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Tag: Taraba

  • Gov. Ishaku prohibits kissing, other social activities

    Gov. Ishaku prohibits kissing, other social activities

    Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Saturday ordered the immediate shutdown of schools and all social gatherings of more than 20 persons including Mosques and Churches across the state to check the spread of coronavirus (Covid -19).

    The governor in a State Broadcast said the decision had become imperative following the global threat by Covid -19 pandemic.

    “I hereby direct the shutdown of all public and private primary, secondary and tertiary schools on or before Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

    “Similarly, all mosques, churches and any other gatherings of more than 20 persons are no longer allowed in the state,” he said.

    Ishaku also advised the people of the state to avoid body contacts like handshaking, hugging and even kissing as they are the easiest ways to contract the disease as identified by medical research and experts.

    He also ordered that all recreational centres like beer joints and restaurants should close on or before 7 p.m daily.

    Ishaku, who returned to Jalingo on Thursday after spending 87 days away on medical grounds, noted that the state government had already put in place two isolation centres for those who might be infected with the pandemic.

  • Anxiety mounts in Taraba over Gov Ishaku’s prolonged disappearance from office

    There is palpable anxiety in Taraba State over the prolonged absence of Taraba State Governor, Mr. Darius Ishaku, from the state and his non-transmission of power to his deputy, Alhaji Haruna Manu.

    Recall TheNewsGuru (TNG) had earlier reported the aforesaid story.

    While the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state called for the handing over of power to Manu, in line with the constitution, the deputy governor and the Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Albasu Kunini, faulted the call and accused the opposition party in the state of mischief.

    Ishaku left Jalingo, the state capital, for Abuja shortly after he presented 2020 budget to the State House of Assembly on December 19, 2019, and has since not returned to the state.

    While in Abuja, he had travelled to the United Kingdom where he was said to have undergone surgery on one of his legs and thereafter returned to Abuja and has remained there since then.

    But Ishaku’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Abu, told journalists that the governor was advised to remain in Abuja by his doctors and he would not stay at the nation’s capital longer than necessary.

    Abu said Ishaku was involved in a domestic accident from which he sustained a minor injury and was recuperating.

    He, however, noted that the governor is discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hindrance, particularly award of contracts, payment of salaries of civil servants, employment and distribution of employment letters to civil servants, among many others.

    But the governor’s prolonged stay outside the state is generating controversy as the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is the main opposition party in the state has accused the governor of breaching the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly section 190 (1) and (2).

    The party flayed the governor for failing to hand over to his deputy just as it accused the State House of Assembly of negligence for its failure to transmit power to the deputy governor.

    The Chairman of APC in the state, Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, in a telephone interview with THISDAY, stated that though his party sympathized with the governor over the domestic accident he had, the provisions of the constitution must be adhered to.

    “We, the APC in Taraba State, are not happy with the absence of the governor for the past 84 days. We understand that he had a domestic accident. We sincerely sympathise with him but our position is that the right thing has to be done. Our demand is not out of malice or mischief but adherence to the rule of law.

    “The 1999 Constitution as enshrined in section 190 (1) (2) specifically spelt out that whenever the governor would be out of the state for a specific period of time, he should transmit a letter to the House of Assembly transmitting the instrument of the state government to the deputy governor.

    “And the section also stipulates that in the event that the governor fails to transmit a letter, the House of Assembly would transmit power to the deputy governor after 21 days to act as acting governor. We have called on the House of Assembly to do the right thing and we’re still waiting for them to do the right thing,” he said.

    According to him, APC is prepared to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion as it has commenced moves to explore every legal option to ensure compliance with the constitution.

    “In the event that they refuse to do the right thing, we’ve mandated a private lawyer to write to the House of Assembly to demand that the constitutional provision should be followed. If they fail to accede to our demand, we shall obtain an order of mandamus to compel the House of Assembly to transmit power to the deputy governor,” he added.

    But the state House of Assembly speaker criticised the APC for allegedly attempting to subvert the constitution.

    Kunini while speaking with newsmen said that the section does not contemplate or envisioned the scenario the APC was portraying, adding that there is no justification for calls on the governor to transmit power.

    He said: “The governor is in Abuja and he is working. The government is running smoothly. Section 190 (1) and (2) does not stipulate that the governor should transmit power when he is in Nigeria and he’s performing the duties and functions of his office.

    “Unless and until the constitution is amended, that is the position of the constitution. Those calling for the governor to transmit power or calling on the House of Assembly to transmit power to the deputy governor are only being mischievous.”

    The deputy governor also faulted the position of the APC, describing as mischievous its call on the legislature to transmit power to him.

    He said the governor’s absence had not affected governance in any form.

