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Tag: Taraba

  • INEC loses Taraba REC

    INEC loses Taraba REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the death of its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Taraba, Alhaji Baba Yusuf.

    A statement by Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriarian-Anthony, on Sunday in Abuja said Yusuf died on Saturday at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno.

    Oriarian-Anthony described the death as a great loss to the commission, adding that Yusuf would be buried on Sunday in Maiduguri.

    She said the Commission would be represented at the funeral by a delegation of both the National and Resident Electoral Commissioners.

    ”Yusuf was one of the most experienced RECs in the Commission, having been appointed in 2010.

    “He had served as REC in Benue and Adamawa States. His experience has been invaluable to the Commission over the years.”

    She prayed that God grant the deseased eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.

  • Tribunal upholds Ishaku’s election as Taraba governor

    Tribunal upholds Ishaku’s election as Taraba governor

    The Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed the petition by Abubakar Danladi of the All Progressive Party (APC) challenging the re-election of Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 9, 2019 governorship election.

    A three-man panel led by Justice M.O. Adewara unanimously held that the petitioners failed to prove their claims that the marred by irregularities and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    Justice Adewara, who read the lead judgment, also held that since a Federal High Court in the state, gave a judgment on March 6, 2019, in suit: FHC/JAL/CS/01/2019, disqualifying Danladi from contesting the election, he could not be said to be a candidate in the election.

    The tribunal also held that since judgment was upheld up to the Supreme Court, it meant that APC had no valid candidate in the election, did not participate in the election and was not qualified, along with Danladi, to have presented a petition before the tribunal.

    The tribunal further held, that even if the petition was to be considered on the merit, the petition failed to lead sufficient evidence to establish their claims that Ishaku was not validly elected by majority of lawful votes and that the election was marred by irregularities, non-compliance and corrupt practices.

    Details shortly…

  • Nigeria likely to face famine if Taraba crisis persists – CAN warns

    Pastor Isaiah Jirapye, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba chapter, has said that food crisis was imminent if the Tiv/Jukun communal violence was not checked.
    Jirapye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Jalingo that the tribes locked in the conflict were predominantly farmers, and regretted that the violence had made it difficult for them to visit the fields.
    The clergy, who particularly condemned the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. David Tanko by unknown gunmen along Takum-Wukari road, advised the perpetrators to repent and seek the face of the Lord.
    “It is worrisome that both Tiv and Jukun, who have been living together as brothers, will fight so dirty, killing and destroying their homes.
    “Another issue of concern is that both ethnic groups are predominantly farmers who have been forced to desert their farms due to fear of attacks.
    “The adverse effects are that this crisis will lead to food shortage and that will affect every body.
    “I am appealing to both parties to sheath their swords and embrace peace.
    “I am very sure that governments at all levels are putting everything in place to resolve the conflict amicably.
    “I also advise the killers of Rev. David Tanko, who was on a peace mission before he was shot dead, to repent and confess to God, otherwise they will face their punishment which is death.
    “God Himself said: ‘do not touch my anointed and do no harm to my Prophet’. But that is exactly what they did in a very gruesome manner.
    “So, the curse will follow them, generation upon generation, except they repent and seek the face of the Lord.
    “The Tiv and Jukun people all claim to be Christians, but their actions do not portray Christianity. This lack of tolerance is a huge embarrassment to Christianity,” he fumed.
    Jirapye commended the state government for its support to the displaced persons, and especially for the provision of facilities and security in the IDPs camp.
    He, however, urged the government to do more, especially in the area of food and medicals.
    According to him, the IDPs deserve every form of support because it is not their intention to find themselves where they are.
    “So, we are appealing to government and other well meaning citizens and organisations to do more in the area of humanitarian support to the displaced,” he added.
    The CAN chairman gave Gov. Darius Ishaku a pass mark as he attained another 100 days in office.
    He said that Ishaku’s ability to handle the many crises in the state within this period was another landmark achievement.
    Jirapye noted that crisis could bring distractions to governance, calling on the people in the state to live in peace with one another, to attract development.
    According to him, without peace, there can’t be development.
    “If you build roads and nobody can walk on them, if you build schools and hospitals and nobody is using them, what is the gain?
    “So, wherever there is no peace, development is bound to be scarce,” he said.

  • Taraba governorship tribunal adjourns for judgment

    The Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday adjourned for judgment in the petition challenging the election of Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the second term.

    The petition was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election held on March 9, 2019, Abubakar Danladi.

    On Friday, after lawyers to parties in the case adopted their final written addresses and made final submissions, tribunal Chairman, Justice M.O Adewara said judgment is reserved.

    Justice Adewara noted that the life span of the petition will terminate on September 24, 2019, the tribunal should be able to deliver its judgment before then.

    “We adjourn this petition to a date to communicated to parties,” the judge said.

