The Taraba Central Zone Youth Coalition for Peace, Justice and Social Development, has expressed dissatisfaction with the continuous marginalization of Taraba Central senatorial zone of Taraba State by successive governments in the selection of Ministers from the State since the emergence of democracy in 1999.
During a press interaction, Alhaji Bakari Dorofi, the group’s leader, raised concerns over the pattern, pointing out that out of the eleven Ministers appointed from Taraba State since 1999, seven originated from the Southern senatorial district, four from the Northern senatorial district, while the Central senatorial zone has not produced any.
As a result, the Kenaf and Other Natural Fibre Plants Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has proposed Hon. Babangida Nguroje, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Director, Former Parliamentarians, North-East of the defunct Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, as a potential Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Hon. Nguroje comes from Taraba Central senatorial district.
The association’s national president, Hassan Abubakar, wrote a letter to President Tinubu on June 9, 2023, recommending Hon. Nguroje, describing him as a trustworthy politician with the necessary experience to make significant contributions to the Nigeria of their collective dream under President Tinubu.
Dorofi, on his part, stressed that the marginalization reflects gross injustice, asserting that the Central Zone remains the political stronghold of the APC in Taraba State, consistently delivering votes to the party.
According to him, “Gentlemen, let me bring your attention to a distressing situation that has persisted since the advent of Democracy in 1999. We have had Eleven Ministers from Taraba since 1999 till date, with Seven of them coming 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, namely 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, the Central Zone, which has become the home of APC in Taraba State, is yet to produce a single Minister. Let me remind you that the majority of votes for the APC in Taraba, both at state and federal elections, come from Taraba Central Zone.
“I would also like to remind everyone that the central zone was the first geopolitical zone in the state to align with the All Progressives Congress APC and has consistently provided the highest votes for all presidential elections since 2015.
“Based on our analysis, the Central Zone has already produced an APC Senator for two terms, (Sen. Abubakar Yusuf), and we are presently the only zone in the state with 4 APC members in the State House of Assembly. The figures speak for themselves, as we gave the highest votes in the recent presidential election in the state,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further added, “The people have reasons for voting, and if their aspirations are not met, they may grow tired of participating in future elections. It is our sincere hope and prayer that our esteemed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will break this cycle and duly reward this Zone by considering one of our sons for the Ministerial position in the interest of justice and fairness.”