Jubilation in Taraba as Supreme Court upholds Ishaku’s election

…APC in Taraba accept verdict

Following the ruling of the Supreme Court which uphold the election of Governor Darius Ishaku, who was elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), jubilation on Thursday greeted the ruling of the Court.

Governor Darius Ishaku

As the news filtered in at about 2:05pm that the Supreme Court affirm the election of Governor Darius Ishaku, celebration broke out in Jalingo, Takum and Wukari.

A long motorcade mounted with speakers singing “Taraba Sai Darius,” DDI no shaking” Masu gudu su gudu (Those running should run) rented the air even as the motorcade blocked major streets in Jalingo in celebration.

Crowd of supporters kept swelling the streets of Jalingo as the news spread around Jalingo the state capital and the governor’s home town Takum. The story was the same in Zing, Kurmi, Sardauna and Donga local government areas.

Reacting to the ruling, Chief Press Secretary to the governor Mr. Hassan Mijinyawa hailed the judgment describing it as victory for the people. He noted that the judgment was a confirmation of the people’s wish and mandate they gave the governor.

He called on the supporters of the governor to be joyous, but moderate in their celebration so as not to cause security breach in the state.

Mijinyawa called on the opposition in the state not to give up hope in democracy but persevere and wait for God’s time. He also urged them to join hands with the governor to move the state forward.

Former Commissioner for Information and strategy in the state, Emmanuel Bello in his reaction said the victory is an indication that the Supreme Court has the interest of the country at heart.

He enjoined governor Ishaku to embrace all as a father and get everyone’s input in moving the state forward. “Ishaku must work towards uniting the people of Taraba to achieve the goals of the rescue mission,” he said.

APC chairman in Taraba Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika commenting on the ruling said they have accepted the verdict of the apex court of the land in good faith, but they will still remain in APC despite the lost at the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court has a final say in this matter and we accept the verdict. I thank all who in one way or the other assist us in the judicial journey. Our supporters should be calm and law abiding,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kyukundu while reacting to the ruling of the Supreme Court urged governor Ishaku to make real his campaign promises now that election litigations are over and bring peace and development to the state.

He called on the people of Taraba irrespective of party and religious differences to join hands with the governor to develop the state which has not known peace for over two years now.