    In a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Alhaji Lawal Kona, Manu dissociated himself from the APC’s challenge and condemned the call, saying it is an attempt to cause disaffection within the government and score cheap political goal.

    “The Taraba State Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu, has noted with dismay, the smear campaign going around, especially in the social media by some mischievous persons that Darius Ishaku should hand over to him as acting governor.

    “Deputy Governor Manu has dissociated himself from such agitators and condemned their actions in the strongest terms. The unwarranted call by these mischief-makers is no doubt a ploy to cause disaffection within the administration in order to score a cheap political goal. Their plans to instigate mistrust within the polity will definitely fail,” he said.

    Manu also warned those he referred to as ‘rabble-rousers’ to desist from attempting to distract the leadership or inflame the emotions of the people of the state.

  • Why Taraba Governor abandoned office in Jalingo, operates from Abuja since December – Aide

    Taraba’s Governor Darius Ishaku has been staying in Abuja for close to two months now, because he is receiving adequate medical treatment for a domestic accident.

    His spokesman Bala Dan Abu, a senior special assistant, gave this information Thursday night in a reaction to calls for his impeachment for abandoning Jalingo, the capital of the state.

    Abu did not elaborate on the nature of the domestic accident the governor suffered, but said the governor is recuperating.

    Abu, a former magazine editor and veteran journalist, dismissed calls for the impeachment of Ishaku, who has stayed out of the state since December.

    He said Ishaku’s continued stay in Abuja does not in any way constitute an impeachable offence.

    He described those calling for the governor’s impeachment as unpatriotic people, who were only bent on promoting “inanities and outright falsehood.”

    “We urge the good people of Taraba, their friends and admirers in and outside the state to ignore the campaign of falsehood being orchestrated by some people.

    “His Excellency is desirous to return to the state and will do so when he has sufficiently recovered.”

    According to Abu, the governor’s absence had not affected the state in any negative way.

    “No aspect of governmental activities has suffered a setback as a result.

    “All government projects are going on smoothly and government has continued to meet its obligations to contractors while progress are being monitored by appropriate government ministries and officials,” Abu added.

    He further explained that the 2020 budget was being implemented with vigour while salaries of workers, pensions and gratuities are also being paid promptly.

    “It is therefore wrong and misleading to suggest that the Governor’s absence has affected morale of civil servants and governance in the state”.

    According to him, it was wrong to claim that the governor had breached Section 190 of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) by not transmitting power to his Deputy.

    “The said section of the Constitution 190(2) speaks of transmission of power only when the Governor proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.

    “In this case, the Governor is not on vacation and he is not unable to discharge the duties of his office. He has been conducting his official duties diligently.”

    “Government activities are not at a standstill. Governor Ishaku has not breached any part of the Constitution.

    “He remains focused and irrevocably committed to peace and the socio-economic development of Taraba State,” Abu added.

    He advised those claiming that governance was at a standstill in Taraba to visit the state and verify.

  • Taraba rejects FG’s ranching scheme

    Taraba rejects FG’s ranching scheme

    Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state has rejected the ranching scheme initiated by the federal government.

    The governor has stated unequivocally, that Taraba will not key into any programme that would be carried out by the federal government for herdsmen.

    He said already, he has amicably tackled the clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state, through the instrumentality of a law prohibiting open grazing.

    He said he had noticed that the farmers/herders crisis, which was often bloody, was because of three things: cows, grasses and farm-crops. So, he tackled the menace by enacting a law called ‘Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.’

    The law, he said, admits ranching but prohibits open grazing and cattle rustling. “What this means is that herders now have to restrict the movement of their cattle so that they don’t stray into farms and munch on crops. It had been practiced in Gembu, Sardauna and it is been replicated in other councils,” he said.

    The governor insisted that using a template of peace, with the anti-open grazing law in place, he has been able to bring the warring cattle herders and crop farmers together to nurture a symbiotic relationship.

    Recall that the governor had earlier opposed Cattle Colony and Ruga which were proposed but later suspended by the federal government.

    “I have submitted a request to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for us (Taraba) to be given a loan for us to do the ranching, but the CBN has refused to approve it, for reasons I don’t know.

    “Otherwise, I would have showcased what ranching is all about in Taraba state. It is the best form of practice in modern days, if indeed you are talking about cattle, grasses and grazing.

    “But I don’t think they (federal government) are talking about cattle; I don’t agree that they are talking about grasses. They are talking of something else: colonisation,” he said.

    Also Speaking, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, said “I am surprised that the federal government is still talking about ranching in states when Taraba is already practicing ranching.

    “The constitution gives governors authority over lands in their states. Now, Taraba does not have any land to give the federal government for livestock project or any programme for herdsmen.

    “We have a law as a solution to farmers/herders crisis, and our ranching in the state is moving on gradually and doing successfully well.”