    Earlier, lawyers to the respondents – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP and Ishaku – Sunday Ameh (SAN), Solomon Akuma (SAN) and Kanu Agabi (SAN) adopted their final written addresses and urged the court to dismiss the petition.

    Ameh (for INEC) after adopting his final address, prayed te court to uphold the election as announced by INEC.

    He said: “We urge the tribunal to dismiss the petition and uphold the 1st respondent declaration and return of the 3rd respondent (Ishaku) as the winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Taraba State, same, having been done in substantial compliance with Electoral Act and the Constitution.”

    Akuma (for PDP) after adopting is final address, made a brief submission, in which he faulted the petitioners’ written address, which he argued, was filed out of time.

    He also faulted the petitioners claim of over-voting, arguing that they failed to prove the allegation as required.
    Akuma noted that, rather than prove their claim by results at the polling unit level, the petitioners chose to rely on collated results as contained in the card readers.

    He said: “Over voting is a polling unit infraction, which must be proved at polling unit level. Everything must be done at the polling unit level.”

    Agabi (for Ishaku) equally prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that the reliefs sought by the petitioners could not be granted.

    He argued that it was wrong for the petitioners to, on one hand, argue that the election was marred by non-compliance and corrupt practices and on the other hand, prayed that they be declared winners on grounds of majority of lawful votes.

    Agabi said “The grounds of majority of lawful votes, claimed by the petitioners cannot avail them, because they have abandoned the petition.

    He said: “You cannot claim both grounds together. You cannot claim majority votes and also claim substantial non-compliance and corrupt practices. You cannot plea majority of lawful votes and also plead corrupt practices.”
    Agabi also argued that the petition was no longer a valid one because the first petitioner, had been disqualified by a court order.

    “There is no doubt that the first petitioner (Danladi) was disqualified by a court of law. The court made an order forbidding him holding himself out as a candidate. The court forbade his party from fielding him as its candidate.

    The court also restrained INEC from recognising him as a candidate of the second petitioner (APC),”Agabi said.

    He noted that Danladi’s lawyer had disclosed before the tribunal that the Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the High Court, which disqualified Danladi as a candidate for the election.

    Responding, Hassan Liman (SAN), who represented the second petitioner, prayed the tribunal to uphold the petition and declared his clients the winners of the election.

    Liman faulted arguments by Akuma and Agabi, arguing that the petitioners’ reliefs were presented in the alternative.

    He said “If we succeed on the first leg, that we be returned as winners, there would be no need to go to the alternative prayer. If the court did not grant the first leg of our reliefs, it can proceed to grant the alternative, which is to nullify the election.”

    On Agabi’s argument that the first petitioner had been disqualified, Liman contended that either a party or its candidate can contest the outcome of an election.

    “The petitioners have proved their case on the basis of the scores that were presented. On the face of the result presented, the APC scored 362735, while the PDP scored 520433.

    *On the strength of the evidence presented, it is glaring that over-voting was established. If the court nullifies the votes affected by over-voting, the outcome will leave APC as the winner with APC having 341553 and PDP with 322321.”

    Liman urged the tribunal to allow the petition by entering judgment for the petitioners.

  • Taraba killings will never happen again, Buratai assures

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai has declared that the recent killings of three police detectives in Ibi, Taraba state by soldiers attached to the 93 Battalion would never happen again as decisive actions would be taken against all the actors in the matter.

    The COAS, who gave the assurance while declaring open the combined second and third quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference 2019 at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, said investigations on the Taraba episode by the DHQ Joint Investigation Panel has been concluded.

    Describing the Taraba episode as unfortunate and unhealthy for cooperation and collaboration among security agencies, Buratai charged Army commanders at all levels to “adhere to the rule of engagement at all times and also respect all extant laws and fundamental human rights of citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution .”

    Buratai said: “It is imperative that we become more proactive in ensuring the discipline and professionalism of our personnel, in our dealings with other agencies of government and indeed the larger society.

    “We should all note, the Nigerian Army as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is mandated to support the civil authority and the Nigerian Police Force in internal security operations.

    “However recent occurrences have shown that there is need for more reorientation on civil military relations and interface with cooperation at the junior cadre level.

    “Unfortunately incidences such as the recent one at Ibi in Taraba state which generated intense media comments are not healthy for the smooth cooperation and operations of our security forces. Investigation of the incidence has been concluded and decisive action will be taken to ensure it never happened again.

    “Similarly the recent case of a rape of a lady by soldier in 34 Brigade and the shooting of a motorcyclist by another soldier are examples of unwarranted events which we must guide against. Nigerian Army will not condone any form of indiscipline or actions that would tarnish its good image

    “I hereby charge commander at all levels to continue to educate personnel on the need to adhere to the rule of engagement at all times and also respect all extant laws and fundamental human rights of citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution “.

