The Taraba State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party NNPP, Hon. Abdullahi Ade on Thursday reiterated that the party would no doubt retrieve its alleged stolen mandate of victory in the 2023 governorship election.


Ade was speaking to our Correspondent in Jalingo as the Election Petition Tribunal sitting at mile six of Jalingo, the state capital commenced hearings of cases before it.


He said the good people of Taraba State irrespective of religion or ethnic inclination have massively voted for their party, the NNPP during the 18th March 2023 governorship election and became victorious but alleged that the mandate was stolen by the People’s Democratic Party PDP, a reason, he said led them to approach the tribunal.


“We are very optimistic that the court judgment will be in our favor because I so much believe that the judges are competent and I also believe they will do justice. We don’t need a favor from anybody except God, therefore, I believe the judges will look at our complaints and work on them and deliver their judgment. Everybody knows that our gubernatorial candidate, Prof. Muhammed Sani Yahaya was the winner of the election.


“I am also aware that even if we win the case at the tribunal they, the PDP will head to the appeal, so also we too, if they win at the tribunal we will also move on to the appeal up to the Supreme Court, it is only from the Supreme Court that whoever wins, one has to hands up and join the other for the development of Taraba State which is our priority.


“Therefore, am calling on all our supporters in the state to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding citizens, they should allow us to continue following the legal channels and retrieve their mandate but there should not be any broken law and order from anybody because Nigeria has a constitution and we are patriotic Nigerians who will not allow anything to temper with the laws of the land,” Hon. Ade emphasized.


The NNPP state Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Ade also reaffirmed their loyalty and support to the National leader of the party, Engr. Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.


He said that there will be no retreat, no surrender in the Kwankwasiyya movement until he, Kwankwaso becomes the President of Nigeria in 2027.


“Kwankwaso is a great grassroots Politician who believes in keeping Nigeria one by ensuring equity, fairness, unity, and justice. Because if you look at Kano, it has a population of about five states but he was able to secure the state for the NNPP unless very few political elective seats that with his support other parties were able to win,” Hon. Ade revealed.


When asked about their preparation for the re-run election for the Jalingo, Yerro, Zing Federal Constituency seat which a date is yet to be fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Hon. Ade first, described the death of the member-elect who won the election under the platform of PDP, Late Hon. Sama’ila Maihanchi as a great loss and pray God to grant him Aljannatul Firdausi.


“The Late Member-elect was a young dogged and courageous politician, and he won the House of Representatives election because of his kindness and good relationship with people but that seat as everyone is aware is always for the opposition, and we are fully prepared to win the election because it belongs to NNPP, God’s willing,” Hon. Ade expressed optimism.


Following the death of the member-elect who was to represent Jalingo, Yerro, Zing Federal Constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Late Hon. Isma’ila Yusha’u Maihanchi many politicians are warming up to join the race for the bye-election.


Late Maihanci who won the election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was born on October 22, 1986, and died on Saturday 22 April 2023, aged 36.


Recalled that the deceased unseated the incumbent House of Representatives member, Hon. Kasimu Maigari who was elected in 2019.


Among that who are ready and seeking the support of the people of the constituency is Hon. Ibrahim Baba G popularly known as (Abacha) of the All Progressives Congress APC in Taraba State.


Abacha is a golden fish that needs no introduction but for the outside world, he was born in 1977 into a family of Late Malam Baba and Late Hajiya Talatu Baba in Jalingo, Turaki ‘A’ Ward popularly known as Unguwar Gadi, Mohammed Nya Street Jalingo.


He started Western education at Mohammed Nya Primary School Jalingo, a Junior secondary school in Jalingo, and later got admission for an Exchange program in Jigawa state where he obtained Secondary School leaving certificate in 1988.


He attended the College of Agriculture Jalingo where he obtained a Diploma and later proceeded to the Taraba State University Jalingo and obtained a Degree in Political Science (B.sc Pol Science Education).


Hon. Ibrahim Baba G, however, worked at Government House Jalingo for the former Governors Rev. Jolly Nyame, and Late Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, and also served as a Special Adviser to the former Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar (UTC) on Protocols.


Abacha who contested for the Taraba State House of Assembly in the past is also out again now to contest for the Jalingo, Yerro, Zing Federal Constituency for quality representation and his slogan is “POLITICS WITHOUT BITTERNESS”.


In a chat with our Correspondent in Abuja, Hon. Abacha said though the death of the late member-elect came to him with a great shock, described it as a big loss not only to the family but the state as a whole.


“The death of my Brother, late Isma’ila Yusha’u Maihanchi is a great loss to the entire state because he was a man of the people, a philanthropist who carried everyone along and God’s willing I will do more on what he has been doing to the people even though we are not in the same party but it is good to say the good things that someone has done.


“So, if elected, I want to assure my constituents, the good people of Jalingo, Yerro, and Zing that I will be a good representative for them by ensuring that all the constituent’s projects would be executed among other things,” he added.


Hon. Baba G also promised to work in the interest of his Constituency and Taraba State in particular.


He, however, vowed to support laws that would improve the living standard of the people as well as good governance in Nigeria.


Hon. Abacha Ibrahim further expressed optimism that if given the mandate by the good people of his constituency, he will join hands with like-mind legislators to make the 10th National Assembly more productive and sponsor laws that would transform Nigeria as a nation.