    The youths in Taraba state have described the federal scheme on herders as “a threat to tribes in the state and the nation at large,” adding that Fulani herdsmen troubling the state were aliens tied with a ulterior motive to grab the lands of the original inhabitants.

  • FG ready to demarcate Benue, Taraba boundary

     

    The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to demarcate the Boundary between Benue and Taraba State before mid-year in 2020.

    The decision is part of measures to restore lasting peace to the State which has been enmeshed in Boundary disputes that have led to several deaths and destruction of properties for over a decade.

    The Acting Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Surv. Adamu Adaji made this known on Thursday at a meeting of the Joint Officials on Benue/Taraba inter-State Boundary in Abuja, the Nation’s capital.

    Adaji stated that demarcation exercise is essential for Administrative purposes and as such should not be considered as a gulf wall between the sister states which shared common cultural and historic background.

    According to him, the lingering Boundary problems between the two states dates back to 1976 when the Gongola State was created and Wukari Division which is made up of Wukari, Takum and Donga, were carved out of Benue State and merged with Sardauna and Adamawa province has helped to nurture acrimony between the states.

    “Several attempts made by the Government at demarcating the Boundary were rejected and every efforts made by the Commission to lay Boundary pillars were thwarted by the communities, stressing that this time around the present administration at both Federal and State levels are committed and determined to bring the impasse to a permanent end”

    He urged both sides of the Administrative divide to buy-in into the demarcation exercise maintaining that the exercise was a bridge to further cement the cordial relationship between the communities.

    Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Taraba state, Mr. Haruna Manu had described the resolve by the Federal Government to demarcate the boundary as a “golden opportunity” as the exercise would ensure that both states enjoy relative peace that have eluded them for some time.

    According to him, “there is no any better time than now for the sister states to demarcate the boundaries”.

    “The issue of Boundary crisis between these two states have been lingering and has largely been because of lack of understanding, if we are able to restore peace through the demarcation, posterity will judge us well” he added.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu lamented that the demarcation plan was coming shortly after the recent Tiv/Jukun boundary crisis.

    He therefore emphasized the need for advocacy and sensitization to enlighten the people on the importance of the demarcation exercise, noting that “boundary is not a dividing wall between Benue and Taraba States, neither is it geared towards punishing anybody but that it is merely for administrative convenience”

    Both Deputy Governors solicited the acceptance and cooperation of the communities and that they should see it as a conduit pipe for peaceful coexistence and a means for socio-economic advancement.

    The Communique issued at the end of the meeting resolved the following;

    That the NBC shall make available a comprehensive map of the 1996 fieldwork based on the 1923/24 description of the two states for study.

    It also stated that the NBC and the Surveyor-General of the two states shall come to Abuja to authenticate the map and collect copies for the states between 16th – 18th December, 2019.

    It further stated that the two states shall study the map and interface bilaterally on areas for considerations in the spirit of togetherness and reportto the NBC not later than the end of January 2020 and that the National Boundary Commission shall thereafter convey another Joint meeting of officials at a date to be decided.

  • Ex-Taraba Speaker opens up on resignation saga, relationship with Gov Ishaku

    Former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Peter Abel Diah who resigned on Sunday night, has revealed he took the decision in the interest of the state.

    He spoke in a statement, in which he congratulated his successor, Joseph Albasu Alkinjoh and all the newly elected principal officers of the Assembly.

    He also thanked Governor Darius Ishaku for the good working relationship they had when he served as the House of Assembly Speaker.

    Diah’s statement was signed by his Chief of Staff, Evang. Philip Munlip.

    “Hon. Peter Abel Diah heartily congratulates the new Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Albasu Kunini and the Principal Officers on their election and inauguration.

    “He further wishes to express his profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Taraba State Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku for the good working relations they had while he served as Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    “Hon Peter Abel Diah also wishes to appreciate all the members of the Taraba State House of Assembly who resolutely stood by him during his trying period and to Tarabans in general, for their massive show of love and support via the many phone calls and text messages.

    “He remains committed to the peaceful coexistence of Taraba State and, by his resignation, has accordingly placed the interest of Taraba State above anything else,” the former Speaker said.

    The new Speaker, Joseph Albasu Alkinjoh, told reporters he will carry all colleagues along, including the former Speaker and Charles Maijankai who resigned as Majority Leader.

    He said the Assembly will make good legislations for good governance, in the interest of the people and state.

    Governor Darius Ishaku hailed the new Speaker for reuniting members of the State Assembly and as well reuniting the legislature with the executive arm of government.

    Fielding questions from journalists, Ishaku said he will give the lawmakers his maximum cooperation required of him as the chief executive of the state.

