Taraba Youths Call For Ministerial Nomination From Taraba Central Zone

A group of youths from Taraba Central has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to choose the ministerial nominee for the state from the Central Zone.

Addressing journalists after a stakeholders meeting in Gombe, a member of APC 2023 Presidential Campaign Committee Malam Bayero Lawal said Taraba Central though possesses a high number of qualified men for ministerial appointment, yet it has not been given the opportunity since the commencement of the current political dispensation.

"From 1999 to date Taraba has produced 11 Ministers in 24 years yet, Taraba central has never got one. Records of ministerial appointments in Taraba State have shown that from 1999-2023 eleven ministers were appointed from Taraba State with seven from the Southern Zone and 4 from Northern Zone while the Central Zone had nothing," he said.

Lawal said the nomination of minister from Taraba State has divided the people especially the members and supporters of the APC adding that the argument for the ministerial position is that it should be given to the Zone that is marginalized for 24 years which is the Central Zone.

"Many political observers believe that if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appoints a minister from the Central Zone, it will boost APC chances of capturing Taraba in 2027. To appoint a minister from the Central Zone needs an active person particularly a grassroot mobilizer who has the experience, support, capacity and capability for party politics and commitment," he said.

He said that ministerial positions are not only a constitutional matter in Nigeria but also a matter that requires highly political decisions of the party at the center. 

"In Taraba State one of the major considerations in appointment of minister is zoning apart from the person's contributions to the victory of his/her party. In the just concluded 2023 general elections many political actors have played different roles to ensure the victory of the All Progressives Congress in all the elections. However, in the spirit of justice and fairness, we believe the slot should go to Taraba Central this time around just as the presidency of our party was also zoned to the south," he said.