Ministerial Slot: Taraba Central Marginalised Since 1999 – APC Group

The Taraba Central Zone Youth Coalition for Peace, Justice and Social Development, has decried the continued marginalization of Taraba Central senatorial zone of Taraba State by successive governments in the appointment of Ministers from the State since the advent of democracy in 1999.

The leader of the group, Alhaji Bakari Dorofi, who expressed concern over the trend at an interaction with journalists, noted that of the eleven Ministers so far appointed from Taraba State since 1999, seven were from the Southern senatorial district, four were from the Northern senatorial district while the Central senatorial zone has produced none so far.

Consequently, the Kenaf and Other Natural Fibre Plants Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has recommended a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Director, Former Parliamentarians, North-East of the defunct Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. Babangida Nguroje, for consideration as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Hon. Nguroje hails form Taraba Central senatorial district of the State.

The call was contained in a letter addressed to President Tinubu dated June 9, 2023 and signed by the association’s national president, Hassan Abubakar, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abuja at the weekend.

The letter described the former chairman, Governing Council of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) as an honest politician with requisite experience that will contribute immensely to the Nigeria of our dream with President Tinubu in the driver’s seat.

Dorofi on his part insisted that the trend of marginalisation smirks off gross injustice, adding that the Central Zone remains the political nerve centre of the APC in Taraba State and has consistently delivered votes to the party.

According to him, “Gentlemen, let me quickly draw your attention to a very sad development that has been going on since the return to Democracy in 1999. We have Eleven Ministers from Taraba since 1999 till date and Seven of them are from the Southern Zone. They are . Gen. T.Y. Danjuma from Takum LG, Alh. Idiris Waziri from Ibi LG, Mrs Salomi Jankada from Donga LG, Mr. Obadia Ando from Takum LG, Mr Alhasan Zaku from Ibi LG, Mr. Joel Danlami Ikenya from Wukari LG and Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku from Takum LG.

“We also have Four Ministers from the Northern Zone and they are Dr. Muhammed Shatta from Karim Lamido LG, the late Sen Aisha Jummai Alhassan from Jalingo LG, Eng. Sale Mamman from Jalingo LG and Hon Muazu Jaji Sambo from Jalingo LG.

“Meanwhile, we don’t have a single minister from the Central Zone that has become the home of APC in Taraba State. Let me remind you that bulk of votes for the APC in Taraba at both state and federal elections come from Taraba Central Zone.

“Let me quickly remind us also that the central zone was the first geopolitical zone in the state to identify with the All Progressives Congress APC and has since remained the area where APC garners more votes for all presidential elections since 2015.

“Going by analysis, the Central Zone has produced APC Senator for two terms, (Sen. Abubakar Yusuf) currently, we are the only zone in the state that have produced 4 APC members at the State House of Assembly, figures dont lie, we gave the highest votes during the recent presidential election from the state,” he stated.

The APC chieftain added that, “The people have reasons why they vote, if their aspirations are not met, they may be tired of coming out to cast their votes in coming elections. It is our sincere hope and prayer that our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will break this spell and duly reward this Zone by considering one of our sons for Ministerial slot in the interest of justice and fairness.”