  • BREAKING: New Speaker emerges in Taraba House of Assembly

    The Taraba State House of Assembly on Monday, elected Joseph Kunini as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

    The election followed the resignation of the former speaker, Mr Peter Abel Diah and his deputy, Alh Muhammad Gwampo from the positions.

    The assembly, which convened on Monday morning, elected an impeached deputy speaker, Gwampo as Speaker pro tempo who chaired the election.

    Kunini was nominated by Mr Bonzana Kizito (PDP- Zing) constituency, and he was seconded by Mr Ammed Jedua of Gembu constituency.

    His election was unanimous with 16 of the 24 members present at the sitting.

    In his remarks, Kunini pledged to be just and equitable in carrying out his functions.

    “This is a house of justice and equity. Taraba should be greater than any individual and we must work hard to take the state to greater heights. I will work to champion this, “ he said.

    He promised that the house would work as a team and partner with the executive to make the state a greater place.

    “I will run an open door Parliament where even the minority will have a say.

    “Thank you for this trust. I assure you that it will be used as a medium to serve God and humanity. Thank you for this privilege”, he said.

    Kunini, who represents Lau constituency was a third-term member of the House.

    The House also nominated Mr Douglas Ndatse as the Majority leader of the House to replace the new speaker who occupied the position before now.

  • Taraba Assembly Speaker resigns

    The Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Peter Abel Diah, has resigned his position. This follows weeks of political intrigues in the state.

    The Speaker confirmed his resignation on Sunday, citing personal reasons.

    It was learnt that Diah had, until Sunday morning, been in control of 15 members, against Governor Darius Ishaku’s nine.

    Multiple sources in the Taraba Government House as saying that N20m was paid to a lawmaker on Sunday to make up the number of 11 PDP lawmakers and that five APC members of the House were also lobbied to sign the impeachment of Mr. Diah.

    Abel got into problem with Governor Ishaku following the removal of the erstwhile Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Gwampo.

  • Taraba records 100 kidnappings in 9 months

    Taraba records 100 kidnappings in 9 months

    Gov.Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Thursday, said that the state recorded over 100 cases of kidnapping between January and September.

    Ishaku disclosed this in Jalingo at a one-day training for the conduct of “Operation Ayem-Akpatuma II“ by the 3 Division,Nigerian Army, Jos.

    The governor said that 30 kidnappings were recorded in September alone, adding that victims of kidnapping in the state lost between N200 and N250 million to kidnappers.

    The governor said that the state government had provided 26 motorcycles and two Hilux vans to support the effort the Federal Government in fighting crime in the state.

    Ishaku said he was confident that the military would tackle the challenge and restore normalcy to crisis areas.

    Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Jos, said that the training was to engender cooperation among security agencies and ensure success of the operation.

    Angbazo, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Briggs Daniel, said that during the operation, criminal elements would be confronted, headlong.

    He commended the governor for his support toward achieving the objective of the operation.

    Angbazo said that the operation was launched in Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states simultaneously, to flush out criminals and halt violence of all kinds.

  • Taraba police killing: DHQ finally sanctions army officer, ASP, three others

    The Board of Inquiry set up by the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, put together at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari has recommended sanctions for five personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police over the killing of three policemen and one civilian in Ibi, Taraba State, on August 6.

    The board, in a statement by the DHQ on Tuesday, identified the officers to face disciplinary sanctions to include; Captain Tijani Balarabe, Sergeant Ibrahim Mohammed, Corporal Bartholomew Obanye of the Ibi Police Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Aondoona Iorbee, and Inspector Aliyu Dadje.

    The panel said the officers must be taken through “necessary disciplinary measures.”

    It was also recommended that further investigation be conducted on Hamisu Bala, the Taraba kidnap kingpin, for gunrunning.

    Recall that the killing provoked national outrage, especially with the manner in which the policemen and a civilian on national assignment were brutally gunned down even after identifying themselves to the soldiers manning the checkpoints at Ibi-Jalingo Road in Taraba State. It had also triggered a rift between the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army.

    The rift had, indeed, run through the panel deliberations, as both the army and the police stuck to their different positions on the incident and insisted on appropriate sanctions.

    Intelligence agencies, in the course of the work of the panel, established 190 phone exchanges between the kidnap suspect, Wadume, and Captain Tijani Balarabe, the officer in charge of the army team at the Ibi-Wukari Road checkpoint and who actually ordered the shooting of the policemen and the civilian involved.

    The release of Wadume by Captain Balarabe before his re-arrest by the police and the telephone conversations between them and a Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) in Jalingo substantially established a strong connection between the duo and the culpability of the army officer and other soldiers involved.

    Wadume had before the panel admitted involvement in gunrunning, especially high calibre automatic weapons, notably AK 47 rifles. This raises another poser with regard to the interaction between security agencies and criminal gangs in Nigeria and the challenge it poses to national security.