Aisha Alhassan and my questions for the judiciary
As 2015 comes to an end, many people have several wishes, hopes and aspirations, and many of them are personal. But I have one desire only and that is to see a Change in my home state, Taraba. Things are so bad in the state that it will indeed take a miracle worker to […]
As 2015 comes to an end, many people have several wishes, hopes and aspirations, and many of them are personal. But I have one desire only and that is to see a Change in my home state, Taraba.
Things are so bad in the state that it will indeed take a miracle worker to salvage it. From immense poverty to insecurity, bad governance, constant conflicts among others. Each time I dwell on the state of affairs, I just wonder how we got it so bad.
During the last election, I went out to cast my vote but I didn’t expect much because past events in the state have shown me that my vote is of little or no use, as only the "annointed" could get the position.
I voted for the All Progressive Congress candidate, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, popularly known as Maman Taraba, because I had followed her campaign train and her growth. I knew that with her at the helm of affairs, Tarabans were in for a good deal. But then, she was nobody’s annointed candidate,so Hope was my only Hope.
I prayed that for once the godfather would be demystified and the peoples choice would emerge as winner of the election, but as usual, that was not to be. Despite her popularity and the acceptance she got from all parts of the state, she was shortchanged and robbed of victory by greater powers.
After the election, I gave up hope but on Saturday, November 8, the Taraba State governorship tribunal rekindled my belief in the judiciary, by nullifying the election of the present governor, Darius Ishaku and returning Hajia Aisha Alhassan as the duly elected governor of the state.
The judges were unanimous in their ruling that Darius Ishaku of the PDP was not sponsored by any political party to run in the election as required by law.
It therefore ordered that the APC candidate be sworn in as governor, having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the election.
My joy and that of many Tarabans knew no bounds. We need and desire change.
Taraba cannot continue to be a footstool for a few individuals; the people have a right to good governance and that was what the tribunal gave us; a chance to good governance.
Now, I have been waiting for the Appeal Court to give it’s ruling on the appeal filed by the governor; and am wondering if it will be the New Year gift to me and other Tarabans.
Will the judges further cement my belief in the judiciary by upholding the tribunal judgment which was clear, concise and devoid of any form of ambiguity?
Will the learned judges rekindle the hope of the common Taraban in good governance? Will they through their judgment finally put a stop to impunity by political parties and entrench internal democracy? These are my questions as we enter the new year.
Christian Dodo wrote from Jalingo.
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