Governor Ishaku’s Unfair Appointments At Taraba State University
Taraba Truth and Facts Editorial
In the past couple of months Governor Ishaku has come under fire by members of the Taraba Muslim council for marginalizing Muslims in appointments into various offices in the state civil service.
It is unfortunate that rather to disprove these accusation of marginalization, Governor Ishaku went ahead to literarily affirm it by the appointments in the state university.
Let it be clear to all and sundry that we in Taraba Truth and Facts are not holding brief for any religion or ethnic group on this and related matters.
Our primary concern is on the issue of justice and equity as enshrined in our constitution which is the ground norm of our laws. These provisions are placed there in reflection of our diversity as a country and to ensure that all ethnic and religious groups are given a sense of belonging. This is what gave rise to such agencies as the Federal Character Commission and which compels appointments in the public sector of Nigeria to consider this factor.
For a state like Taraba which is one of the most diverse with over fifty ethnic groups this provision ought to be of prime consideration in making appointments into the public service.
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Governor Darius Ishaku however has demonstrated quite clearly that he is unwilling to abide by the principle of fairness in his appointments. When this lack of fairness is pointed out to him he resorts to lame excuses of merit and accuses such people of planning to create religious and ethnic disharmony. But quite clearly by his insensitive appointments and lack of inclusion he is actually the guilty party in fomenting the very things he accuses others of doing.
It is quite unfortunate that Governor Ishaku has chosen to toe this path of disregard and marginalization of other groups in the state.
Governor Ishaku should remember, he was elected by people from all ethnic and religious groups in the State and having sworn by the constitution he owes it a bounden duty to see all as part of his administration. By neglecting this very necessity of the constitution from which he derives his legitimacy Governor Ishaku shows that he does not have the required temperament and disposition to occupy the position. Although he comes from the Jukun stock Governor Ishaku needs to be reminded that he was elected to rule over the whole of Taraba state and not the part he comes from.
His lop sided appointments in the state university is not just an affront to Taraba Muslims but also to Taraba Christians from other ethnic groups and the northern and central zones of the state who have also been excluded in the appointments at the university. This is setting a dangerous precedence which will likely set off unintended consequences for the future in a fractious state as Taraba. If this is allowed to go on the marginalization will not be about one religion alone in the state but other ethnic groups as well.
In the interest of equity, fairness and justice, Governor Ishaku should without further delay reconsider his unfair appointments at the state university to reflect the state’s diversity. All well-meaning sons and daughters of the state should rise and prevail on him to reverse it before it precipitates unnecessary feelings and actions capable of causing disaffection in the state.
