Desist from Distracting the Leadership of the State – Deputy Gov. Manu Warns
The Taraba State deputy governor, Engr. Haruna Manu has noted with dismay the smear campaign being orchestrated, especially in the social media by some mischievous persons that Governor Darius Ishaku should handover to him as acting governor.
This was disclosed in a Press Statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Lawal Sani Kona.
According to the PS, Deputy Governor Manu has dissociated himself from such agitators and condemned their actions in the strongest possible terms.
The Statement noted that Engr. Manu was nominated by Governor Darius Ishaku to serve as his deputy governor in 2015 of which he served with all sense of humility and loyalty.
“Governor Ishaku also in his own generosity of spirit deemed it convenient to carry Engr. Manu along into the second term in 2019.”
“It is therefore, reasonably clear to all that deputy governor Manu enjoys the confidence of his boss and has followed through as a loyal subordinate which many adversaries of the administration are not happy with.”
“The unwarranted call by these mischief-makers is no doubt a ploy to cause disaffection within the administration in order to score cheap political goal. Their plans to instigate mistrust within the polity will definitely fail.”
“His Excellency, Governor Darius Ishaku has been discharging the responsibilities of his office creditably well.”
“Just yesterday, he hosted the inaugural sensitization meeting of the Mambilla hydroelectric power project and was also recently at the World Bank regional office where he sought the Bank’s assistance in the areas of development projects and programmes for Taraba State.”
“The strides recorded by the Ishaku administration are enormous.”
“These appreciable developments of various types across different sectors in the state are dividends of democracy that Tarabans will continue to enjoy under the rescue mission of Governor Darius Ishaku.”
“Rabble-rousers must therefore desist from attempting to distract the leadership or inflame the emotions of the good people of Taraba state.”
How Taraba Deputy Governor Reacted to the Declaration by the Supreme Court
The deputy governor of Taraba state, His Excellency, Engr. Haruna Manu has reacted to the declaration of the Supreme Court which affirmed that the PDP and its candidate, Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku legitimately won the 9th March 2019 governorship election held in Taraba state.
Responding to the declaration by the Supreme Court, the deputy governor said that today’s victory is a testament that they were not only validly elected but that also they have the mandate of the people to govern and change their lives for the better.
“Today’s victory at the Supreme Court is a testament that we were not only validly elected but we have the mandate of our people to govern and change their lives for the better.”
“This judgement has once again reaffirmed the validity of the 2019 Governorship election which was obviously won by our amiable Governor and our great party PDP.”
Engr. Manu call on all citizens of the state to join hands with the indefatigable Governor Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku in his unrelenting efforts towards moving Taraba State to greater heights.
A communique issued at the end of the 8th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) Held in Maiduguri, Borno State. Saturday, 9th- September, 2023.
The Northeast Governors’ Forum (NEGF), comprising the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe with the Governors of Gombe and Taraba represented by the Deputy Governors, held its 8th meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State. It expressed delight at the growing strength of the cooperation, collaboration, and cordial relationship between the Governors of the 6 States of the region. The Forum reiterated its commitment to foster a common ground and pursue a collective course for the benefit of the region.
After exhaustive deliberations, the Forum resolved and presented the following Communique:
1. The Forum appreciated the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima for gracing the opening ceremony of the 8th meeting of the NEGF and the Government and People of Borno State for hosting the event.
2. While acknowledging the relative success recorded against insurgency, a new dimension of growing banditry is added to worsen the security situation in the subregion. As a result of the concerted efforts of the Military to flush bandits from the other parts of the country, the bandits are now moving towards the Northeast. The case is becoming worse in Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba, places hitherto without banditry. The Forum calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address this issue.
3. The Forum is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, sheltering them and covering them to commit crimes within the subregion. The Forum unanimously resolved to decisively deal with any Traditional ruler or community leader that is found to be harboring or conniving with the bandits.
4. The proliferation of mining in the region is becoming a problem. This includes both legal and illegal mining. It noted The Forum reiterated its call for strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act.
5. The Forum noted with great concern that Climate Change and environmental degradation is a major issues affecting the subregion. The issue of flooding that had affected the States leading to the destruction of properties and loss of livelihoods is increasing the sufferings of the people. This has been compounded by the silting of our rivers as well as deforestation brought about by the massive charcoal business. There is a need for the Federal Government’s intervention in the area of desilting the rivers. Furthermore, there is a need for effective control of deforestation with stern regulation to local authorities against compromise to granting approvals for such businesses. The Forum has resolved to key into the Global Initiative of Carbon Credi, the Great Green Wall, and other initiatives that will mitigate the devasting impact of climate change in the subregion.
6. The Forum noted with dismay the seeming neglect of road and railway infrastructure especially along the economic corridors that link the Northeast subregion to the rest of the country. The Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri are in a deplorable State. Equally worse is the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri which has been destroyed. The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor. This is a major route for regional trade and is very important for integration, peace-building, and improving national unity.
7. The Forum agreed that all the States within the subregion are to domesticate the Education Law 2022, as recommended by the Northeast Education Council earlier constituted by the Forum.
8. The Forum charges the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be more proactive with the issues of development in the sub-region. Its intervention should be well prioritized in the short, medium, and long term to take care of the sustainable development needs of the people within the subregion.
9. The forum resolved to promote subregional commerce among member States. It further agreed to resuscitate the northeast trade fair to be held in Bauchi in January 2024.
10. The Forum resolved to hold the 9th Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State between Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th – November 2023.
– Signed:
Professor Babagana Umaru Zulum, CON, mni, FNSE