Supreme Court victory: Ishaku’s triumphant entry shutdown activities in Taraba

Government and commercial activities were on Thursday grounded in Taraba as celebrations marked the governor’s triumphant entry into the state after Supreme Court victory in Abuja.

Governor Darius Ishaku

A five-man panel of justices had last week dismissed the petition of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the last election in the state, Sen. Aisha Jummai Alhassan for lack of merit and affirmed the election of governor Darius Dickson Ishaku as the duly elected governor of the state.

The state government had on Wednesday declared Thursday work free day to allow people of the state to come out and welcome the governor. Schools, banks and government offices remained closed to mark the day.

As early as 10am, thousands of people thronged the Jolly Nyame Stadium Jalingo, venue of the reception and waited patiently till governor staged a triumphant entry at about 2:00pm.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Jolly Nyame stadium, governor Ishaku who described the February 11 Supreme Court ruling as the best moment of his life, said the judgement was victory for Nigeria’s democracy and Tarabans who overwhelmingly voted him to office.

“The affirmation of the mandate you gave me by the Supreme Court marks the true beginning of my administration, I will no longer be distracted in discharging my duties. I want to commend all Tarabans for their support and prayers through out the trying period.

It’s now time to provide good governance to the people of Taraba. I called on all to support me in the days ahead to rescue Taraba and make it great,” he said.

The governor extended olive branch to the opposition All Progressive Congress in the state to cooperate with him to move Taraba forward and make envious of many and not a theatre of war as the state is known for.

“The era of politicking is over, I therefore call on those in opposition to join hands with my administration to transform Taraba,” he appealed.

He warned those who would want to cause trouble and distract his administration to drop their plans as he would crush anyone who would like to sabotage his efforts in bringing peace and development in the state.