    Speaking on the various military operations going on across the country, Buratai said a lot of successes have been achieved, asserting that there is however the need for officers and soldiers to be more proactive in their approaches.

    He said more equipment and manpower have been deployed in the northeast to complement the ones on ground, while the Minister of Defence Major Gen. Bashir Magashir had visited the northeast to boost the morale of troops by interacting with them.

    The COAS said: ” A major challenge that has continually faced Nigerian army is the ever growing issue of insecurity occasioned by global factors, those actions or factors could be traced to economic , social and political factors affecting almost all part of the world.

    “In our duty to curtail some of the contemporary security challenges such as banditry , kidnapping in the north west , we lunched operation Hadin Kunama 3 in the first quarter of 2019, the operation which stand through the second and the third quarter has recorded successes in covering the rampaging activities of bandits and kidnappers.

    “However, despite the successes , there are cases in Sokoto, Katsina , Kebbi and Kaduna states still occurring unfortunately , to continue to support the civil authorities , the troops employed and indeed the code man deployed has now been put into Operation Mesa,

    “We have also redefined the conduct of Operation Lafiya Dole with a new scheme of maneuver using the Super Camp concept of operation . A total of 20 Super Camp have so far been established in the Northeast and Commanders are required to key into the already circulated laid down Standard Operating Procedures and Directives .

    “The concept entails the concentration of formidable fighting forces in strong holds that have the capacity for swift mobility which requires the process to be proactive , rugged and capable of taking bold alternatives at all times to defeat the adversary by denying them freedom of action within a strong response areas or response areas as the case may be.

    “To support the Super Camp concept , we have inducted more man power and equipment into the theater and have planned to within the remaining days of the third quarter 2019 to deploy more troops towards achieving the desired end .

    The COAS pledged the loyalty of the military to the President Muhammadu Buhari and the constitution of Nigeria, asserting that the leadership of the military is determined to make the Armed Forces of Nigeria the best.

    He said ” Before I conclude we all know that the President and Commander in Chief had recently appointed Major Gen. Bashir Magashir as the new Hon Minister of Defence. I had the opportunity to brief him on the state of NA and our operations.

    “Also his first official assignment has been the visit to Northeast and the Headquarters and Command of Operation Lafiya Dole to see things for himself and interact with soldiers and officers in the frontline .

    “And I therefore on behalf of all of you pledge our loyalty and cooperation to make the Armed Forces of Nigeria the best they can be. I can assure you that the minister has good and lofty plans to transform the armed forces. I urge you to support him in this vision and plan.

    “Finally I convey our gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the Army. He has continue to demonstrate his love for the Army. The promotion of two officers is an impetus to continue to be loyal and hardworking and we shall continue to demonstrate loyality and commitment to the defence of Nigeria”.

  • Benue evacuates students from Taraba varsity after killing

    Benue evacuates students from Taraba varsity after killing

    The Benue Government announced on Wednesday that it had commenced the evacuation of Benue State students at the Federal University, Wukari in Taraba.
    The evacuation followed the closure of the university after the alleged killing of two Benue students in the institution on July 30 by people suspected to be members of the Jukun militia.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of people have been killed over the years in recurring communal clashes between ethnic Jukun and Tivs in the agricultural belt of Northern Nigeria.
    The bloody conflict has taken its toll on the two ethnic groups with many lives lost and property estimated at millions of naira destroyed.
    Speaking in a telephone interview with a NAN correspondent in Makurdi on Wednesday, the Benue Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, said the evacuation of the students was due to the closure of the university.
    He said that relevant security operatives and the government of Taraba had been notified about the evacuation.
    Ityavyar said that the Benue Government was hopeful that the Taraba Government would provide adequate security for all Benue citizens, including students residing in Taraba.
    He said the Benue Government had since started making arrangements to provide for the needs of Benue students affected by the crisis.
    “The Government of Benue State has contacted the Government of Taraba State, police commissioner, the army and other security formations in Taraba State to ensure the safety of Benue State indigenes in Taraba State.
    The commissioner appealed to Taraba indigenes schooling in Benue to remain calm, assuring that the Benue Government was on top of the situation to ensure safety for everyone.
    “There should be no panic moment of students of Taraba State origin who are schooling in Benue State. We are on top of the situation,” he stated.
    Benue and Taraba Governments have held series of meetings over the years to find a lasting solution to the crisis but the killings have not abated.

  • Lecturer, students killed as suspected militias invade Taraba Varsity

    Lecturer, students killed as suspected militias invade Taraba Varsity

    Academic activities have been put on hold at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, following an invasion by the suspected Jukun militias that led to the killing of two students from Benue and a lecturer of the institution on Tuesday.

    The killing sparked protest among Tiv students and staff of the institution.

    However, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Abubakar Kundiri, has suspended the academic activities and closed down the institution following the incident.

