Yakubu Adamu Jalingo Wrote: People of Southern Taraba: Advice from Yakubu Adamu Jalingo The good people of Taraba South Senatorial District have held virtually all political positions (right from the days of Gongola), except the governorship of Taraba State. Governorship is a position that remained elusive to the zone, in spite of the active participation of the people in the dynamics of power- sharing in the state. This is the price of disunity. Gubernatorial power shifted from Northern Senatorial District to the Central District, which will terminate in 2015. The question is “will the political pendulum naturally swing to the Southern Senatorial District come 2015?” This is the big question and the answer is as natural as it is simple. I believe that by now individuals and groups in the Districts are thinking aloud and ahead towards the realization of the gubernatorial dream come 2015. The dream cannot be achieved without the “absolute” and “resolute” unity and cooperation of all the ethnics nationalities in the zone, some of which are disenchanted and frustrated. There are lots of ethnic groups in Taraba State (the highest in the world). Only 5 ethnic groups inhabit the Taraba South Senatorial District. Yet, the district has recorded the highest number of inter-ethnic conflicts right from Gongola days, virtually all the ethnics groups have fought each other. Thus, the five ethnics groups have become mutually suspicious of each other. As it stands, the five ethnic groups cannot speak with one voice. This is in contrast to what is obtained in Muri Emirate, where unity for their common interest abounds. The name Muri is the uniting factor. While the people of Muri think together when it comes to political interest, their counterparts in the Southern Zone think along ethnic cleavages. This is why the Southern Zone have too many inter – and intra- ethnic wars, despite their fewer number of ethnic composition. These wars or conflicts have bred so much suspicion, distrust and even xenophobia. Taraba Senatorial District is completely torn apart by chronic ethnic particularism. Most often, in their actions and words, they wished others never existed. This is a huge mistake and will not solve myriads of political problems in the zone. Let me add here that, no zone in any state of the federation can win a gubernatorial election without support from other zones. There is a strong Muslim population in the Southern Zone with strong connection and support elsewhere. It will be a very serious mistake and suicidal if Political gladiators and religious leaders in the zone wish them away with impunity. The way forward: People of Southern Zone should reconcile the ethnic groups in the district and those in other Zones of the State and rebuild confidence in the gubernatorial project. The zone should also implement power-sharing in their wards and local governments as part of the rejuvenation of thrust that existed between their ethnic groups in the past. What is good for the goose is equally for the gander. The zone should not close their doors or gates against their perceived enemies. Reconciliation with their Muslim brothers in all areas of ethno- religious conflicts in the district and other districts should be paramount. Most importantly, the zone must extent their hands of fellowship and friendship to people in other senatorial districts, as failure to do that, will spell doom to the perceived ambition of the zone. The Jukun man must learn to embrace the Tiv man as his brother, the Fulanis and Hausas must do same to both Tivs and Jukuns. The zone must also caution their political gladiators against making galling and childish statements. The southern zone must make political friends across other senatorial zones. Thuggery and grandiloquency will not give them the governorship position. Their cantankerous and loquacious nature will lead nowhere. What they should be doing is extending hands of friendship to people of other zones. They have the brains and wherewithal to rule this state. It is not late. However, this is just my personal opinion.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 05:12:35 +0000
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