By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
A youth group, Youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria Northern Taraba chapter, has dissociated from a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria Taraba State.
Our correspondent reports that, a group, concerned Mumuye Youths, in collaboration with the Mumuye Youth Cultural Development Association, had last week in a press conference, passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of CAN Taraba State, led by Rev. Magaji Jirapye over CAN’s endorsement of Hon. Sadiq Abas Tafida, candidate of the Peoples Democratic party, for the Jalingo Yorro and Zing federal house of Representative by-election.
In a press statement issued to journalists on Sunday, and signed by the YOWICAN chairman Zephaniah Yabung, expressed that the Mumuye Youths were acting base on political interest that does not portray the healthy future of Jalingo Yorro and Zing constituents.
“We want to inform the whole world that we have total trust and confidence in the leadership of CAN Taraba state. The vote of no confidence passed on (CAN), by the Mumuye Youths, in collaboration with the Mumuye Youth Cultural Development Association is just a mere political script acting.
“In as much as CAN will not want to join issues with politically sponsored groups in order not to overheat the polity and widen gaps of division along ethnic and religious lines in Taraba, we want to state categolicaly that the leadership of CAN in Taraba state is focus, and is doing it’s best for the interest of peace and development in Taraba.
“The Mumuye Cultural Development Association as a body, has both Christian and Muslim members. Coming to speak against CAN for endorsing a Muslim candidate is an indication that the Muslim members of the Mumuyes are not value. When CAN openly endorse Hon. Innocent Jabayang after due consultations, where were the Mumuye Youths who are speaking today? We wish to inform the world that CAN decision to withdraw support for Hon. Jabayang was not taking just within the CAN cycle. The candidate in question was in the know of the events leading to the withdrawal of the support. We wish to also state here that CAN will always protect the interest of Christians. The support for Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida of the PDP is also for the future interest of Christians in Taraba.
“We want to state here clear that the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency is not only made up of the Mumuye people. The Mumuye Youth should be conscious of the fact that playing tribal and religious politics at this critical time will be a dangerous precedence that will be difficult to curtail in the days ahead. We expect the Youth Wing of the Mumuye Cultural Development Association to look beyond this bye-election and play politics that will be beneficial to all in the constituency.
“We wish to commend Dr. Agbu Kefas for his excellent leadership style so far in Taraba, and appeal for more support for the government to succeed. We wish to also commend the security agencies for their roles in tracking down kidnappers and bandits terrorizing people in the state especially, the recent successes in Yorro, Zing, Takum, and Lau Local Government Areas,” The group stated.
