By Nahum Sule (Taraba State Correspondent, in Jalingo
The Taraba state government, on Tuesday, naccused The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), for inciting muslim in Taraba against the Christian over the issue of appointments.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 by the governor's media aide, Bala Dan Abu, the government said that "There is no doubt that some selfish politicians desperate to gain political power in 2023 have found a willing tool in Professor Ishaq Akintola and his Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) over which he presides as director. The game plan is to use the pedestal which MURIC offers to cause religious disharmony in Taraba State for the politicians to gain political advantage.
"Akintola was out again on Monday, as he had done several times recently, on his usual mission of inciting Muslims in Taraba against their Christian brothers and sisters, using appointments made by agencies of government as excuse. He has proved to be an expert in the deployment of lies as weapon of blackmail.
"Recently, he has sought to exploit the appointment of permanent secretaries by the Taraba State Government and also those of some officers of the Taraba State University, Jalingo, to portray His Excellency, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, as promoting the interests of Christians over and above that of Muslims".
The Taraba State Government said this is both ridiculous, mischievous and unexpected of a person who claims to be a follower of Allah. Describing Prof Akintola's diatribe as, expectedly, generated intense distaste among the people of the state, stating that it is obvious that he is fronting for some selfish politicians who are bent on taking over power at all costs in 2023, riding on the wings of unhealthy religious sentiments.
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According to the statement, "the Taraba State government under the watch of His Excellency, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku, has, since its inception, remained the best friend of the Muslims. It has always ensured that favours done to any religious group is replicated in the same quantum to the other.
"This very fair disposition of the administration has often earned Gov Ishaku commendation from the various Christian and Islamic groups in Taraba State. This is why Prof Akintola and his MURIC are largely ignored in Taraba State even with all the noise they are making over appointments".
"Gov Ishaku has never directly or indirectly been involved in any employment and promotion exercises apart from insisting and ensuring that there is a level playing field to produce the best results. Gov Ishaku's number one priority as chief executive of the state is peace among all ethnic and religious groups. He has never and will never do anything that will undermine his legacy of peace that has won him global acclaim".
"The government wishes to advise the good people of Taraba State to ignore those seeking to promote religious conflict in order to gain political power. The timing of Prof Akintola's wicked campaign shows that he is working for selfish and unpatriotic politicians who would rather wish the state well, are trying set it ablaze rather than for them to fail to win political power come 2023".
"The Government wishes to advise Tarabans to reject such politicians using religion to cause tension and conflict in the state", the statement said. NNL.
