By John Emmanuel
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state has been accused of playing politics with the lives of internally displace persons (IDPs) in the state.
The PDP led government of the state was alleged to have diverted 900 metric tons of grains meant to be distributed to IDPs in the state for local government election campaigns in neigbouring Adamawa state.
The member representing Bali/Gassol federal constituency of Taraba state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Garba Chede disclosed this yesterday in an interview in Abuja.
Hon. Chede, while expressing his displeasure with Governor Ishaku for his refusal to release grains to the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, who was in the state last week to coordinate the flag-off of the distribution of grains in the state, accused the state government of insensitivity towards the plight of IDPs in the state. He criticised the state government for disrespecting the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari and playing politics with the lives of the IDPs who are living in a critical condition.
“I accompanied the Minister of Women Affairs to Taraba state to flag off the distribution of grains to IDPs in the state, but we were surprised that the state government refused to release the materials which has been in their possession for fourteen days before our arrival. Though there were rumours that they have sold the grains to come to Adamawa state to buy some votes for local government elections,” he stated.
Even though the state government had earlier released a press statement alleging breach of protocol and apparent disregard for constituted authority by the minister in the process of carrying out the assignment as directed by the president, Hon. Chede who made available copy of a letter addressed to the deputy governor of Taraba state by the minister of women affairs requesting the release of 10,000 MT of maize for onward distribution to IDPs, insisted that the minister and her entourage had duly notified the state government of its activities in the state.
“According to them, the minister did not go to bow to the state government. We said even because of the respect of the president, he is supposed to release them to the minister and may be tell her we are not happy with your behaviour for not showing courtesy”.
In a press statement signed by the senior special assistant media and publicity to the governor, Sylvanus Y. Garba, the state government expressed “dismay at the attitude of the minister of women affairs and social development Mrs. Aisha Jummai Alhassan who arrived Jalingo , the state capital on 29th, July 2016 on official assignment without formally communicating the state government, which is a breach of protocol and disregard for constituted authority”.
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