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Beyond Ishaku’s appeal court victory

By Mike Ikpechi
13 January 2016   |   3:39 am
VICTORY is sweet. A good illustration of this was the jubilation that heralded the recent judgement of the Appeal Court in Abuja on the governorship elections in Taraba State in which Justice Abdul Aboki, chairman of the five-member panel of justices, set aside the earlier ruling of the state elections tribunal, and declared Peoples Democratic…

Darius-Dickson-Ishaku

VICTORY is sweet. A good illustration of this was the jubilation that heralded the recent judgement of the Appeal Court in Abuja on the governorship elections in Taraba State in which Justice Abdul Aboki, chairman of the five-member panel of justices, set aside the earlier ruling of the state elections tribunal, and declared Peoples Democratic Party’s Darius Dickson Ishaku, an architect, as the duly elected governor of Taraba State.

The judgement cleared every doubt concerning the validity of the election of Ishaku in April 2015 after defeating the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, in a keenly-contested election.

The mood of the people was captured by Enyetere Ambituni, one of the jubilant residents, who said the judiciary has once again proven itself as the last hope of the common man and had vindicated the majority of the people of the state who overwhelmingly voted for Ishaku as their governor.

However, beyond the excitement, victory, especially in an election comes with great responsibilities. And Governor Ishaku has his work clearly cut out for him. People now expect him to fully settle down to work for the betterment and advancement of Taraba State which prides itself as ‘Nature’s gift to the Nation.’

Since governance is a continuum, people expect the Ishaku administration to take development to greater heights in Taraba. Often where opponents of those who are declared winners in an election go to court to contest the outcome, governance is often slowed down significantly. Except for payment of salaries of civil servants and public officials, little or no capital projects are embarked upon.

Again, Taraba has really not been in the news for very good reasons, following various contestations for power and desperation to control the machinery of governance in the state after the plane crash involving the former governor, Danbaba Suntai, and the two acting governors that came into office after him under controversial circumstances before Ishaku’s election into office in April 2015. Ishaku has the opportunity to change the dynamics and position of Taraba as a model state, not just in the North East, but in the whole of Nigeria.

The governor should remember that journalists, the watchdogs, and those in opposing political camps would be watching; with some praying for his government’s failure. Yet, he cannot afford to fail since he proudly talks about his faith in the Almighty God who rules in the affairs of men.

The daunting tasks before Governor Ishaku are not insurmountable. Whether in the area of security, infrastructure development, expanding health services and mitigating epidemics like Lassa fever, environment, attracting investments, boosting tourism, increasing internally generated revenue, or others, he must ensure that development is spread across the 16 local governments of the state.

As a state that is blessed with abundant tourist attractions, Taraba can earn fortunes from these if well-harnessed and packaged. States with amazing tourist attractions can focus efforts on attracting tourists even locally here in Nigeria rather than waiting for the monthly federal allocation which is dwindling by the day. Many Nigerians today hardly know their country well enough. Attracting local tourists from across Nigeria is one sure way to boost increase in internally generated revenue.

Thankfully, the state government has made concerted efforts towards improving Mambilla Tourist Centre, Gumpti Park and the game reserve in Gashaka. The governor can further explore the opportunities these provide including those of the mysterious rock formations at Kpambo and Marmara pond, Wukari.

Additionally, Governor Ishaku’s administration can partner with private sector companies like Globacom or Nigerian Breweries, towards making the Nwunyu Fishing festival in Ibi, usually held in April of each year, with activities such as canoe racing, swimming competition and cultural dances, a major festival that can be showcased to Nigeria and indeed the world.

Governor Ishaku’s administration needs to improve facilities at the state’s tertiary institutions, the Taraba State University, Jalingo and the Taraba State polytechnic. Previous governments in the state, for instance, have tried to position the university which was established in 2008 by the then governor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, under Law No. 4 of 2008, as the fastest growing university in the Northern Nigeria.

Ishaku must go further to provide easy access to university education for indigenes of the state with a view to encouraging and promoting the advancement of learning to Tarabans and humanity in general. No investments in the youth can be too much since they are the future!

One key task for the governor is reuniting members of his own party, the PDP, in Taraba State. The party is already fractured. A house divided against itself cannot stand. As the leader of the PDP in the state, he must work towards party reconciliation. Members suspended for one offence or the other should be forgiven, pardoned and recalled while everyone works together as a team for the progress of the state and in building a virile party.

Finally, the governor, his commissioners and all members of his team, and indeed other leaders in the country, must remember that they have the mandate of the people, the road is clear for them to make impact, the clock is ticking. He has recorded good strides in improving power supply in the state, using his understanding of the sector as a former minister. He has also improved water supply substantially. He is embarking on infrastructural projects. This is despite the election petition. Ishaku shoud now focus on taking Taraba to its highest heights ever.

• Ikpechi writes in from Abuja

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