Haba! Why would this happen in Taraba?
This is because apart from Nigeria’s Constitutional provisions that make it a must for a governor to be just, fair and equitable in his appointments, policies and distribution of projects, even the Holy Bible strongly condemns injustice. But it surprises one that not a single Christian leader has come out to speak against Governor Danbaba’s […]
This is because apart from Nigeria’s Constitutional provisions that make it a must for a governor to be just, fair and equitable in his appointments, policies and distribution of projects, even the Holy Bible strongly condemns injustice. But it surprises one that not a single Christian leader has come out to speak against Governor Danbaba’s selective and preferential appointments of Christians over and above our Muslim brothers in the state, the same set of people who laboured without recourse to religious considerations to return him a second time as governor. Surely, we Christians alone would never have returned Danbaba as governor without the massive support we got from the Muslims.
At this point it is instructive to recall the events leading to Gov Danbaba Suntai’s emergence as Taraba State governor in the elections of 2011 by presenting the following facts, which I painstakingly gathered, for the reading public and also for the judgement of posterity:
During the PDP primary elections, a total of 694 delegates voted, out of which 492 were Muslims and the remaining 202, Christians. The two Muslim aspirants who contested against Danbaba, Senator A. A. Ibrahim and Ibrahim Tumba got 25 and 40 votes respectively (65 votes total) while Danbaba alone got 600 votes. Even if all the 65 votes secured by his opponents were given by Muslims, a total of 427 out of 600 votes that Danbaba got came from Muslim delegate, representing about 71% of the votes.
Secondly, of the sixteen (16) local government campaign coordinators who were personally handpicked by Governor Danbaba himself, ten are Muslims. They include those from Takum, Donga, Gassol, Jalingo, Ibbi, Lau, Ardo Kola, Karim Lamido, Bali, and Gashaka Local Governments. The remaining six from Wukari, Kurmi, Sardauna, Yorro, Zing and Ussa Local Governments were Christians. Thus, statistically, 62% of Governor Danbaba’s Local Government coordinators are Muslims.
Thirdly, during Danbaba’s state wide tour for general elections, his state campaign/tour committee comprising eminent PDP members was equally split between adherents of the two main religions, Islam and Christianity. This is in addition to the overwhelming show of loyalty and support that stakeholders and party members exhibited in all the units, wards and local governments of the state. The records are not hidden.
Finally, the loyal PDP party members who were saddled with the most vital and sensitive job of being Gov Danbaba Suntai’s Returning Officers/Agents in all the 16 Local Government Areas of the State were mostly Muslims. Records show that of the sixteen local government agents, ten (10) of them were Muslims. These people kept vigil and defied sleep, hunger and fatigue to protect the same votes that brought Danbaba to power as governor.
Yet despite the overwhelming show of solidarity and brotherly love shown by our Muslim brothers to Governor Danbaba, which clearly surpassed religious differences, they have not been treated fairly in the appointments so far made by His Excellency.
Of the over Eighty (83) appointments made so far (commissioners, special advisers, special assistants, SSG, HOS, AG, House of Assembly leadership, Federal Appointments, board chairmen and LG chairmen), only twenty (20) of insignificant positions were given to our Muslim brothers. That is 76% juicy positions for Christians! Haba!
How can one rationalise this lopsided, unfair and potentially dangerous treatment? Are our Christian leaders too blind (or too comfortable) to see that this dangerous precedence set by His Excellency is pregnant with a lot of repercussions in the immediate and future relationships between Christians and Muslims in Taraba State?
May I at this point stress that as an advocate of justice, equity, fair play and peace, it will amount to hypocrisy and double standard on my part if I kept quite despite this glaring unfair treatment.
I (and other silent fair minded Taraba Christians) call on His Excellency to treat all Tarabians justly, fairly and equitably; irrespective of tribe or creed. The Bible teaches us to “Do unto others whatever you would like to have them do for you” (Mathew 7:12). Also, we are enjoined to “learn to be good, seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widows cause,” (Isaiah 1:17). With these teachings from the Holy Bible, I find it imperative to make a case for our Muslim brothers, that they should be accorded their fair share of appointments in the state as this will further cement the long standing peaceful co- existence we have been enjoying.
In this period of hardships when no serious developmental activities are taking place in the state to engage our people or enhance their welfare and well being, surely we cannot afford to injure the sensibilities of our religious neighbours, most of whom we share blood relationships with, in spite of differences in faith.
I pray that the Good Lord will bear me witness that One Christian has spoken out!
Jacob wrote from 16, Hospital Road, Wukari