Chief Teghtegh Shaakaa
COMMUNITY LEADER HAILS AGBU KEFAS’ VICTORY, SAYS IT’S A NEW VISTA OF HOPE
By Sesugh Ababya, Jalingo
A PDP stalwart and Chairman Forum of Taraba State Tiv Political Appointees, Chief Tegh Shaakaa, has described the Lt. Col Kefas Agbu’s victory as Governor -elect under the platform of the PDP as a vista of hope for a better Taraba State.
The elder statesman, spoke exclusively to our reporter at his home town, Donga, in Donga LGA of Taraba State, soon after declaration of the election result.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Col Kefas Agbu (Rtd) of the People’s Democratic Party PDP as winner of the last weekend’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
According to the result as declared by the Taraba State returning officer, Professor Muhammed Ahmed Abdulazeez, Agbu pulled a total of two hundred and fifty-seven million, nine hundred and twenty-six (257926) votes to defeat his two closest rivals, Professor Sani Yahaya of New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP who pulled Two million, two hundred and seventy-seven votes and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha of APC who pulled one hundred and forty-two million, five hundred and twenty-seven votes.
Chief Shaakaa, told our reporter that with Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas on board as the next Governor of Taraba State, another chapter of hope for a more prosperous, economically vibrant and better Taraba State is opened. According to him, the retired military officer has an impressive wealth of experience, which he will utilise for the common good of the people of the state.
‘Governance is a continuous process. We are very confident that the Governor elect will consolidate on the achievements that the Governor Darius Ishaku led administration has made on the state’s socio-economic landscape and take the state to greater height. He is a young man, full of energy and ideas. Before now, he was tested in many leadership capacities and he has proved his worth. If he can do it for people in other states, nothing will stop him from doing it for us in Taraba.
‘Having a leader of his mould in this auspicious time in the history of our state is a blessing that we should all appreciate. The next thing that is required is to give him the needed support to enable him succeed. He told our reporter.
On what the emergence of a Governor of Jukun ethnic extraction portent to the future of the Tiv people in state, especially that some are still walloping in refugee camps, the community leader said Agbu Kefas has what it’s takes to nib the crisis from the bud. He reiterated that genuine reconciliation and permanent solution to the agelong Tiv-Jukun crisis will only come from the Tiv and Jukun people themselves.
‘That is why some of us are protagonists of Tiv support for Jukun and vice versa, in whatever progressive situation. Look at our closeness, in terms of settlements and cultural similarities. We cluster ourselves in communities. We attend same schools, markets, fetch water in same streams, wells and enjoy many natural benefits amongst ourselves. Anything that happens to a Jukun man affects a Tiv man directly or indirectly and vice versa.
‘It’s on this basis that over the years, I’ve been on the fore front of sensitising our Tiv and Jukun brothers that they should close their ranks, minimize their differences and operate together, in spite of all odds. The Almighty God who created us to live together under the same geographical environment knows the purpose. As an elder, it is my obligation to tell the younger generation the truth. That is why I never relented in my efforts.
‘There is nothing that God cannot do using some individuals. Therefore, I’m confident that God is going to use this vessel, the Governor-elect and solve, not only the agelong Tiv-Jukun crisis, but other crisis in the state that seemed to have defiled solution.’ He added..
Chief Shaakaa called all other Governorship contestants who lost in the election to sheath their swords and embrace the winner, the Governor elect, Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas and work together for the best interest of the state.
