Jalingo on Sept 30, affirmed the election of Dr. Agbu Kefas as the governor of Taraba .

    The three- member panel led by Justice G. Sunmonu dismissed the petition filed by the New Nigerian Peoples Party and its candidate, Prof. Sani Yahaya for lacking in merit.

    The panel held that the petitioners who claimed to have scored the majority of lawful votes cast were inconsistent in their reliefs sought as they asked that the same election be declared invalid, yet valid to declare their candidate winner.

    The tribunal upheld the election of Governor Agbu Kefas of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the duly elected governor of the state.

    The tribunal held that the petitioners failed to proof their case to warrant the reliefs sought to be granted

    “The two issues formulated by the petitioners in their final written addressed are therefore resolved against them.

    “The petition lacks merit, we accordingly reaffirm the election and return of Kefas as the duly elected Governor of Taraba and parties are to bear their cost,” the tribunal held.