Law Maker challenges Gov. Ishaku to govern by rule of law
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Member representing Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency and Southern Taraba Senatorial District’s All Progressives Congress flag bearer for 2023 general elections, Honourable Danjuma Usman Shiddi MP, has challenged the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku to be guided by the rule of law and the spirit of the oath of office he took and pay all the outstanding salaries of staff members of Taraba State University as well as other civil servant owed salaries in the state for several months.
The the Federal Law maker in a press release issued in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, stated that as a citizen of Taraba and Federal Lawmaker, he had been following the unfolding events in various parts of the State, particularly as it affects the payment of salaries, pensions and welfare of civil servants in the State over the years and was dismayed over the labour impasse on months of backlog of unpaid salaries of both academic and non-academic staff of Taraba State University.
Hon. Danji SS stated that he had watched with deep concern clips, video footages and pictures of a protest by students of Taraba State University, on non-payment of salaries of academic and non-academic staff of the institution which stalled their examination initially billed to commence on Monday January 9, 2023. The situation which he said, was inevitable if the leadership of the state had listened to the staff and students of the University and had done the needful.
“We witnessed another shameful but evitable incidence which started from the state owned university and spread across major routes in Jalingo metropolis
“It is noteworthy that what started peacefully with genuine demands, unfortunately turned sour in some instances and resulted into the use of unwarranted force by some suspected thugs and miscreants on some of the students protesters. The aftermath of the use of brute force on the protesters have unfortunately sent waves of intimidation and harassment of defenseless and unarmed students.
“I join the staff, students and other well-meaning Tarabans in condemning the use of unwarranted force by some suspected thugs and miscreants on some peaceful protesters and also condemn in its entirety the wave of intimidation and harassment currently going on in Taraba State which is at variance with the rule of law in a democracy”. He added.
While on the governor to heed all shades of valuable advice on the matter, Hon. Shidi emphasized that the governor should pay the university staff, all civil servants, and pensioners across the State their salaries and entitlements to enable the staff and students return to their beats, take their exams and continue teaching and learning in the best interest of the State and social stability.
He also charged security agencies to act swiftly in guaranteeing the safety of protesters now and in the future.
Hon. Shidi appealed to other highly provoked staff and students of the TSU to eschew violence and remain civil in pressing home their demands and be assured that as a stakeholder in the State and National Assembly member, he would remain committed to ensuring their entitlements are given to them and rights are well protected even as he encouraged Nigerian leaders to take a cue from other countries of the world which operate within the ambit of global best practices and show decorum in managing legitimate demands of citizens.
