Inside Muslim Council Alleged Marginalization: 'How Gov Ishaku Appointed 13 Perm Secs Without Single Muslim'
Taraba State Muslim Council has cried out over what it describes as marginalization against the Muslim Ummah in the state by the Governor Ishaku's led administration.
The Muslim Council in Taraba State decried what it describes as high level of discrimination against the Muslim Ummah in the state by the state Governor Darius Ishaku in appointment and other benefits in the state.
The Chairman of the Council Rtd Kadi Abdulmin Abubakar who addressed a Press conference in Jalingo, said that efforts to get the government to correct the ugly trend have not yielded any results as the governor has continued to turn a deaf ear to their calls.
"The Council has noted with sadness and dismay the gradual purging of Muslims at all levels of governance and civil service by the current administration of His Excellency Governor Darius Ishaku as the governor of Taraba state.
"The Council has resisted adding her voice to public discourse about the insidious Marginalization against the Muslim Ummah in Taraba state by the Governor Ishaku-led administration.
"Several attempts by the council to redress the unfortunate situation seem to fall on deaf ears. In fact the governor even seems emboldened and has continued on the path to cleanse all Muslims from the scheme of affairs.
"Last year, Muslim Right Council (MURIC) issued a press statement to this effect that the Muslims in Taraba state are been Marginalized. The renowned Muslim organization drew the attention of the government to redress the issue as all exclusive tactics of governance can only breed hatred, disunity, instability and lack of peace and suspicious coexistence.
"Recently, twelve Permanent Secretaries were appointed and none of them is a Muslim, despite the presence of very senior directors among the Muslim population in the state Civil Service. Laid down procedures for employment in civil service are no longer followed in Taraba state.
"Right now, no Muslim heads any of the three arms of government in the state, Speaker Taraba State House of Assembly, the Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff are all Christians. All the state owned tertiary institutions as well as media two organizations are all headed by Christians" he said.
Abubakar said that the Muslim Ummah was highly concerned about how the present administration has deliberately neglected the Taraba State Sharia Court of Appeal by refusing to appoint more Kadis since the demise of the Grand Kadi last year leaving the Court with only Two Kadis which does not form a quorum for sitting.He called on the governor on behalf of the Council to "stop running the government with favoritism and make his administration an inclusive one that recognizes the diversity of the people of the state and promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among the people in compliance with the provisions of the law and the Oath of office he took".
Abubakar said that after all the efforts, if the government fails to change and do the needful, the Council will have no option but to explore other options to ensure compliance.
ALLEGATION OF BIAS AGAINST MUSLIMS IN TARABA STATE IN APPOINTMENTS UNFAIR, RIDICULOUS AND AN ATTEMPT TO CAUSE SOCIAL UPHEAVAL
ReplyDeleteThe allegation of bias against Muslims in Taraba State made by the Muslim Council in the state against the administration of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku at a press conference on Friday, January 21, 2022, in Jalingo is false, ridiculous and a blatant attempt to cause religious and political tension in the state.
First of all, the Muslims Council of Taraba State took the wrong step in channelling their complaints of the so- called marginalisation of Muslims in appointments.
The option of a press conference which the Council took to vent it's complainants was clearly wrong, given the level of mutual respect and understanding enjoyed so far by the Council and His Excellency, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku since the coming of the administration. It is, therefore, surprising that the Council would opt to embarrass the Governor by calling a press conference instead of seeking audience with him to discuss the issues.
Gov Ishaku finds this step taken by the Council not only unfair and inappropriate but a repudiation of the existing mutual understanding and cooperation between him and the Muslim Council in the state.
It is clear that the Council bowed to the temptation and the desperation to win public sympathy for an obviously unfounded allegation by going to the press rather than seek audience with His Excellency to discuss the issues.
Government wishes to state categorically that the allegation of marginalisation of Muslims in Taraba State is false, unfounded and an attempt to distract the administration and cause religious and political tention in the state, especially now that the process for the nomination of candidates for election into political offices are about to start.
The Ishaku administration totally rejects this unpatriotic attempt and insists that it, at no time, exhibited bias against any group in the state, whether religious or ethnic, in appointments and in the provision of amenities.
Rather, it followed very strictly, constitutional provisions and all the other existing statutory guidelines in appointments to key positions in government.
The administration has been fair in the application of these rules and ensured that sentiments played no role.
The government hereby assures all groups and the entire people of Taraba State that it remains committed to equity, justice and fairness in appointments and in the provision of amenities to the people. It also assures the people that its doors remain open to those with genuine complaints against decisions and actions of government to come forward and table them rather than resorting to blackmail to win public support and sympathy.
BALA DAN ABU
Special Adviser to the Governor (Media and Publicity).
But his submission did not debunk the fact of the appointment of the 12 permanent secretaries in the state.
DeleteThe came with facts and figures, has he debunk any? This government is insensitive to the plight of the people.