Outrage over gov’s absence: Taraba govt opens up on Ishaku, slams APC

Taraba state government has said that Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still in charge of governance and fully abreast of developments in the state “even from Abuja”.


The state government warned the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and “detractors” to desist from whipping up sentiments as “Governor Ishaku has committed no impeachable offence by running the affairs of the state from Abuja”.


In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja Thursday, which was signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, the state government said that there has not been a lacuna in the state to warrant calls for the governor to be impeached.


The statement reads in part: “In the past couple of weeks, the APC in Taraba state has orchestrated a campaign of hate and acrimony against the person and the administration of His Excellency, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku, Executive Governor of Taraba state, taking advantage of the governor’s prolonged stay in Abuja, which was necessitated by an unfortunate domestic accident he had earlier suffered.

As a result, His Excellency has had to stay back in Abuja to receive medical attention.
“All government projects are going on smoothly and government has continued to meet its obligations to contractors handling its projects, while progresses are being monitored by appropriate government ministries and officials. For example, the dualisation of the Airport road in Jalingo, which comes with an overhead bridge, has started and has made steady progress; even in the absence of the governor. So also is the Mararaba- Baissa-Abong-Kan-Iyaka-Nguroje road, which is the shortest road to the Mambilla Dam Project.”
He added: “The Wukari Tsokundi road and Yoro-Pantisawa road projects have also been going on smoothly and progress reports (including pictorial evidence) are sent out constantly to the Governor. The 2020 budget bill has since been signed into law and it is being implemented with vigour, while salaries of workers, pensions and gratuities are also being paid promptly. In various parts of the state, classrooms are being constructed and others renovated; while the construction of Model Basic Education schools are currently on-going in Takum and Gembu, both in advanced stages of completion.


“What the people expected is for APC leaders to acknowledge and praise Governor Ishaku for diligently ensuring the smooth running of the affairs of the state despite his accident. Those who work closely with the governor know that he works more than 18 hours daily and are amazed at his display of energy, zeal and patriotism in the pursuit of his vision for the state.


“We urge the good people of Taraba State, their friends and admirers in and outside the state to ignore the campaign of falsehood being orchestrated by APC leaders led by Barr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, APC chairman in Taraba state. His Excellency is desirous to return to the state and will do so when he has sufficiently recovered.”

Leave a Reply