The Mumuye Cultural Development Association Youth Wing, MCDAYW, has voiced strong opposition to speculations surrounding a possible replacement of Taraba State deputy governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali.
They warned that such a move, if carried out without fairness and due consultation, would have serious political repercussions.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Ezekiel H. Augustine, and the National Secretary, Wilfred William Vilaana, the group described the alleged plan as “a calculated insult” to the Mumuye people and vowed to resist any attempt to remove the deputy governor through what they termed an unjust or politically motivated process.
They declared full support for an earlier statement issued by their parent body, the Mumuye Cultural Development Association, MCDA, which condemned the perceived political sidelining of the Mumuye ethnic group regarded as the largest in the state.
“The Mumuye people remain, without doubt, the largest ethnic group in Taraba State.
“Yet, we continue to suffer political exclusion due to our peaceful and accommodating nature, which is too often mistaken for weakness, the largest ethnic group in Taraba State,” the statement read.
The youth group cited a recent by-election as a case in point, claiming that Dr. David Ishaya, a Mumuye indigene, was pressured to step down for Sadiq Abbas Njidda, and that the group was also compelled to support another candidate against Innocent Umaru Jabanya.
Both scenarios, they said, were neither acknowledged nor reciprocated by the ruling party.
“The wound from that injustice is still fresh and troubling in our hearts,” they stated.
The group, however, noted that if the deputy governor must be replaced due to legitimate concerns such as health or incapacitation, then the position should remain with the Mumuye people, regardless of which local government the replacement is drawn from.
“Anything short of this will be seen as a deliberate marginalization and will not be taken lightly.
“We shall withdraw our loyalty from the PDP and realign with a platform that values our contributions and is ready to offer genuine partnership in governance,” the statement warned.
The youths also called on governor Agbu Kefas and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to act with fairness and caution, stressing that the Mumuye people “are not second class citizens in Taraba State.”
