BARR JIME HAILS COURT JUDGMENT, DRUMS TIV’S SUPPORT FOR KEFAS
From Musa Yusuf
A Jalingo based legal practitioner, Barrister Jime Yongo has lauded the Supreme Court judgment that finally returned Governor Agbu Kefas as the duly elected Governor of Taraba State. He also called on his kinsmen; the Tiv people of Taraba State to be unrelenting in their support for the Governor Agbu Kefas led administration.
He spoke in an exclusive chat with our reporter soon after the landmark judgment.
Recall that the Supreme Court on Thursday, January 24, upheld the judgment of the appeal court, which ruled in favour of Governor Agbu Kefas, as the winner of the last Governorship election in Taraba State.
While congratulating the Governor on the judgment, Barrister Jime Yongo, who is also the Secretary of the Tiv Peace Advocacy Group, Taraba State, as well as a PDP stalwart, said it is not a small achievement for a man to win all his cases from the election tribunal up to Supreme Court.
“I’m a lawyer of about 30 years post bar experience; I know what it means by winning cases, especially of such a huge political interest, from the tribunal to Supreme Court. There is no better way to prove that is was nothing but a credible election that symbolises the wish of the people of the state. Therefore, congratulating His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas at this moment in time is the best thing to do” He said.
He called on the aggrieved parties in the governorship battle to lay down their arms and join forces with the Governor Agbu Kefas led-administration for the common good of the state. The lawyer reiterated the leadership virtues of Agbu Kefas and concluded that he has all its takes to make Taraba a better place.
“Now, the governor will have a stable peace of mind to go on with his activities, by administering the state with the rule of law and give Tarabans what they deserve.
“I urge the NNPP governorship candidate Professor Muhammad Sani Yahaya in particular, to embrace His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas, for the common good, and for the peace and development of the state”.
Barrister Jime described as needless, the renewed tension between the Tiv and Jukun in the Wukari Local Government of the state, even as he cautioned his kinsmen, to desist from any violent activity, no matter the circumstances. He advised the displaced people in the Southern part of Taraba State to be patient with the new government, noting that it’s not possible for Government to do everything at the same time.
“I wish to use this medium to call on my people to be law abiding no matter the circumstances. They should distance themselves from any activity that will bring about breakdown of law and order. I urge our IDPs to be patient and look onto Governor Agbu Kefas. All we need now as a people, is to give the Governor our total support so that he can stabilize his administration and fulfil his promises. They should not take laws into their hands.
“Do not forget that the Governor is coming out from a prolonged legal battle. As a lawyer, I know what it means. It’s not an easy task. “The Governor has promised to make Taraba a better state for all. This is not just a promise but a declaration. Based on his antecedents we ought to have known by now that the Governor is a man of his words and I believe in his capacity to do just that. Therefore, we should be patient, give him a chance and support his administration so that he will fulfil his ambition of making Taraba, a better place for all.” He said.
Barrister Yongo commended the efforts of Governor Agbu Kefas, in the areas of human and infrastructural development, especially in the education reforms, infrastructural projects and security. He also applauded the Governor’s drive for investors, which he said is a sure way of boosting the economic prospects of the state.
He admonished Tarabans not to be mere spectators of the present administration, but to actively contribute their quota, by supporting the administration of governor Agbu Kefas so that the collective aspiration for a better Taraba will be achieved with ease.
Barrister Jime Yongo, a lawyer, politician and peace advocate hails from Chinkai village, Kente ward of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