    The announcement was contained in a statement by the Registrar, Mr Magaji Gangumi which was released in Wukari, on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, all students are expected to leave the University premises before 12:00noon on Wednesday.

    The statement also added that the suspension of lectures and closure of the institution is till further notice.

    “The closure of the institution follows the protest by students over the kidnapping of their mates along Wukari -Katsina Ala high way on Tuesday. Therefore, students are directed to vacate the hostel and university premises on or before 12 noon,” the statement said.

    The Vice-Chancellor assured that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of both staff and students as they leave Wukari.

    He said apart from school buses, the Chairman of Ukum Local Government in neighbouring Benue State was sending 10 buses to evacuate students from that state.

    Prof Kundiri stated that security has also been reinforced from both the army and police to ensure that members of the academic community conveniently leave Wukari without any hitch.

  • Taraba: Tribunal dismisses Danladi, APC's petition against Governor Ishaku's election

    Taraba: Tribunal dismisses Danladi, APC's petition against Governor Ishaku's election

    The Taraba Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Abubakar Danladi in the March 9 governorship election in the state.
    The petition was dismissed as a result of the Supreme Court judgment on July 5, which upheld the Appeal Court judgment that disqualified Danladi on the grounds of false declaration of age.
    In his ruling, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice M.O. Adewarahe said the dismissal was necessitated by the supreme Court’s judgment which disqualified the candidacy of the APC on the grounds of false declaration of age.
    The governorship candidate of the APC, Danladi and the party had approached the tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    The petitioners claimed that the governor was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast in the election.
    They further claimed that the governor’s election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
    The petitioners further claimed that Ishaku’s election was invalid reasons of corrupt practices.
    Joined as respondent in the petition, is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    The apex court dismissed the appeal filed before it by Danladi, challenging his disqualification by the Federal High Court in Jalingo.
    A five-man Panel of the Supreme Court headed by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed, dismissed the appeal filed by Danladi for being incompetent and failing to meet the requirements of the law.
    Danladi was disqualified from contesting the 2019 Governorship election in Taraba state on March 6, 2019, by the Federal High Court, Jalingo presided over by Honourable Justice Stephen Pam.
    The court based its decision on allegations of false declaration of age by Danladi in the documents provided to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    However, on March 7, 2019, the Court of Appeal sitting in Yola stayed the execution of the judgment of the lower in favour of Mr Danladi, which enabled him to stand for the March 9, Governorship election in Taraba state.
    But the appellate Court subsequently struck out the Appeal for being incompetent.
    Danladi further appealed to the Supreme Court which affirmed the judgment of the appeal court.

  • Taraba: Five killed, houses burnt in fresh Tiv/Jukun crisis

    Taraba: Five killed, houses burnt in fresh Tiv/Jukun crisis

    Five persons were killed on Tuesday and several houses burnt in a fresh crisis between the Tiv and Jukuns in Rafinkada Village of Wukari local government area of Taraba.

    Mr. Daniel Adidas, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Council confirmed the development in a telephone interview with with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo.

    Adi alleged that gunmen in Army camouflage attacked Rafinkada and set several houses ablaze.

    The Chairman disclosed that a soldier injured in the attack is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Wukari.

    He said that the deployment of soldiers to the area has brought the situation under control.

    DSP David Missal, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, confirmed the incident, but said only one person killed

    “The report I have indicated that armed militia youth crossed from Benue State and attacked a community in Wukari LGA and one person was killed and some houses burnt”, the PPRO said.

    NAN recalls that the crisis between the Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups especially on the border villages between Benue and Taraba States has lingered since March 2019.

    The rift had claimed hundreds of lives and led to the destruction of several property worth billions of naira.

  • Buhari orders immediate end to attacks on Taraba communities

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the current attacks on the people of Kona in Taraba State, and ordered security forces to end the violence immediately and decisively.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday, warned that attacks on innocent people in the name of revenge or whatever motives, would not be tolerated by the government.

    He said: “No group of people has the right to surround innocent people and unleash murderous violence on them.”

    According to him, resorting to self-help is an invitation to anarchy which in turn will make everyone unsafe.

    The president noted that in a cycle of violence, characterised by revenge and counter-revenge, there were no winners.

    He said that in a state of permanent hostilities, people undermined not only law and order, but also their own ability to conduct their everyday businesses in peace.

    “I always wonder how people can conduct their businesses in the absence of peace and tranquility because violence ruins everything and leaves the people worse off.

    “It is difficult to build a virile nation where hate and intolerance dominate the people’s minds. It is easier to destroy than to build. People should count the economic costs of this violence to their own lives.”

    According to the President, a situation where community leaders abandon their responsibilities and allow thugs to set the agenda, it is dangerous for peace and security in the country.

    He criticised leaders “who publicly preach the virtues of peace, but privately promote hate and intolerance which ultimately culminate in violent destruction of life and property’’.