Jukuns pass no confidence vote on Ishaku

Apex socio-cultural and political organisation of the Jukun people, Jukun Development Association of Nigeria (JDAN), has passed a vote of no confidence on the governor of Taraba state, Darius Ishaku, for his inability to address the raging crisis between his kinsmen and some Tiv militia group ravaging the southern part of the state.

The association said the vote of no confidence became imperative following several failed efforts to get the attention of the governor to address the renewed and protracted insecurity in the state, especially southern Taraba where several hundreds have been killed, kidnapped and properties worth millions of naira destroyed for the past five years.

Also, the JDAN condemned the governor for running away from his people who voted massively for him twice to become governor.

The association called on the governor to emulate his predecessor, late Governor Danbaba Suntai and visit southern Taraba to see things for himself.

It insisted that if the governor fails, they will ask him to resign or the Taraba state House of Assembly should commence immediate impeachment proceedings against him.

According to the group, while they are taking necessary steps to ensure that peace returns to Taraba state especially in the southern part, added that they are disappointed they voted someone not protecting and defending the image of the Jukun people.

In a statement issued after a meeting of the executive of the association and signed by its National President, Chief Bako Benjamin and general secretary respectively, the group said the vote of no confidence became necessary because the governor is missing from his duty post and has abandoned his people and state for a very long time .

The association alleged that Jukun people saw their son, the governor in southern Taraba last on February 23, when he cast his vote and was declared winner.

“That was the last time Jukun people saw him despite unprecedented killings, kidnappings and destruction of properties that is still ongoing in southern part of the state which is his homeland,” the association added.

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They observed that the governor was even conspicuously absent when a first class royal father, who played a pivotal role in his election and re-election died sometimes last year.

They said the vote of no confidence has become necessary in order to call the attention of the nation and the world to the carnage that is taking place in Jukun without government’s presence.

“Jukun people were doing very fine with their small subsistence economy and sleeping well with our eyes closed before the coming of this governor,” the statement said.

The association said even though Goov. Ishaku is not a governor for the Jukun people alone, it added that the seeming silence over the crisis ravaging his homeland and daily kidnappings ongoing in the state capital, Jalingo, since he became governor was worrisome.

“His coming to power has not only impoverished the Jukun people, but has exposed us to ridicule as a people who are incapable of governing Taraba state well,” the association lamented.

The association also said that Donga Local Government area has become the nation’s largest open air prison as its inhabitants cannot move one kilometer outside the town because of kidnappers and Tiv militias that capture and kill their captives daily.

“Wukari and Takum is constantly under gun fire from some Tiv militia group to the extent that Jukun people are wondering if the governor is not supporting the carnage against them.

“This is because he has been unable to provide security for the people,” the association said.